Saint-Gengoux-De-Scissé: Heritage and Winegrowing

Saint-Gengoux-De-Scissé combines a distinctive villagescape with historic churches and its own history of winegrowing. White stone wayside crosses, Mâconnais-style houses and the church of Saint-Gengoux provide visible links to the village’s history; the wine cooperative and Domaine de L'Aubraine represent different connections to wine. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip focused on culture or winegrowing, these themes can help guide your choice of destination.

Stone Crosses, Houses and a Historic Press

White stone wayside crosses stand in the village and in the hamlets of Bonzon, Poil-Rouge and Bassy. The crosses are nearly identical, predominantly neo-Gothic, and were erected by the residents in 1858. Their shared appearance links several parts of the village to a clearly dated chapter of its history.

The houses also offer insight into Mâconnais building styles. Typical features include white limestone and two storeys; above them are grain lofts with small square windows that ventilated the stored grain. The red-tiled eaves rest on two or three wooden roof supports. The windows, lofts and roof structures make the different elements of this architectural style easy to distinguish.

In the village centre, near the Foyer Rural and the Le Vieux Logis wine cellar, a historic pressoir à grand point can be seen. The press is eight metres long, four metres high and weighs nearly ten tonnes. It was altered in 1869; some of its parts are probably several centuries old. Local display arrangements may change. Check before your visit whether the press is still on view.

The Church of Saint-Gengoux and Local History

The church of Saint-Gengoux is documented as far back as the 9th century. The choir, bell tower and apse date from the Romanesque period. The church also contains an 18th-century altarpiece in one of its chapels. Twisted columns frame a painting of Saint Gengoux as a Roman soldier: he holds a palm, while his helmet lies beside him, removed. The historic architectural elements and the altarpiece illustrate different aspects of the church’s heritage.

Another historical landmark is the former Notre-Dame chapel in the hamlet of Bonzon. It is now privately owned; only the choir remains. Consider it a landmark in the village’s history, rather than a public interior that can be visited. The Tour de Bassy was once an estate belonging to Cluny Abbey. It was badly damaged by brigands in July 1789.

Winegrowing and Group Activities

The Saint-Gengoux-De-Scissé wine cooperative was established in 1925 and was the first to be founded in the Mâconnais. The history of winegrowing is therefore one of the village’s distinctive themes. It can be considered separately from the details of its houses and churches, and offers another focus for planning a trip.

Domaine de L'Aubraine in Saint-Gengoux-De-Scissé comprises five hectares of vineyards and around ten hectares of pastureland. These area figures may change over time. The estate offers a range of group activities involving vineyards and horses. Advance arrangements may be required, and the activities may also change. Contact the estate beforehand to ask about the offer you are interested in.

Landscape and Distinctive Local Landmarks

From the hilltop, the view stretches across the Verzée valley. The Grotte de l'Été is an underground site beneath the ridge between the hamlet of La Verzée and the village centre. These two descriptions locate different landscape features within the municipality without presenting them as a single visitor route.

The range of themes extends from Mâconnais architecture and religious and local history to winegrowing. When planning your stay, you can decide which focus interests you most: stonework and architectural styles, historical connections or group activities related to winegrowing.

Discover more destinations: Vauban, Saint-Bonnet-De-Joux, Saillenard, Leynes, Saint-Léger-Lès-Paray, Saint-Marcel, Montchanin, Saint-Boil.

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