Rodemack, a fortress protecting Lorraine
Close to the French border with both Luxembourg and Germany, Rodemack owes its nickname of ‘Lorraine’s little Carcassonne’ to its imposing ramparts encircling the citadel and the village, which hosts an annual Marché aux Vins des Plus Beaux Villages de France, a special wine market.
Our favourite ❤: the June medieval festival
Ancy-Dornot, a winemakers’ village
Ancy-Dornot stands in an exceptionally unspoilt setting. Embellished with substantial homes and craftsmen’s cottages, this old winemakers’ village has preserved its remarkable charm. All along its lanes, you can spot beautiful architectural features. Vines have been replanted on the surrounding sunny slopes, which produce fresh, light white wines much appreciated by connoisseurs.
Our favourite ❤: Varieux viewing point and La Croix Saint-Clément
Liverdun, an historic medieval village
Built on a rocky outcrop, Liverdun historic medieval village is packed full of interesting heritage. Thanks to its green environment, the place has been designated a Station Verte and anglers’ stop. It provides a lovely setting in which to practise a range of outdoor activities. Don’t forget to taste the madeleines, light little sponge cakes that are the culinary speciality here, coming in several flavours.
Our favourite ❤: the breathtaking views onto a great meander in the Moselle.
Fontenoy-le-Château, with its cobbled streets and historic riches
With its château, its tower, its cobbled streets, its port and its flowery walks beside the canal, Fontenoy le Chateau is really worth a stop. If your interest is piqued, also visit the embroidery museum here!
Our favourite ❤: the view from the château on its heights
Jussey, designated a Cité de Caractère Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Boasting 19 fountains and washhouses, Jussey is a village that has been designated a Cité de Caractère thanks to its remarkable heritage. With over one thousand years of history, it has retained many vestiges, but is also well known for its liveliness, thanks to its fairs, markets and major agricultural events.
Our favourite ❤: view of the village heights, alongside the iconic Jussey lion
Port-sur-Saône, a pretty parish by the Saône
Founded in the Gallo-Roman period under the name of Port Abucin, the village of Port-sur-Saône thrived down the centuries thanks to its fine location by the Saône. During the first week of August, it hosts the Festival Spectacles du Monde, a cosmopolitan gathering attracting thousands.
Our favourite ❤: the view from on high
Pontailler-sur-Saône, on its island in the Saône
The heart of this village is on an island formed by the Saône and Vieille Saône. Along the latter, pretty old washhouses signal the former importance of this branch of the river, once constituting its main course. The village’s various waterways still dominate the scene: a beach and a swimming area have been laid out on the Saône’s banks. Keen anglers and walkers who love getting out into nature will find this place a green paradise.
Our favourite ❤: taking a dip in the Saône
Lechâtelet, with the feel of a fishermen’s village
The name of this village derives from historic fortifications that predate the château that stands here today, built in red brick. The view of the quays enchants cycling tourists as they arrive. With its little port, canal and lock-keepers’ cottages, the place’s heritage incites you to potter around and to take a rest. There’s a little riverside restaurant, plus accommodation for those stopping the night.
Our favourite ❤: The view of the little port as you arrive along La Voie Bleue
Walking trails in La Truchère-Ratenelle Nature Reserve
Close to the confluence of Saône and Seille Rivers, La Truchère Nature Reserve presents a mosaic of natural environments that you can explore via two walking trails. The Sentier des Dunes de Sable (through sand dunes) and the Sentier de l'Etang (beside a lake) in fact take you through three exceptional settings... and allow you to appreciate, close up, unspoilt, well-preserved nature.
Our favourite ❤: a boat trip out on the Seille
Le Villars, with its breathtaking views
Perched on a rocky promontory, this village boasts exceptional charm, what with its square shaded by plane trees and its elegant houses smothered in wisteria benefiting from unique views over the Saône Valley and Bresse flatlands and even as far as the Jura Mountains and Mont Blanc in really clear weather. The place is proud of its famous former residents and its distinctive Romanesque church, with two naves joined one to the other.
Our favourite ❤: lunch or dinner at L'Auberge des Gourmets.
Thoissey, an historic heritage stop, designated a Station Verte
Facing the vineyards of the Beaujolais and Mâconnais areas, Thoissey is packed with buildings recalling its rich past, including a royal college, an Ursuline convent and a fine old pharmacy. Thoissey is very much worth a visit today, with its lively shops and associations, its swimming pool, its campsite, its river activities and its brass bands festival.
Our favourite ❤: Sampling the little river fish, followed by a good walk in Parc Marchand.
Belleville-en-Beaujolais, gateway to a UNESCO Global Geopark
Standing proudly beside the Saône, Belleville-en-Beaujolais makes an excellent staging post from which to explore the Beaujolais area and its 12 wine appellations. The town has all the facilities you could need. It was back in the 12th century that the lords of Beaujeu, notably Humbert III, encouraged Belleville to become a centre of trade, its merchants and barrel-makers thriving, making the most of its significant river port. Two monuments underline the place’s historic importance, the Hôtel-Dieu (or hospital) and Notre-Dame Church, both open to visitors. From Belleville-en-Beaujolais, you can cycle as far as Beaujeu, historic little capital of the Beaujolais area, via a safe cycle route well laid out the whole way along.
Our favourite ❤: a healthy visit to the Hôtel-Dieu, or old hospitald'Ars
Ars-sur-Fomans, a little village that’s a big pilgrimage draw
Ars, a small village in the area of La Dombes, welcomes pilgrims from around the world, paying their respects to Jean-Marie Vianney, a humble priest here in the 19th century, later declared patron saint of all Catholic priests for his exemplary service. Admire the Basilica of St Sixtus, Vianney’s house, the Chapel of the Sacred Heart and the underground church of Notre-Dame de la Miséricorde. Walk up to the Monument de la Rencontre and tour the Musée de Cire La vie du Saint Curé d’Ars (a waxworks museum), its statues made by the famed Grévin company.
Our favourite ❤: the Musée de Cire La vie du Saint Curé d'Ars, with 17 scenes and 35 figures by the Grévin company, telling Vianney’s story.
Neuville-sur-Saône, a lively riverside shopping town
Friendly, welcoming, gourmet… this town warmly invites you to explore the various sides of its character! Whether walking along the banks of the Saône or through the heart of the place with its recognized heritage, let yourself fall under the spell of this lively riverside shopping town.
Our favourite ❤: the Château d'Ombreval, now the town hall, and its gardens, plus the Friday morning market.
St-Romain-au-Mont-d'Or, for fans of fine old architecture
This magnificent little village in the Monts d'Or hills is made up entirely of buildings constructed out of the deep yellow stone quarried on the spot. Walk around discovering the church and the lanes, admiring the delightful mix of man-made and natural beauty. Hiking trails lead up into the Monts d’Or from the village.
Our favourite ❤: St Romain Church – fully restored, mainly dating from the 12th to 15th centuries.
