Experience the best of Mâcon

Mâcon lies on the west bank of the Saône in Burgundy, facing the plains of Bresse across the river. The quays, a medieval stone bridge and the twin ruined towers of the old Saint-Vincent cathedral recall its history, and the poet Alphonse de Lamartine, born here in 1790, is honoured with a statue on the riverfront.

The Mâconnais hills to the west are covered in vines that produce Pouilly-Fuissé, Saint-Véran and other white wines from Chardonnay, below the pale limestone crags of Solutré and Vergisson. At Solutré, a prehistoric hunting site gave its name to a Stone Age culture, and a path climbs the rock for views toward Mont Blanc on clear days. Cluny Abbey, the ruins of a great medieval Benedictine house, and the Taizé community lie to the north-west.

Jambon persillé, ham set in parsley jelly, gougères cheese puffs, snails and coq au vin belong to Burgundy's table, with Bresse chicken from across the river and goat's cheeses of the Mâconnais. Spring and early autumn are the best seasons for the vineyards.