The best cycling routes around Bonnay

The Tour des Fromages is a preserved defensive tower from the 11th century, which originally belonged to the ramparts of the powerful Abbey of Cluny. In the Middle Ages, the structure was still called Tour des Fèves (Bean Tower), as supplies were stored there. It got its current, curious name in the 19th century because a merchant used the tower to dry her homemade cheeses. Today, the tower is a popular attraction. Visitors can climb the 120 steps to the top. From up there, you have a beautiful 360-degree panoramic view over the entire medieval monastic city and the surrounding Burgundy landscape. Access to the tower is directly through the local Cluny tourist office.

The 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 Louis XIII era in all of France. Famous are the "Gilded Rooms" (Salles Dorées) with lavish 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 labyrinth, an open-air Baroque theatre, water features, and a historic vegetable garden. This spot only offers a brief glimpse of the rear grounds.

Peaceful village with a lake and campsite, a detour that is worth it.

The completely car-free "Green Way" leads over around 70 kilometers from Chalon-sur-Saône to Mâcon. The path winds through picturesque vineyards (Côte Chalonnaise), past medieval villages like Saint-Gengoux-le-National, historic castles, and Romanesque architecture. On the route, you will pass the historic town of Cluny with its famous, thousand-year-old abbey. Near Cluny, you will cross the longest tunnel in Europe open to cyclists, at 1.6 km (note the winter closure for bat protection). Together with the parallel river route Voie Bleue along the Saône, the route can be combined into a fantastic 145 km circular tour (Grande Boucle de Bourgogne du Sud).

The church of Saint-Valentin de Jalogny is a historic Roman Catholic church in the municipality of Jalogny in the Saône-et-Loire department. Built in the Romanesque style, the structure was erected in the 12th century. It replaced an earlier place of worship from 969, which had been built by the famous monks of the nearby Cluny Abbey. The striking, four-story bell tower with a pyramidal tent roof was built directly next to the choir. The lower part is preserved in its original state, while the upper floor was raised in the 19th century.

Founded in 910, the Benedictine abbey developed into the starting point of the Cluniac reform movement. In the High Middle Ages, it was one of the most influential religious and political centers in Western Europe. At its peak, the Cluny congregation comprised around 1,200 monasteries with over 20,000 monks across the continent. Cluny was independent of secular rulers and local bishops. It was directly subordinate to the Pope in Rome.

The famous French National Stud Haras National de Cluny in Burgundy was established by decree under Napoleon I in 1806 to secure the army's need for cavalry horses. It thus looks back on over 200 years of equestrian history. It is located in the immediate vicinity and at the foot of the historic Abbey of Cluny. The first breeding stallions were housed in the former stables of the abbey from 1807 onwards. Today, the facility belongs to the Équivallée organization. It serves to promote equestrian sports, hosts riding tournaments and shows, and is a renowned training center (including for animal osteopathy).

The Crainseny Viaduct (French: Viaduc de Crainseny) is a historic railway bridge in the south of the Côte Chalonnaise region. The viaduct was built in 1882. It has a total length of 246 meters, spans the valley at a height of around 23 meters, and features a distinctive curve with a radius of 400 meters. The masonry bridge consists of 16 elegant round arches, each with a span of 12 meters. Originally, the railway ran here on the Étiveau-Montchanin line, connecting the towns of Saint-Gengoux-le-National and Montchanin. Train services were discontinued in 1969.