what's nearby?

I will be staying at Chateau Ige ifor three nights in July.

one question: should we plan to have dinner there each night or are there other places in the village we should try?

We have been to Burgundy before but have not really explored southern Burgundy. I am thinking of Cluny and Macon and the Roche Souliterrs(sp?) and probably the caves at AZE. does anyonr have recommendaytions about these locations or other nearby stops. From Ige we will be going to Annecy and Lyon

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I come from Southern Burgundy between Cluny and Givry, and would definitely advise you to visit the area. It%26#39;s secret, full of lovely villages and churches, barely visited.

I would recommend :

- Cluny, very lovely city (see the horse arras, the city center...)

- Grottes d%26#39;Aze are nice indeed and the area is very pretty. Once there, you can drive a bit further (10 mns) and get a splendid view from Mont Saint Romain.

- Chapaize : lovely village with an old Roman church

- Brancion: if you had only one place to see. I love this medieval village on the top of a beautiful hill. Cars aren%26#39;t allowed to get in. It%26#39;s very small and peaceful. Beautiful houses, castles and a lovely church overlooking the whole valley. Each time I visit my parents, I go back there. I need it.

- In the same area, Castle of Cormatin is nice

- I would advise you then to go south to Beaujolais and visit the Roche de Solutr�� and try to see a few villages around there. Very nice.

Macon is not worth really. I would rather enjoy Beaujolais countryside.

Annecy and Lyon are very nice cities as well. You need to spend an evening in Lyon. The city is even more beautiful at night, a bit busy and hot during the day in summer time.

Please, don%26#39;t hesitate to ask any further question. I spend my first 25 years in the area.

Have a wonderful trip.

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Niepce71,

This sounds like a great trip. Is there any way to do it without renting a car? I%26#39;d like to be able to use public transportation. Unfortunately my French is basically non-existent. Thanks for your help.

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Thanks for the input from readers- It helps shape my planning - I am looking forward to visiting this area as it seems more unspoiloed than some and I love discovering hidden treasures

In regard to traveling by train or bus - it is possible but takes time that is better spent driving through the back roads and coming to lovely villages and towns along the way. Don%26#39;t worry about not speaking a lot of French - They are a very forgiving people and work with you to understand your requests. Plus you will find that you pick up quite a bit of %26quot;travel french%26quot; as you travel

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Concerning public transportation��� it will be less easy for you without a car for sure. Especially since South Burgundy is the deep and secret countryside and that you may want to discover a village or a church along a little road. I make nice discoveries each time I go back.

However, a bus network exists. It is called ���Les Rapides de Saone et Loire��� and it provides a good link between the main cities Macon-Cluny-Chalon-Dijon. And you can stop in the villages along the road.

There is a train connection between Dijon ��� Beaune ��� Chalon sur saone- Tournus ��� Macon but that���s about it. So it is a bit too far east from the lovely area. Even if Tournus is an interesting city.

Another thing if you don���t want to use your car: the ���voie verte���. A former railroad across the countryside which recently was turned into a lovely road for hikers, bikers, roller skaters... The lovely part (I would say around 60 kms long) leaves Givry and goes down to Cluny (Buxy, Cormatin and many pretty villages are along the road). It is flat because in the valley. The good thing is that you can rent a bike along the ���voie��� and leave it in a further station. There are a few commodities (hotels, restaurants) along the road but you will need to check where they are and make reservations before your arrival.

Don���t be afraid of not speaking French. If you can say a few words (Bonjour, Merci) and have a good map, that will be enough. People in Burgundy are not really outgoing, a bit secret themselves, and scarcely speak English but they will surely be ready to help. And you might make some very authentic encounters (La France profonde!).

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Hi Jane,

Although I agree that Macon is nothing special, it may be worth a trip into town for dinner at a wonderful one Michelin starred restaurant called Pierre. Their menu degustation is a steal at 58 euros and well worth the detour.