St Gengoux Le National and Germagny are centrally located in Southern Burgundy an area famous for its wines and cuisine, however the beautiful countryside, waterways and architecture all of which are easily accessible, make Southern Burgundy a superb holiday destination.
St Gengoux Le National (which changed its name from St Gengoux Le Royal after the revolution!) is a 12th century medieval village with many of the older parts of the village well preserved. Germagny is a traditional farming village built on the banks of the river Guye, and surrounded by gentle hills mainly given over to charolais cows.
While both villages are situated within easy reach of many famous wine areas, including Chablis, Cote d'Or, Cote de Nuit and Beaujolais, the wines of Southern Burgundy are also well worth sampling. St Gengoux produces Maconnaise wines and has its own wine cooperative while Germagny is situated in the Cote Chalonnais only a few miles from the wine cooperatives of Buxy and Genouilly.
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Local Vines |
Buxy Wine Co-operative |
The local village of Montagny le Buxy is particularly worth visiting if you are interested in sampling wines directly from individual wine makers, there are at least half a dozen different growers and winemakers in the village all offering an opportunity to taste and buy wine.
Burgundy is also famous for its food with the cuisine being some of the richest and most heartily traditional in all of France . The region has restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets, from Michelin starred restaurants to small auberges, and while there is plenty of information in the gite regarding local restaurants, half the fun in Burgundy is unexpectedly coming across a perfect spot for lunch or dinner.
However, for those times when you don't feel like driving, both St Gengoux and Germagny have restaurants and cafes. La Jouvence on the main street of St Gengoux has a lovely shady terrace and offers both traditional Burgundian food along with a range of salads and pizzas. La Vigne in Germagny is a pleasant restaurant only a few minutes walk from the gite offering well cooked regional food. Snails are a speciality!
While Burgundy is justifiably famous for its wine and food, there are plenty of other activities and pastimes on offer. The area is rich in architecture from the extensive and impressive roman ruins in Autun to the abbeys of Cluny , Paray-le-Monial and Tournus. Although many of the monasteries and abbey churches were badly damaged in religious wars and during the Revolution, they are still awesome in their size, dignity and beauty and well worth visiting.
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Tournus and the twin towers of St Philibert's Abbey on the banks of the Saone |
The Chateau de Cormatin is just one of the lovely chateau in the area which is open to the public, the interior is gradually being restored, and the gardens are a delight with a traditional french vegetable garden, beautiful rose beds and maze and birdcage which you can climb for lovely views over the garden and chateau. The chateau is situated just off the voie vert, roughly an hours cycle from St Gengoux, making it a perfect day trip without taking the car.
For the more energetic the voie vert, which runs through St Gengoux, offers 117km of cycle paths which stretch from Chagny to Macon . The paths which are laid out in tarmac along former railroad lines and canal tow paths, are used for cycling, roller blading and walking and have plenty of shady picnic places to stop on route. Bikes, of all shapes and sizes including electric ones, can be hired at either Buxy or St Gengoux.
The area is also criss-crossed with numerous marked walks, including the GR7, which takes you from Germagny to the Mont Saint Vincent, the highest village for miles around with superb views. However, there are many local walks starting in both St Gengoux and Germagny, and varying in length from a few kilometres upwards. Information can be found in the gites and at the local tourist offices.
For those who enjoy ‘messing about on water', Burgundy 's waterways are extensive, with over a 1000km of navigable waterways, which provide a wonderfully alternative view of the countryside. You can hire boats in the major towns along the Canal du Centre and on the Saone . For a lovely day out visit La Trouchére where the river Seille meets the Saone , and from where you can hire boats, join guided cruises or walk round the old fashioned locks.
Perhaps not so well known are the many golf courses in Saone-et-Loire, the closest, Chateau d'Avoise at Montchanin is less than 10km from Germagny and offers a beautiful 18-hole course laid out over 300 acres amongst mature woodland. For more information on local courses visit www.passgolfsbourgogne.com
Whatever you enjoy doing, there is plenty to keep all the family amused in Burgundy . For more information you may like to visit the following sites.
www.southernburgundy.com
www.saint-gengoux.fr |
