Charnay-Lès-Mâcon: Greenway, vineyards and culture

Charnay-lès-Mâcon can be explored through a range of themes: the Greenway, buildings in the old town centre and walks in the Champgrenon landscape park. When looking for a hotel in Charnay-lès-Mâcon, you can decide what to focus on depending on whether you mainly want to cycle, see historic architecture or spend time outdoors.

Cycling and landscapes

The Greenway from Charnay is a dedicated cycle path and is suitable for family outings. Along the way, it passes castles and vineyards, as well as viewpoints overlooking the rocks of Solutré and Vergisson. The Greenway also runs alongside the rural landscapes of Charnay-lès-Mâcon. This means the route links several landscape and cultural highlights without requiring you to plan your trip around a single destination.

At the start of the Greenway, the Vélo-gare du Mâconnais rents out adult trekking bikes, electric bikes and bicycles, as well as helmets, child seats and bike trailers. If you want to rent a bike or accessories, check availability before your trip. For a longer ride, «Les Balades Canons» is another option: the tour takes you by electric bike from the Greenway through the Mâconnais vineyards, lasts about half a day and covers around 25 kilometres. It is offered seasonally; check availability for your travel dates.

Exploring on foot

The Greenway is also a starting point for walks. These include a circular route suggested by the Grand Site Solutré Pouilly Vergisson. This offers a different focus from an electric bike ride: you can consider a guided walking route or plan a bike tour with a stated approximate duration and distance. So when deciding, consider not only the landscape but also the type of outing you prefer during your stay.

Church and architectural history

The Romanesque Église Sainte-Madeleine stands in the heart of the old town centre. A place of worship dedicated to Saint Peter has been attested at the site of the church since 968. In the 16th century, the church was given the name Sainte-Madeleine; later, it became one of the seven so-called “cathédrantes” churches of the Diocese of Mâcon. This timeline connects the church’s present-day name with the site’s earlier religious history and its later status in the diocese.

The Lavoir des Proux also offers a distinctive architectural feature. It has a central impluvium and a four-sided roof. The washhouse is considered one of the most magnificent in the Saône-et-Loire department. What makes its description particularly interesting is the combination of specific architectural features and the traditional assessment of the building.

The former Protestant temple is part of the area’s more recent architectural history. The municipality acquired it in 1973 and renovated it in 1987 to host activities and cultural events. The two dates mark separate steps: first, the acquisition of the building, followed later by its renovation for cultural purposes.

Walks in the Domaine de Champgrenon

Today, the Domaine de Champgrenon is a 17-hectare landscape park open to visitors for walks. The «Le balcon du Grand Site» route enters the estate via the Chemin de la Tour de l’Ange. The park is also the setting for numerous large summer events. Walks, the route and events give the site different roles in planning a trip; check the dates for individual events.

When planning, also take note of the different visiting conditions: the landscape park is open for walks, while the Huilerie Mazoyer in the estate is open only during oil-pressing demonstrations. The «Les Balades Canons» bike tour is offered seasonally. If your stay is planned around a particular activity, check its availability or the dates of demonstrations and events before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Montret, Saint-Julien-De-Civry, Mont, Charmoy, Cussy-En-Morvan, Dettey, Laizy, Saint-Sernin-du-Bois

For the wider travel overview: Saône-Et-Loire.