The best cycling routes around Saint-Boil

Peaceful village with a lake and campsite, a detour that is worth it.

The completely car-free "Green Way" leads over around 70 kilometers from Chalon-sur-Saône to Mâcon. The path winds through picturesque vineyards (Côte Chalonnaise), past medieval villages like Saint-Gengoux-le-National, historic castles, and Romanesque architecture. On the route, you will pass the historic town of Cluny with its famous, thousand-year-old abbey. Near Cluny, you will cross the longest tunnel in Europe open to cyclists, at 1.6 km (note the winter closure for bat protection). Together with the parallel river route Voie Bleue along the Saône, the route can be combined into a fantastic 145 km circular tour (Grande Boucle de Bourgogne du Sud).

The station no longer serves trains. The historic site has been transformed into a vibrant leisure zone (Aire de loisirs de la gare). The building is located directly on the Voie Verte de Bourgogne du Sud, a well-known 77 km cycle path on a former railway line. Travelers will find a bicycle rental service for regular and electric bikes, a tool station for repairs, picnic tables, public restrooms, and a children's playground. It also serves as a starting point for excursions, for example to the nearby Château de Cormatin.

The Crainseny Viaduct (French: Viaduc de Crainseny) is a historic railway bridge in the south of the Côte Chalonnaise region. The viaduct was built in 1882. It has a total length of 246 meters, spans the valley at a height of around 23 meters, and features a distinctive curve with a radius of 400 meters. The masonry bridge consists of 16 elegant round arches, each with a span of 12 meters. Originally, the railway ran here on the Étiveau-Montchanin line, connecting the towns of Saint-Gengoux-le-National and Montchanin. Train services were discontinued in 1969.

The imposing church was originally built in the 12th century by the monks of the Abbey of Cluny. It officially belongs to the Cluniac sites and is on the candidate list for UNESCO World Heritage. The building combines different architectural eras. While the striking transept and the octagonal bell tower date from the Romanesque era, the three-aisled choir visible in the background shows Gothic features. A central eye-catcher in the sanctuary is the large, colorful neo-Gothic church window, which casts a soft light into the elongated interior. Along the mighty pillars of the nave, detailed sculptures and reliefs on the capitals can be seen in the foreground.

The recreational facility is located directly on the popular Voie Verte de Bourgogne du Sud, a scenic cycling route on a former railway line. The area offers numerous amenities for cyclists, hikers, and families: There are several shaded picnic tables and benches in a green setting. Directly at the old train station, there is a bicycle rental for classic bicycles and e-bikes, as well as a small repair station. A children's playground with 15 play structures, installed in April 2024, provides entertainment for younger visitors. Public toilets, a water point, and a large, free car park are available.

The chapel, built in the 15th century on a hill opposite the castle, consists of two parts: the first part has a semicircular vault, the second, the choir, a ribbed vault. Sculptural decorations can be seen, some of which originate from pilgrims on the Way of St. James. The chapel was restored in the 19th century. It was originally built for Jean Joly.

The entire structure originally dates from the 15th century and was altered in the 16th or 17th century. In the 17th or 18th century, a portico and an upper gallery with semicircular arches were added, accessible via a rectangular stair tower on the west side.