The Saône et Loire department of Burgundy consists of six district areas the Autunois Morvan, Bresse Bourguignonne, Chalonnais, Charolais Brionnais, Le Creusot Montceau and Mâconnais Clunisois.
Each of these areas has their own particular attractions, so wherever you visit in the department there is something for everyone.
Southern Burgundy was identified as a prime habitable area 400,000 years ago when cave dwelling animals that were prey to our prehistoric ancestors inhabited the area that was to become the Saône et Loire.
The European continent was being roamed by major Celtic tribes 
and some decided to settle in the area; the Eduens in the Morvan and the Ambarres in the Bresse. The ancient city of Bibracte, which sits atop Mont Beuvray, was the birthplace of Vercingétorix who united the Gaul tribes in the battle against Caesar’s legions.
Following his victory over the Gauls at Alésia, Caesar showed lenience toward the Eduens with his construction of Augustodunum, the present day Autun, which was labelled ‘sister city and replica of Rome’ and was destined to become one of the principal capitals of the Gallo-Roman provinces of Gaul.
The Autonnois Morvan has at its centre the town of Autun. In August, an evening spectacle takes place in the Roman Theatre this year's spectacle takes place 3rd, 4th, 8th, 10th and 11th August and is about the life of the Gauls from Bibracte, the Éduens, and the battles led by Vercingétorix against Caesar.
Autun is a town that traverses centuries from the Gallo-Roman era to the modern day. The Hotel Saint Louis at Autun houses this Coffee Maker. 
The Roman Theatre is situated in the east of the old town, it was one of the largest in the Roman world and could seat 20,000 spectators; today it is used to house theatrical events.
In the north of the town is la Porte d'Arroux, at the end of the road that crosses the road north to south, there are two large arches for traffic and two smaller ones for pedestrians. 
At the eastern end of the town is the La Porte Saint-André that sits at the entrance to the road that crosses Autun east to west. On the edge of the river Arroux is the Temple of Janus and is one of the best conserved of its type in France. The Cathédrale Saint-Lazare dates from the 12th century and each year houses the festival 'Musique en Morvan' this year it takes place from the 19th to 25th July. If you get the opportunity to view Autun and its surroundings by hot air balloon; Air Escargot does early morning or lat evening flights from May to October.
The Bresse-Bourguigonne is situated on the East of the Saône et Loire, bordered by l’Ain and the Jura.
Capital of the Bresse Bourguignonne is Louhans, a small historic town on the riverside of the Seille, is listed as ‘the Loveliest Detour of France.’
The Bresse is famous for its poultry and every Monday morning the Bresse Poultry market takes place and is a meeting place for growers and customers; it is the fourth biggest agricultural market in France.
This restaurant is run by a Bresse born chef
The main street is lined with 157 Arcades and 400 metres in length. The 15th century house fronts, the church of Saint Pierre, with its glazed roof tiles, the ‘Balli’s House, the towers of Saint Pierre and Saint Paul, the old streets, courtyards, the 17th century Hôtel Dieu and its Pharmacy are what constitutes the Historical heart of Louhans.
Verdun sur le Doubs, where the Doubs and Saône rivers meet, is listed as a holiday resort thanks to the abundance of fish in the rivers that also attracts sailing enthusiasts.
The area is also famous for its cereal growing and the Ecomuseum shows the history of 700 years of cereal growing and 400 years of bread making. Other attractions are the church of Saint Jean, the Saint Jean Bridge and the timbered houses of the area.
The water-based activities can be enjoyed in the ponds and rivers scattered over the Bresse region. Anglers can catch carp, pike and black bass amongst other varieties and the river Seille that has 39 kms of navigable waterways between Louhans and La Trouchère, has its source in the foothills of the Jura.
As you cruise leisurely along the waterways and through four locks, you can admire the fauna and flora specific to the Bresse and you can stop to visit local artisans. The local traditional craft is chair making around Bantanges and Rancy (between Louhans and Cuisery). This craft is successful due to the plentiful natural materials of wood, grass and rye.
The Chalonnais main town is Chalon sur Saône, a vibrant town situated on the banks of the river Saône. Chalon has much tourism based on water with pleasure boats, floating hotels and small cruisers with 6000 boats a year passing through Chalon.
With attractive squares dotted with cafés and restaurants as well as cultural attractions Chalon sur Saône is a draw for an assortment of visitors.
The area around Chalon is rich in Châteaux, architecture, spiritual sites, parks, arts and crafts and vineyards. To taste the wines of the region visit Givry, Les Montagny and Rully. The villages have vineyards up to the back gardens and the vineyards are an integral part of the village life.
Charolais Brionnais is found in the south west of the Saône et Loire and is blessed with a varied landscape, which provides the visitor with an area in which they can truly relax producing the perfect terrain for the diverse attractions of the area.
The rivers l'Arroux, l'Arcouce, la Bourbince and L'Ourache that traverse the fields and pastures
eventually flow into the Loire. The wealth of water in the area produces the rich pastureland where the large, white Charolais cows are prevalent and from where the famous Charolais beef, originates.
Wooded hills, trails, rivers, ponds and lakes, historical sites to visit and flower filled villages with well-preserved heritage provide plenty of places for relaxation. It is also an area, which has a wealth of local produce, and artisans who work in wood, leather, glass, stone, iron, paint and textiles with views to international trade.
Le Creusot Montceau is one of Burgundy’s industrial hubs. By the area’s accessibility to water transport the two cities of Le Creusot and Montceau have grown on the abundant presence of coal. Traces of the Industrial Revolution can still be found as well as present day high technology businesses. Le Creusot is also the situation for the TGV to Paris.
An initiative to incorporate the industrial heritage into modern day tourism.
Mâconnais Clunisois is home to the county town of the Saône et Loire, Mâcon. If you are looking for an area with a Mediterranean flavour, look no further than the Mâconnais Clunisois.
It is surrounded by the plains of the Saône River, Beaujolais Mountains and acres of rolling Charolais countryside. The tones of the landscape and architecture are specific to the Mâconnais Clunisois with pink ochre tones and typified rounded tiles.
Mâcon is a town full of historical and archaeological sites Le Musée des Ursulines
le Musée Lamartine, Le site archéologique de Saint-Clément and L’Apothicairerie de l’Hôtel-Dieu; it is also the birthplace of Alphonse de Lamartine, a poet inspired by the Mâconnais countryside.
There is a wealth of leisure activities, amusement parks, cruises on the river Saône, hot air ballooning, rock climbing, golf, aeroplane and helicopter rides.
Touroparc at Romanèche-Thorins is a theme park for all ages and set on 10 hectares.
So how do we occupy the children? Whenever we take the children on holiday, the last thing we want to hear is ‘I’m bored!’
In the South of Burgundy, there is plenty to keep young and old amused; just take your pick of what is on offer:
La Voie Verte is a trail reserved for cyclists, roller skaters and pedestrians covers 120 km from Charnay-lès-Mâcon to the Canal du centre, near to
Digoin. Fifteen off shoots, of thirty kilometres, have been incorporated to allow access to neighbouring villages and landscapes. To enable you to take advantage of La Voie Verte two bicycle and roller skate hire firms have opened with nine types of cycles and roller skates for hire around Cluny.
Acro’bath Adventure Park is open during the weekends in May, June, September and October 10am to 7pm. Each year the park adds new activities to enhance the imagination and give more pleasure.
Touroparc Leisure Park in 10 hectares with more than 800 animals you can discover the life of animals from Africa, Asia, Australasia and South America. Imagine a lost paradise, an exuberant and rich landscape where you can take a tour of the site by monorail or enjoy the aquatic activities.
Diverti’Parc, a leisure park consisting of 10 hectares of games and labyrinths. Treasure hunts on a grand scale, three mazes and giant play areas. An on site farm has 25 breeds of cattle from around the world.
Parc des Combes at Le Creusot is set on 70 hectares of a magnificent wooded setting has on site activities to entertain children of all ages. The tourist train can access all activities and play areas.
- On the Nautic Jet, you are hoisted to 8 metres then descend into a pool.
- Le ‘Déval train,’ a devil train that takes you on a journey of 207 metres is suitable for all ages.
- Summer sledge resembles a winter sledge but travels 435 metres on a metal slope with numerous bends and bumps at a speed of up to 40 km/h
- There are five areas of relaxation with play and picnic areas
- Seven kilometres of cycle tracks through woods and nature
- Karting track where World, Europe and French championships have taken place
- Bateaux Mississippi pedal boats
- La Tyrolienne ride takes you to a height of 10 metres
- Le petit train des Combes - La Loco Vapeur. An opportunity to take a ride on a steam train.
World-renowned archaeological sites are found in this part of Burgundy. Grottes d'Azé at Rizerolles, Azé, is a prehistoric grotto with 200 metres of marked paths. The cave produced the greatest concentration of bear skeletons in an open cave, lion skeletons, dwellings, Stone Age industrial activities and underground river.
Les fours à Platre at Berzé-la-Ville is the site of gypsum quarrying which finished at the end of the 19th century.
Grottes de Blanot is a prehistoric site with an extensive network of caves with an abundance of stalagmites and stalactites. On site digs has produced prehistoric artefacts of tools and skeletons.
Camp Néolithique at Chassey-le-Camp is a Neolithic encampment with traces of the ‘Chassean’ civilisation. A small sanctuary was mounted on the site in Gallo-Roman times.
Les Carrières de la Lie at La Roche-Vineuse is a sediment quarry with a 2000-year history of extracting and is the site of archaeological digs where Mérovingien and Gallo-Roman sarcophagi were found.
Archéosite at Gueugnon is an outdoor archaeological site. There are five different ovens, wells and clay ditches on display.
Location details of a number of archaeological sites can be found here.
Solutre, situated amongst the Mâconnais vineyards is a spectacular limestone cliff. The Environment Ministry pronounced the rock outcroppings at Solutré-Pouilly, Vergisson and Mont Pouilly as a major national site.
At the foot of la Roche de Solutré is located in le Musée Départemental de Préhistoire and houses some the richest prehistoric treasures in Europe.
- by Coral Luke
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