The best road cycling routes around Saint-Maurice-De-Satonnay

The Tour des Fromages is a preserved defensive tower from the 11th century, which originally belonged to the ramparts of the powerful Abbey of Cluny. In the Middle Ages, the structure was still called Tour des Fèves (Bean Tower), as supplies were stored there. It got its current, curious name in the 19th century because a merchant used the tower to dry her homemade cheeses. Today, the tower is a popular attraction. Visitors can climb the 120 steps to the top. From up there, you have a beautiful 360-degree panoramic view over the entire medieval monastic city and the surrounding Burgundy landscape. Access to the tower is directly through the local Cluny tourist office.

Magnificent view, which is worth the climb. Unfortunately, the refreshment stop was closed.

The abbey was founded in 910 by Duke William I of Aquitaine. In the Middle Ages, Cluny was the starting point of a huge monastic reform (the "Cluniac Reforms"). At its peak in the 11th and 12th centuries, around 1,500 monasteries and over 20,000 monks throughout Europe were under its jurisdiction. The main church of the abbey (Cluny III or Major Ecclesia), over 187 meters long, was the largest house of worship in Christendom until St. Peter's Basilica in Rome was built. During the French Revolution, the monastery was closed. Under Napoleon's rule, the gigantic church was almost completely demolished and used as a quarry. Today, only about 8% of the original vast complex remains.

Although the pass is located in France and is not extremely high, its name translates to "Siberia Pass". The name goes back to the often very cold, snow-rich winds and the harsh weather conditions in winter.

Mont Saint-Romain is a 579-meter-high mountain in the Mâconnais mountains above the picturesque valley of Blanot. From the summit, you have a comprehensive 360-degree view. To the west, you look out over the hills of Clunisois, and to the east, over the Saône valley. In very clear weather, the view extends to the Alps and Mont Blanc. On the roof of the local Auberge, there is a distinctive, historic orientation table, which was erected in 1948 by the Touring-Club de France. Directly at the viewpoint, a small Auberge (mountain inn) with an outdoor terrace invites you to stop for a break.

The Saint-Laurent Bridge (Pont Saint-Laurent) is a historic stone bridge that spans the Saône River. It connects the town of Mâcon in the Saône-et-Loire department with the municipality of Saint-Laurent-sur-Saône in the Ain department. Initial wooden structures were already built by the Romans. The current stone bridge dates back to the 11th century in its core and is considered the oldest bridge over the Saône. The structure consists of twelve stone arches. On one of the pillars, there is a statue of Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of boatmen. It is one of the few historic structures in the region that survived the demolitions of World War II unscathed.

The Château de Cormatin is a magnificent early 17th-century water castle. The castle was built between 1606 and 1625 by the Marquises d'Huxelles. It houses the best-preserved state rooms from the time of Louis XIII in all of France. Famous are the "Gilded Rooms" (Salles Dorées) with lavish paintings, sculptures, and gold leaf ceilings. The extensive grounds, covering approximately 12 hectares, are among the most beautiful gardens in France. Highlights in the outdoor area include a large boxwood maze, an open-air baroque theatre, water features, and a historic vegetable garden.

The Col des Enceints is a mountain pass in the French region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (Département Saône-et-Loire) with a summit elevation of 529 meters. The pass is located in the Mâconnais mountains (Monts du Mâconnais) near the municipality of Bourgvilain. It is a popular route, especially among cyclists and hikers: For cyclists: The ascent from Pierreclos extends over approximately 4.3 kilometers with an elevation difference of about 257 meters and an average gradient of just under 6% (up to 12% at its steepest). For hikers: A moderate, approximately 8.5-kilometer circular hiking trail from Bourgvilain leads over the pass, among other routes, passing through forests and past small hamlets.