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ROUTE DES CHATEAUX BOURGOGNE
The Chateau Castles and Manors of Southern Burgundy

Chateau Cormatin Chateaus of Burgundy photoThe countryside of France is virtually littered with chateaux, houses, manors and castles built by the nobility from the middle-ages through the grand glory days of the Sun King, Louis XIII, up to the revolution when nobility fell rather into disrepute. The valley of the Loire is probably the most well-known region for its grand palaces, from Fountainbleu to Chambord. The Loire was easy to reach from Paris by coach in days of old for its mostly flat landscape, easy for road building. The lands of Burgundy (Bourgogne) ruled for many centuries by dukes and barons often at odds with the kings of France was a bit harder to reach when “horsepower” actually referred to the four footed kind of locomotion. Nowadays, with the more convenient way of getting around France for visitors coming through Paris is by train, the chateaus which dot the wooded and grape-vined hills of Southern Burgundy are perhaps easier to reach from Paris by France’s high speed train the TGV.

The northern end of Bourgogne centered around Dijon known as the Cote d’Or (see Dijon) has its share of grand palaces (see Chateau de Bussy Rabutin), but the southern end of Burgundy, pinched in sloping wooded hillsides between the Loire River and along the Saone River known as the Saône-et-Loire, is residence to 16 chateau. Located in a triangle between the cities of Beaune, Chalon-sur-Saone, Macon and Le Creusot, all towns with stations where the TGV stops direct from Paris.

Chateau Bedroom photoTo get to the châteax from these rail convenient towns requires a car rental or many can also be reached by bicycle (see Cycling Burgundy) or public bus transportation. Macon has the most castles closest to the city with Chalon-sur-Saône the next most. Maps to the castles, manors and monasteries of the region can easily be had at local tourist offices or many hotels in the region will have maps and brochures. The historic chateaus sites range from medieval fortresses to grand manor residences.

Berzé-le-Châtel
An imposing medieval castle over-looks the vineyards of the Lamartine Valley near Macon. Built between the 13th and 15th Centuries, features a Carolingian Chapel and still standing walls.

Pierreclos
Begun in the 11th Century and rebuilt through the 18th, this city within itself on a panoramic view hillside features a Romanesque church, medieval kitchens, gardens, a guard room and a wine museum. Owned by a wine-making family, wine tasting is offered in the 12th Century era cellars. www.chateaudepierrclos.com

Dree
One of the later of the chateau dating from the 17th Century Dree features a Loius XVI drawing room and state apartments, a collection of 18th Century furniture and extensive formal gardens. www.chateau-de-dree.com

Brancion
An 11th Century castle of the dukes of Burgundy located in the heart of the Romaesque church and vineyard country, Brancion is perhaps the most important fortified site in Southern Burgundy (see Chateau Brancion)

Digoine
An example of 18th Century classic revival with Italianate theater ansd formal French Garden surrounded by English style parkland with decorative ponds.

Saint Aubin
Closest to the Loire River an 18th Century chateau of golden shaded stone after a design by architect Edem Verniquet. www.chateaudestaubin.com

Cormatin
Near the Abbey of Tournus (See Tournus) this 1600’s grand estate chateau features the richest Louis VIII apartments in France with gold leafed paneling and tapestries on 25 acres with maze and moat. (See Chateau de Cormatin)

La Ferte
Originally a monastery founded by St. Etienne in 1113, La Ferte was at one time a most important Cistercian Abbeys (see Fonteney), but the church is now gone and what remains is the magnificent palace built in the 1700’s. It is possible to find accommation in the Abbey Gatehouse hotel. www.abbayeferte.com

Germolles
Nearest Chalon-sur-Saone this castle was originally built in 1380 by Phillip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy for his wife Margaret of Flanders. The medieval defensive gate towers remain while the chateaux residence shows the 14th Century design influence. Germolles is the only country estate of the Dukes of Bourgogne that has been so well preserved. chateaudegermolles.free.fr

Rully
A medieval fortress built into a turreted 12th Century keep with a Renaissannce main house. This turreted chateau is still owned by the original family situated in the midst of vineyards. www.chateauderully.fr

Pierre De Bresse
Home to the Ecomuseum at Bresse the Chateau of Perrre de Bresse offers one of the most imposing formal approaches through its formal garden. The Eco Museum presents the culture and countryside of the Bresse Burgundy region.

Demigny
Near Beaune Chateau Demigny is an example of grand residence from the Directoire period, the chateau features a museum of hunting in Burgundy, a left over from its one-time residence of author the Marquis de Foudras.

Brandon
An example of Burgundian military architecture, Brandon was built over a former Roman Gaul outpost, with upper and lower walled courtyards and 13th Century drawbridge tower. Still a family home, the main building was turned into a 17th Century mansion with a great hall and a heraldry display. www.chateau-de-brandon.com

Couches
An impressive keep fortress from the 1100’s with a prison, ramparts, drawbridge and underground passages, reputed to the last secret hiding place of France’s Queen Marguerite of Bourgogne.

Sully
A Renaissance era chateau surrounded by a moat with what had been called the most beautiful courtyard in the kingdom with formal gardens and parkland, owned by a wine vineyard growing family who date back to one of France’s first presidents and the Burgundy dukes. www.chateaudesully.com

A Chateau Pass can be obtained from the tourism bureau of Southern Burgundy for reduced admission to the participating Chateaux. © Bargain Travel Europe

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See Also:

CHÂTEAU DE FLEURVILLE

CHÂTEAU DE CHÂTEAUNEUF-EN-AUXOIS

LESLIE CARON'S HOTEL RESTAURANT BURGUNDY