2026 Macon Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in September)

I had some important business to attend to, so I stopped by a region called Mâcon for a while. Mâcon is famous for its wine production and grape cultivation, so much so that the "Mâconnais" wine brand, named after the city, is well-known! It's close to Lyon, and the Saone River flows beneath the Pont Saint-Laurent. #ExcitingMannequin #mâcon #Saint-PierreCathedral

If you are looking for a truly "living" medieval castle in Burgundy, Château de Berzé-le-Châtel is worth a special visit. It is not crowded with tourists like popular attractions. Instead, it offers a sense of solitude and tranquility standing atop the hill. 🏰 A fortress from the 10th century Built in 991 AD, this castle sits on a rocky promontory overlooking the Mâconnais vineyards and is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval fortifications remaining in southern Burgundy. Most impressive are its 13 towers and three concentric defensive walls, which progress layer by layer from the foot of the hill to the main keep. Upon entering the castle, you will pass a Carolingian-style chapel, a well that plunges 36 meters into the rock, and massive ramparts that once withstood the fire of the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion. 🌳 French gardens and stunning panoramic views In stark contrast to the rugged fortifications are the French gardens inside the castle. Boxwood and yew trees are trimmed into chess piece shapes, dotted with statues and flower beds—this garden has received the official "Jardin Remarquable" (Remarkable Garden) certification. Climbing the battlements, the 360-degree panoramic view is the best reward: to the south are the rolling Burgundy hills and vineyards, and in the distance, you can see the Roche de Solutré. If you visit in spring, the fruit trees are in bloom, making the scenery even more moving. 📜 Practical visiting tips 1. Check opening hours: The castle is privately owned, and opening hours are limited, often requiring guided tours. Be sure to check the official website or call ahead to confirm before you leave to avoid a wasted trip. 2. Language: Tours are primarily in French, but English information sheets are usually provided. Some visitors have reported encountering guides with good English explanations. 3. Clothing advice: There is a steep walking path from the foot of the hill to the castle, and the interior ground is made of original stone slabs, so comfortable flat shoes are recommended. 4. Nearby attractions: You can also visit the chapel in Berzé-la-Ville at the foot of the hill, which houses Byzantine-style frescoes left by the 11th-century Cluny Abbey. 🚴‍♂️ Bonus nearby: Europe's longest greenway tunnel If you are a cycling enthusiast, the Voie Verte (Greenway) at the foot of the hill features the 1.6-kilometer-long Tunnel de Bois Clair, the longest greenway tunnel in Europe, connecting Berzé and Cluny for a very unique experience. In Berzé-le-Châtel, time seems to have stopped in the Middle Ages. This small village consists only of the castle, the church, and a few houses. The stone walls stand quietly amidst the sound of the wind and birds, presenting an unadorned, ancient, and authentic atmosphere.

Save this for later Driving south from Paris, the most noticeable change is that cities slowly fade away, and sunshine, stone houses, and vast fields begin to appear. Our destination is Gordes. Built on a rocky plateau in the Luberon mountains, the entire village unfolds in layers along the hillside. It is also one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France." Looking from the viewpoint across the way, you get the angle shown in my photo. 🚗 Road trip route from Paris Paris → Auxerre → Beaune → Mâcon → Lyon → Valence → Montélimar → Avignon → Cavaillon → Gordes The driving distance from Paris to Gordes is approximately 709 km. Driving straight without stops takes about 7 hours. In reality, factoring in breaks, meals, and traffic, I would plan for 8+ hours. I recommend splitting this into 2 days. Option 1: Paris → Lyon → Gordes. Lyon is roughly in the middle. Stay one night, then drive to Provence the next day. This is the most relaxed option. Option 2: Paris → Beaune → Avignon → Gordes. If you prefer small French towns and wine regions, this route feels more like a vacation. You can stop for a meal in Beaune, stay overnight in Avignon, and head to Gordes the next day. Once you arrive in Gordes, I recommend parking in the lots on the outskirts of the village. Don't try to drive into the narrow alleys of the old town. The village is best explored on foot. The stone houses, slopes, castle, and valley views are the best parts. Nearby attractions around Gordes 1. Sénanque Abbey (Abbaye de Sénanque). Located in the valley near Gordes, it is the most classic abbey view here. 2. Village des Bories. You can see traditional Provençal dry-stone architecture here; it is also one of the main cultural heritage sites officially recommended by Gordes. 3. Roussillon. If you have time that day, it's perfect to combine with Gordes. The two villages show completely different colors of Provence. The best time to see lavender is from June to mid-to-late July. ❤️ My personal advice: If you are coming directly from Paris, don't treat Gordes as a single stop-and-go attraction. The most comfortable way to travel is: Paris → stay one night in Lyon/Avignon → Gordes → Sénanque Abbey → Roussillon. This way, you truly get the feeling of driving all the way from Paris into Provence.

I've been saving the Trip.com "Bourgogne-Franche-Comté High-end Hotel List" for so long, and I finally checked into the Best Western Plus✨ I never expected a hotel converted from a 19th-century building to be this amazing! I highly recommend all the girls traveling to Mâcon to book this place~ 🌟 Stay inside a Renaissance painting The hotel is right next to the Mâcon train station, and when you open the window, you see the sparkling Saône River. I love their perfect mix—the exterior walls have authentic medieval stone arches, but the rooms are equipped with smart toilets and rain showers. Classic lovers and tech fans will both be thrilled! 🍴 Insider tips · You must take a walk along the riverbank at 7 AM! Starting from the hotel's back door, you can enjoy the morning light of Saint-Vincent Cathedral all to yourself in 10 minutes🌅 · Attention, drivers! The underground parking aisle is really narrow (I tested it, and it's less than 2 meters wide). If you're driving a large car, I suggest parking in the free overnight spots on the opposite bank. PS: I only decided to book after seeing the actual photos on the Trip.com list, and upon arrival, I found it had even more quality than expected~ It would be perfect if all hotel lists could include notes like "historic building, no elevator"!