The best MTB trails around Chiddes

The historic Chapelle Saint-Laurent is located in the small hamlet of Collonges, which belongs to the municipality of Lournand. The origins of the chapel date back a long time and are estimated to be from before the year 900. For centuries, it was closely linked to the famous Abbey of Cluny, located only about 7 kilometers away. The building is located directly on the well-known long-distance hiking trail GR 76. For generations, it has served as a historic stopping point for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago and the Way of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Mont Saint-Cyr is located in southern Burgundy (Département Saône-et-Loire) in the municipality of Montmelard and, at 771 meters, is the highest point in the Mâconnais mountains. From the summit, there is a wide panoramic view of the surrounding landscapes of Charolais, Brionnais, and Clunisois. In very clear weather, the view to the east even extends to Mont Blanc in the Alps. On the mountain are the historical remains of a 10th-century monastery that was destroyed during the Huguenot Wars. There is a picnic area in the forest, as well as orientation panels that are helpful in identifying the surrounding peaks and valleys.

Mont Saint-Cyr is located in southern Burgundy (Saône-et-Loire department) in the municipality of Montmelard and, at 771 meters, is the highest point of the Mâconnais mountains. From the summit, there is a wide panoramic view of the surrounding landscapes of Charolais, Brionnais, and Clunisois. In very clear weather, the view extends eastwards to Mont Blanc in the Alps. On the mountain are the historical remains of a 10th-century monastery, which was destroyed during the Huguenot Wars. There is a picnic area in the forest as well as orientation panels that are helpful in identifying the surrounding peaks and valleys.

Château de Cormatin is a magnificent moated castle from the early 17th century. 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 opulent paintings, sculptures, and gilded ceilings. The extensive grounds, covering around 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.

In the Middle Ages, the abbey was one of the most influential spiritual and cultural centers in Europe. Cluny was the mother house of the Cluniac Reform and headed a federation of over 1,200 monasteries. The third abbey church (Cluny was the largest church in the Christian world until the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome). Of the once-mighty complex, only parts of the southern transept remain today, as the abbey was largely used as a quarry and demolished after the French Revolution.

The town of Cluny developed around the Benedictine monastery (Abbey of Cluny) founded in 910. The abbey was the origin and center of the Cluniac reform at the beginning of the 10th century. Cluny reached its peak membership at the beginning of the 12th century with about 400 monks. The last abbey church (Cluny 3) was the world's largest Romanesque basilica and, until the construction of the present-day St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the largest church in Christendom. The church had seven towers. Although large parts of the structure were destroyed, the remaining relics are absolutely remarkable and make a visit to Cluny an unforgettable experience!

The town of Cluny was based on the Benedictine monastery (Cluniac Abbey), founded in 910. The abbey was the starting point and center of the Cluniac reform at the beginning of the 10th century. Cluny reached its peak membership at the beginning of the 12th century with approximately 400 monks. The last abbey church (Cluniac 3) was the world's largest Romanesque basilica and, until the construction of today's St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the largest church in Christendom. The church had seven towers. Although large parts of the building were destroyed, the remaining relics are absolutely remarkable and make a visit to Cluny an unforgettable experience!

The residence of the Marquis d'Huxelles, built between 1606 and 1625, is home to the most sumptuous Louis XIII apartment preserved in France. Fireplaces, ceilings and wood panelling were painted, carved and gilded with sumptuous exuberance for the favourite of Queen Marie de Medici. Paintings, tapestries and period furniture complete this seductive evocation of "château life" at the time of the "Three Musketeers". The tour also reveals a monumental stone staircase (20 metres high), an 18th century kitchen and the opulent 1900s salons of an opera director. The garden, in the spirit of the Baroque period, offers 12 hectares of flowerbeds, a large boxwood labyrinth with aviary-belvedere, vegetable garden, green theatre, water features and remarkable trees.