Things to do in Saône-et-Loire: a 3-day foodie itinerary from Chalon-sur-Saône to the Morvan

Saône-et-Loire is a destination that truly deserves more than a quick stop. Located in the south of Burgundy, it offers a concentrate of everything we love: vineyard landscapes, characterful villages, a rich historical heritage and generous food.

During our 3-day stay, we set out to explore part of the area, between Chalon-sur-Saône, the Côte Chalonnaise and the Morvan. On the menu: wine tastings, castle visits, family activities, meetings with local producers and great foodie addresses.

If you are wondering about things to do in Saône-et-Loire, here is our foodie itinerary to discover this destination, between heritage, nature and the pleasures of the table.

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Our 3-day itinerary in Saône-et-Loire

For this trip, we chose to explore part of Saône-et-Loire by following an itinerary linking Chalon-sur-Saône to the gateway of the Morvan. To help you plan your own itinerary, I highly recommend downloading the Route71 app, which I talk about a little further down.

The area is particularly pleasant to explore by car: distances remain reasonable and each stop reveals a new side of southern Burgundy. In just a few kilometres, you go from vineyards to historic villages, then to the wilder landscapes of the Morvan.

We travelled by train from Paris to the Le Creusot-Montceau-Montchanin TGV station, then picked up a car to easily reach the different places on our trip.

Our itinerary at a glance:

Day 1: Chalon-sur-Saône and the Côte Chalonnaise

• exploring the historic centre of Chalon-sur-Saône;
• a foodie lunch;
• wine tasting in Mercurey;
• an afternoon with the donkeys in Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune.

Day 2: heritage and foodie experiences around Couches

• visiting the Château de Couches;
• lunch at the castle restaurant;
• a treasure hunt at the Domaine du Beauregard.

Day 3: Autun and the foodie Morvan

• discovering Autun with a city game;
• lunch at the Ferme Piscicole du Moulin trout farm;
• meeting local producers at the Ferme de la Lutarne.

This itinerary gives you a great overview of the diversity of Saône-et-Loire in just 3 days, while still taking the time to enjoy each experience.

Planning your trip to Saône-et-Loire with the Route71 app

Before setting off to explore the area, we recommend downloading the Route71 Bourgogne du Sud app. This official app makes it easy to plan your stay, bringing together lots of ideas for visits, themed itineraries, good addresses and the must-see sights of Saône-et-Loire.

We used it during our stay to follow our “En direction du Morvan gourmand” (towards the foodie Morvan) itinerary and to easily find the different stops along our route. It is a handy tool for organising your days, but also for discovering new ideas for outings once you are there.

Whether you are planning a weekend in Saône-et-Loire or a longer stay, this app is a great travel companion so you don’t miss any of the experiences on offer in the department.

Things to do in Saône-et-Loire: the highlights of our trip

Visit Chalon-sur-Saône, between heritage and easy living

Our discovery of Saône-et-Loire began in Chalon-sur-Saône, a town we didn’t know before this trip. Set on the banks of the Saône, it has a historic centre that is lovely to explore on foot, with an atmosphere that is both lively and peaceful. Chalon-sur-Saône has kept an authentic feel, where you easily find yourself taking the time to wander.

To discover the town, we followed the Chemin de l’Orbandale, a trail that takes you past several iconic sights of the historic centre.

Along the way, you come across pretty old streets, colourful façades, half-timbered houses and various monuments that bear witness to the town’s rich past.

Among the must-sees in Chalon-sur-Saône, don’t miss:

• Saint-Vincent Cathedral, which towers over the historic centre with its architecture blending several eras;
• the streets of old Chalon, perfect for a stroll with no set route;
• the banks of the Saône, very pleasant for a walk or a break on a café terrace.

The town is also known as the birthplace of Nicéphore Niépce, considered the inventor of photography. If you have more time, the museum dedicated to him is a great way to learn more about this story.

For a more playful visit, especially with children, the tourist office also offers treasure hunts… A great way to explore while having fun.

➺ Also worth reading: our article on Chalon-sur-Saône.

Discover Mercurey wines and the landscapes of the Côte Chalonnaise

After this first taste of town life, we headed for Mercurey, in the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise.

You can’t talk about Saône-et-Loire without mentioning its vineyards. Here, hillsides covered in vines, dotted with small stone villages, offer a lovely introduction to the world of Burgundy wine. Mercurey is one of the renowned appellations of the Côte Chalonnaise, with red wines made from Pinot Noir and white wines made from Chardonnay.

We discovered this terroir at the Caveau Divin de Mercurey. More than just a tasting, the place helps you better understand the wines of the region, thanks to the wealth of information available on site and the advice of the staff, who can guide visitors according to their tastes.

Thanks to the wine-by-the-glass dispensers, you can taste several cuvées at your own pace and compare different wines. The Caveau Divin also lets you book platters of local produce for a proper aperitif and tasting moment on site. An experience open to everyone, even if you are not a wine expert, to better understand the richness of the Mercurey vineyards.

Go for a donkey ride in Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune

Saône-et-Loire then had a different experience in store for us, gentler and more human: meeting the donkeys in Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune.

When we arrived, temperatures were particularly high and the planned ride wasn’t possible straight away. So we took the time to get to know the animals in another way: brushing them, learning more about them and gradually building a bond with them.

We really enjoyed this experience, because it isn’t simply about climbing on a donkey and heading off for a ride. The association’s main goal is to build a relationship.

Héloise works with a range of audiences, such as schools and specialised facilities, particularly in the field of mental health. The donkeys then become true mediators, helping to build trust, calm and social connection.

Once the temperatures had dropped, Lucas was able to enjoy a short donkey ride. A lovely moment that gently rounded off this encounter. We loved this experience, as it perfectly illustrates another way of travelling: taking the time to meet the people who bring an area to life and discovering meaningful local initiatives.

For more information, visit the Flore Y Ânes association website.

Visit the Château de Couches, between heritage and wine tourism

You can’t explore this part of Saône-et-Loire without a detour to the Château de Couches. Perched among the vineyards, this medieval castle appeals to history lovers and wine enthusiasts alike.

Behind its ramparts, the visit takes you through the various rooms, inner courtyards and gardens, while retracing several centuries of Burgundian history.

What we particularly liked is that the castle offers much more than a simple historical visit. It offers a real experience centred on wine and food.

After exploring the castle, we continued with a tasting in the estate’s cellar, before finishing with a glass on the rooftop set up on one of the towers. An exceptional setting to enjoy the estate’s wines while taking in a magnificent view of the surrounding landscapes.

To round off the experience, we also had lunch at the castle restaurant, Le Blason de Vair, which pleasantly surprised us with the quality of its cooking and its setting.

We have written a dedicated article on the Château de Couches, because this stop truly deserved a full story of its own.

Our tip: allow at least two hours on site to make the most of the visit and the tasting. If your schedule allows, also book lunch at the castle restaurant to extend the experience. The official website is here.

Discover the Domaine du Beauregard differently with a treasure hunt

After visiting the castle, a change of scene with an activity that is as original as it is fun. The Domaine du Beauregard offers a life-size investigation called “Sirius a disparu!” (Sirius has disappeared!), a treasure hunt that invites visitors to explore the wine estate while solving various riddles.

We found the concept particularly successful. Children quickly become active participants in the visit, while adults discover the estate and its surroundings in a much more playful way than on a traditional tour.

This activity shows that wine tourism can also be designed for families. You don’t just visit a wine estate: you share a real moment together. The owners are also busy building an outdoor area where tastings and the experience can continue.

Feel free to check out the estate’s website, which also offers picnics in the vineyards and other lovely experiences!

Visit Autun, one of the most beautiful towns in Saône-et-Loire

Our itinerary then took us to Autun, a town that well deserves a stop during a trip to Saône-et-Loire.

Founded more than 2,000 years ago under the name Augustodunum, Autun boasts a remarkable heritage, from Gallo-Roman remains and historic lanes to the famous Saint-Lazare Cathedral.

To discover the town differently, we chose the “La Chasse aux Monstres” City Game (the monster hunt), a fun way to explore the streets while solving riddles. An activity particularly well suited to families because, once again, children become active participants in the visit.

We really liked this approach, which lets you discover the heritage without following a classic guided tour. In fact, we would happily have extended our stay to take more time to explore Autun and its many treasures.

Lunch at the Ferme Piscicole du Moulin: a foodie break in the heart of nature

After visiting Autun, we headed to La Petite Verrière for an experience we had never tried before. The Ferme Piscicole du Moulin raises its own trout and serves them right on site, in a particularly pleasant setting.

We always appreciate places that showcase local produce without fuss. Here, everything revolves around the fish raised on site and the simplicity of cooking that celebrates the terroir.

After lunch, we were supposed to take part in a fishing session, but a small hitch in our schedule meant we couldn’t do it this time. As the farm is run by a couple, it simply isn’t possible to go fishing during lunch service. Bear this in mind if you want to have lunch there and fish on the same day. 🙂

Still, we found the concept really nice: you can also catch your own trout and take your fish home with you. An original way to get children involved in discovering where food comes from, from its origin to the plate, and why not let them help out in the kitchen afterwards!

The trout farm’s official website is here.

Meet the producers at the Ferme de la Lutarne

Our final stop took us to the Ferme de la Lutarne, a farm located in Monthelon. Because of the intense heat, we unfortunately couldn’t see the animals as planned, but we still got a glimpse of the projects to come.

The place is currently evolving, with work under way to develop new activities centred on local know-how. Eventually, the farm will offer bread- and pasta-making workshops, as well as a small shop where you will be able to buy products directly on site. One to keep in mind for a future visit, once these new spaces are open to the public.

Visiting Saône-et-Loire as a family: an ideal destination with children

We were curious to discover Saône-et-Loire as a family and to see what experiences the destination could offer children. After three days there, the answer is clear: it is an ideal destination for a family holiday.

What we liked was the variety of experiences on offer. Within a few kilometres, you easily go from a historic town to a vineyard, from a medieval castle to an outdoor activity. A perfect pace for alternating cultural visits and more playful moments with the children.

Saône-et-Loire offers many visits designed for families: treasure hunts, urban escape games, encounters with animals and activities centred on local produce. In Chalon-sur-Saône, Autun or at the Domaine du Beauregard, children become active participants in the discovery thanks to formats that make heritage more accessible.

We enjoyed all the experiences during this trip, but meeting the donkeys in Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune is without doubt one of our best memories. This special time with the animals created real family memories.

Another strength of the destination is its connection to the land. Meeting producers and visiting wine estates and farms naturally introduces children to farming and local food.

Where to eat in Saône-et-Loire? Our favourite addresses

Throughout our stay, we discovered several restaurants that showcase Burgundy’s local produce. After exploring Dijon, Beaune and now Saône-et-Loire, it may well be time for us to write a full article on Burgundian specialities…

If you are planning your trip, here are the restaurants we recommend:

• Le Bourgogne, in Chalon-sur-Saône, to start your stay with traditional regional cooking.
• Le Blason de Vair, at the Château de Couches, where the historic setting elevates the dining experience. (Our favourite.)
• Le Salon de Grégoire, in Givry, a lovely intimate spot showcasing local produce.
• Le Marchand, in Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune, ideal for enjoying regional cuisine in a beautiful setting.
• The Ferme Piscicole du Moulin in La Petite Verrière, an unusual place where you eat trout raised on site, with the option of extending the experience with a spot of fishing.

Whichever place you choose, we recommend trying the Burgundian specialities and, of course, pairing your meal with a Côte Chalonnaise wine if you get the chance.

Where to stay in Saône-et-Loire?

To explore this part of Saône-et-Loire, we stayed at La Parenthèse Bourguignonne, in Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune.

Its location is ideal for exploring the different places on our itinerary: Chalon-sur-Saône, Mercurey, the Château de Couches and the gateway to the Morvan. It is a convenient base for enjoying the region without spending too much time on the road.

We particularly appreciated how comfortable it was after our busy days. With its swimming pool and hot tub, the accommodation lets you extend the experience and enjoy some real family relaxation time.

Practical tips for visiting Saône-et-Loire

How long should you spend in Saône-et-Loire?

Three days already give you a good overview of the area, especially around Chalon-sur-Saône, the Côte Chalonnaise and the Morvan.

Of course, if you have a week, the department offers plenty more: more villages, hikes, wine estates and food discoveries.

For a first visit, we think 3 to 4 days is ideal to enjoy it without rushing.

How to get to Saône-et-Loire?

From Paris, the train is an excellent option. We reached the Le Creusot-Montceau-Montchanin TGV station in just over an hour, then picked up a hire car to easily explore the different sites.

In our opinion, a car remains the most practical way to visit Saône-et-Loire, especially if you want to discover the villages, wine estates and outdoor activities. What’s more, there is a car hire company right in the station!

When is the best time to visit Saône-et-Loire?

Saône-et-Loire can be explored all year round, but some seasons have a particular charm. Spring brings green landscapes and pleasant temperatures for walks. Summer is ideal for family activities and long days of exploring.

Autumn is probably the best time for wine lovers, with the vineyards’ magnificent colours and the buzz of the grape harvest. As for us, we really enjoyed visiting in June, which lets you make the most of outdoor activities without the summer crowds.

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Before this trip, we actually knew very little about Saône-et-Loire. These three days allowed us to discover another side of Burgundy: an authentic destination where heritage, nature, food and encounters take centre stage.

We loved the variety of the itinerary, between Chalon-sur-Saône, the Côte Chalonnaise vineyards, the Château de Couches, Autun and the many experiences centred on local produce.

Saône-et-Loire is a destination we recommend to anyone who wants to discover a gentler, lesser-known side of Burgundy (compared with Dijon or Beaune), far from the bustle of the big tourist sites, but with everything that makes the region so charming: beautiful landscapes, generous food and passionate people who bring their area to life.

FAQ – Things to do in Saône-et-Loire