Page 142 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

140 BACK ROADS FRANCE

The Heart of France

The Route des Vins Mâconnais-Beaujolais
was established by winemakers in 1986
and explores the landscape and legacy of
southern Burgundy in all its variety. The
first grapes were planted by the Romans
and tended by the monks at Cluny in the
Middle Ages. Along this route visitors will
cross the rolling countryside of the
Mâconnais area and the vineyards and
villages of Beaujolais.

Above Vast tracts of vineyards extend along the Route des Vins Mâconnais-Beaujolais, see p141
PLAN YOUR DRIVE
Start/finish: Cluny to 0 kilometres 3
Romanèche-Thorins. CLUNY
0 miles 3
Number of days: 1–2. Jalogny
SAÔNE-ET-LOIRE
Distance: 90 km (56 miles). Domange
Vaux Mouge
Road conditions: Good and well- Igé Satonnay
signed; parts of the wine route are Ste-Cécile
circuitous, with very narrow roads. Berzé-
le-Châtel
Valouze Verzé
When to go: June to August has M a c o n n a i s
the best weather; late September Bourgvilain Berzé-
to early October is the time to see la-Ville Marigny
the grape harvest in progress. Sologny ROUTE DES
VINS MÂCONNAIS- Hurigny
Opening hours: Most sites are Milly- BEAUJOLAIS
closed on Mondays and on Lamartine La Roche-
public holi days. Bussières Vineuse
Pierreclos
Chevagny-
Main market days: Cluny: Sat; les-Chevrières
Juliénas: Mon; Romanèche- Prissé
Charnay-
Thorins: Sat. lès-Mâcon Mâcon
Le Bourg Vergisson
Major festivals: Cluny: Les Grandes ROCHE DE Davayé
Signal de la POUILLY-
Heures de Cluny, Jul–Aug; Juliénas: Mere Boitier SOLUTRÉ FUISSÉ
Fête des Vins, Nov. 758 m Solutré-
Vieux Pouilly Pouilly
Grosne La Grange-
Château du-Bois
Chasselas Fuissé Loché
Cenves Leynes
Chaintré
Arlois
COL DE GERBEY Pruzilly St-Vérand Chânes Saône
SAINT-AMOUR-BELLEVUE
La Plâtre-Durand
Jullié
Ville
RHÔNE JULIÉNAS Les
Émeringes Paquelets
Les Deschamps
Chénas La Chapelle-
de-Guinchay
KEY
Above Statue in the Hameau du Vin, Romanèche- Drive route Fleurie ROMANÈCHE-
Thorins, see p143 THORINS
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €70; moderate, €70–€150; expensive, over €150