Saône-et-Loire
Saône-et-Loire (; Arpitan: ''Sona-et-Lêre'') is a department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in France. It is named after the rivers Saône and Loire, between which it lies, in the country's central-eastern part.
Saône-et-Loire is ...
region
In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as zones, lands or territories, are areas that are broadly divided by physical characteristics (physical geography), human impact characteristics (human geography), and the interaction of humanity and t ...
of
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (; , sometimes abbreviated BFC; Arpitan: ''Borgogne-Franche-Comtât'') is a region in Eastern France created by the 2014 territorial reform of French regions, from a merger of Burgundy and Franche-Comté. The new region c ...
in eastern France.
Geography
Saisy is located from
Beaune
Beaune () is the wine capital of Burgundy in the Côte d'Or department in eastern France. It is located between Lyon and Dijon. Beaune is one of the key wine centers in France, and the center of Burgundy wine production and business. The annu ...
, from
Chalon-sur-Saône
Chalon-sur-Saône (, literally ''Chalon on Saône'') is a city in the Saône-et-Loire department in the region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in eastern France.
It is a sub-prefecture of the department. It is the largest city in the department; h ...
and from
Autun
Autun () is a subprefecture of the Saône-et-Loire department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of central-eastern France. It was founded during the Principate era of the early Roman Empire by Emperor Augustus as Augustodunum to give ...
. An aerial view of Saisy (le Bourg) from geoportail.fr
The Chalon-Autun-Beaune triangle is known for its scenery, cuisine and wines. It is gradually becoming a popular place for second home owners from Paris, Holland and increasingly the UK and the US.
There are views across the countryside from every part of the commune, yet busy towns and cities, not least
Dijon
Dijon (, , ) (dated)
* it, Digione
* la, Diviō or
* lmo, Digion is the prefecture of the Côte-d'Or department and of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in northeastern France. the commune had a population of 156,920.
The earl ...
and
Lyon
Lyon,, ; Occitan: ''Lion'', hist. ''Lionés'' also spelled in English as Lyons, is the third-largest city and second-largest metropolitan area of France. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône, to the northwest of ...
, are on the doorstep. Saisy le Bourg is from Épinac and from Nolay, the birthplace of
Lazare Carnot
Lazare Nicolas Marguerite, Count Carnot (; 13 May 1753 – 2 August 1823) was a French mathematician, physicist and politician. He was known as the "Organizer of Victory" in the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars.
Education and early ...
in the
Côte-d'Or
Côte-d'Or (; literally, "Golden Slope") is a département in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of Northeastern France. In 2019, it had a population of 534,124.Sivry,
le Vesvre
La Vesvre de Saisy is a village in Burgundy.
It is part of the Commune of Saisy in Saône-et-Loire ''département
In the administrative divisions of France, the department (french: département, ) is one of the three levels of government u ...
de Saisy,
la Forêt de Saisy
La Forêt is a village in Burgundy.
It is part of the Commune of Saisy in Saône-et-Loire ''département
In the administrative divisions of France, the department (french: département, ) is one of the three levels of government under the ...
and
Changey
Changey () is a commune in the Haute-Marne department
Department may refer to:
* Departmentalization, division of a larger organization into parts with specific responsibility
Government and military
*Department (administrative division), a ...
.
History
There are two important monuments at Saisy le Bourg; the twelfth century Church and the Statue of the Madonna.
In the year 2000 two signs were added to the RD 973 indicating "Église Romane du XII eme". The choir stalls, the bell tower and the apse are 12th century. The apse is built entirely out of local stone and vaults support the roof in roofing stones.
The statue of the Madonna commands a view across the valley and was erected to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a miracle at Lourdes on 8 September 1884. Local school children traditionally visited the monument on The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 15 August but the last procession was in the 1960s. Latterly the statue also became a war memorial.
Demographics
Highlights
The twelfth century church opposite the town hall is classified by the l'Architecte de Batiments de France. This affords protection to the houses in le Bourg, with planning permission requiring their approval as well as the local maire.
Horse-riding is available nearby and there are public swimming pools within a short distance. In the summer months camp sites at Épinac,
Arnay le Duc
Arnay-le-Duc () is a commune in the Côte-d'Or department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of eastern France.
The inhabitants of the commune are known as ''Arnétois'' or ''Arnétoises''
Geography
Arnay-le-Duc is located some 25 km ...
and Nolay offer swimming in the lakes.
There are many chateaux locally which are well worth a visit, especially the Chateau De La Rochepot which is perched on the hillside just off the D973 to Beaune.
The
Hospices de Beaune
The Hospices de Beaune or Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune is a former charitable almshouse in Beaune, France. It was founded in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin, chancellor of Burgundy, as a hospital for the poor. The original hospital building, the Hôtel-Dieu, one o ...
is one of the most famous places in Burgundy and its roof is the signature of the
Dukes of Burgundy
Duke of Burgundy (french: duc de Bourgogne) was a title used by the rulers of the Duchy of Burgundy, from its establishment in 843 to its annexation by France in 1477, and later by Holy Roman Emperors and Kings of Spain from the House of Habsburg ...
.
There are a multitude of excursions, hikes and walks, in almost the whole of the commune. The
Morvan
The Morvan (historically Morvand from the Latin ''Murvinnum'' 590)Pierre-Henri Billy, ''Dictionnaire des noms de lieux de la France'', éditions Errance, 640 pages, 2011 , is a mountainous massif lying just to the west of the Côte d'Or escar ...
National Park, the equivalent of a rich man's Lake District in the UK, was the base for the
French Resistance
The French Resistance (french: La Résistance) was a collection of organisations that fought the German occupation of France during World War II, Nazi occupation of France and the Collaborationism, collaborationist Vichy France, Vichy régim ...
in the Second World War and is a short drive away. You can also use the area as a base for skiing holidays to the Jura (1 hour away) or
Chamonix
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc ( frp, Chamôni), more commonly known as Chamonix, is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. It was the site of the first Winter Olympics in 1924. In 2019, it ha ...
(2 hours away).
Excellent vineyards of the
Côte-d'Or
Côte-d'Or (; literally, "Golden Slope") is a département in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of Northeastern France. In 2019, it had a population of 534,124.Côte Chalonnaise
Côte Chalonnaise is a subregion of the Burgundy wine region of France. Côte Chalonnaise lies to the south of the Côte d'Or continuing the same geology southward. It is still in the main area of Burgundy wine production but it includes no Grand c ...
are just nearby. There are 68 million bottles of wine produced from the appellation contrôlée areas of the
Côte-d'Or
Côte-d'Or (; literally, "Golden Slope") is a département in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of Northeastern France. In 2019, it had a population of 534,124.Wine tasting
Wine tasting is the sensory examination and evaluation of wine. While the practice of wine tasting is as ancient as its production, a more formalized methodology has slowly become established from the 14th century onward. Modern, professional w ...
is a popular pastime with degustation available at numerous caves in the area. If you're an oenophile you won't be disappointed. Wine tasting is a highlight of the area and the history of wine in this region is a rich one. The vineyards, many of which are near the D973, read like a who's who of both red and white wine: Pommard, Volnay,
Gevrey-Chambertin
Gevrey-Chambertin () is a commune in the Côte-d'Or department of France in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in eastern France.
,
Nuits-Saint-Georges
Nuits-Saint-Georges () is a commune in the arrondissement of Beaune of the Côte-d'Or department in eastern France. It lies in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.
Wine
Nuits-Saint-Georges is the main town of the Côte de Nuits wine-produc ...
Aloxe-Corton
Aloxe-Corton () is a commune in the Côte-d'Or
Côte-d'Or (; literally, "Golden Slope") is a département in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of Northeastern France. In 2019, it had a population of 534,124.Savigny-lès-Beaune
Savigny-lès-Beaune (, literally ''Savigny near Beaune'') is a commune in the Côte-d'Or department in eastern France.Chorey-lès-Beaune,
Beaune
Beaune () is the wine capital of Burgundy in the Côte d'Or department in eastern France. It is located between Lyon and Dijon. Beaune is one of the key wine centers in France, and the center of Burgundy wine production and business. The annu ...
Monthélie
Monthelie () is a commune in the Côte-d'Or department
Department may refer to:
* Departmentalization, division of a larger organization into parts with specific responsibility
Government and military
*Department (administrative division), a ...
Montrachet ''For the restaurant, see Montrachet (restaurant)''
Montrachet (pronounced ''Mon-rashay''; ) is an ''Appellation d'origine contrôlée'' (AOC) and Grand Cru vineyard for white wine made of Chardonnay in the Côte de Beaune subregion of Burgundy ...
Mercurey
Mercurey () is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of eastern France.
The village dates from pre-historic times and is the most widely recognized and important wine village of the Côte Chalonnais ...
Buxy
Buxy () is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in the region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in eastern France. It was the headquarters of a medieval hospital which was the hospital of Tornus in the 17th century.
History
Buxy was the pro ...
Calais
Calais ( , , traditionally , ) is a port city in the Pas-de-Calais department, of which it is a subprefecture. Although Calais is by far the largest city in Pas-de-Calais, the department's prefecture is its third-largest city of Arras. The p ...
and
Boulogne-sur-Mer
Boulogne-sur-Mer (; pcd, Boulonne-su-Mér; nl, Bonen; la, Gesoriacum or ''Bononia''), often called just Boulogne (, ), is a coastal city in Northern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department of Pas-de-Calais. Boulogne lies on the C� ...
and can be reached by motorway via Paris or
Rheims
Reims ( , , ; also spelled Rheims in English) is the most populous city in the French department of Marne, and the 12th most populous city in France. The city lies northeast of Paris on the Vesle river, a tributary of the Aisne.
Founded b ...
, with the last half an hour from
Beaune
Beaune () is the wine capital of Burgundy in the Côte d'Or department in eastern France. It is located between Lyon and Dijon. Beaune is one of the key wine centers in France, and the center of Burgundy wine production and business. The annu ...
via the ''
route des Grands Crus
The Route des Grands Crus (roughly, "road of the great wines") is the name of a tourist route situated in Burgundy, France.
The approximately 60-kilometre route runs along the foot of the Côte d'Or escarpment, from Dijon in the north to Sante ...
'' and the
vineyards
A vineyard (; also ) is a plantation of grape-bearing vines, grown mainly for winemaking, but also raisins, table grapes and non-alcoholic grape juice. The science, practice and study of vineyard production is known as viticulture. Vine ...
of the Côte and Hautes
Côte de Beaune
The Côte de Beaune area is the southern part of the Côte d'Or, the limestone ridge that is home to the great names of Burgundy wine. The Côte de Beaune starts between Nuits-Saint-Georges and Beaune, and extends southwards for about 25 k ...
. The French motorway system is second to none and Switzerland, Germany and even Italy are all within a few hours drive.
There are cheap flights from the UK to
Lyon
Lyon,, ; Occitan: ''Lion'', hist. ''Lionés'' also spelled in English as Lyons, is the third-largest city and second-largest metropolitan area of France. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône, to the northwest of ...
or
Geneva
Geneva ( ; french: Genève ) frp, Genèva ; german: link=no, Genf ; it, Ginevra ; rm, Genevra is the second-most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich) and the most populous city of Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Situ ...
which are only 2 hours drive from the commune.
The
TGV
The TGV (french: Train à Grande Vitesse, "high-speed train"; previously french: TurboTrain à Grande Vitesse, label=none) is France's intercity high-speed rail service, operated by SNCF. SNCF worked on a high-speed rail network from 1966 to 1 ...
rail link passes close by and a 20-minute drive to
Gare du Creusot TGV
Le Creusot TGV station ( French: ''Gare du Creusot TGV'', officially ''Le Creusot-Montceau-Montchanin'') is a railway station on the LGV Sud-Est providing TGV high-speed train services to the city of Le Creusot, Saône-et-Loire, France. It was i ...
means you can park your car (free) at the station and take a day trip (or longer) to Paris or even London.
Neighboring places
The market towns of Épinac, Nolay and la Rochepot are within 3 miles each side of the commune where there are supermarkets, garages and restaurants.
Highlights of the area north of Saisy include
Beaune
Beaune () is the wine capital of Burgundy in the Côte d'Or department in eastern France. It is located between Lyon and Dijon. Beaune is one of the key wine centers in France, and the center of Burgundy wine production and business. The annu ...
(of course), Clos de Vougeot, the 15th century Hôtel-Dieu, Beaune, medieval Chateau de la Rochepot is only away.
To the southwest, 20 minutes along the D973 from the commune of Saisy and the gateway to the
Morvan
The Morvan (historically Morvand from the Latin ''Murvinnum'' 590)Pierre-Henri Billy, ''Dictionnaire des noms de lieux de la France'', éditions Errance, 640 pages, 2011 , is a mountainous massif lying just to the west of the Côte d'Or escar ...
National Park is the city of
Autun
Autun () is a subprefecture of the Saône-et-Loire department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of central-eastern France. It was founded during the Principate era of the early Roman Empire by Emperor Augustus as Augustodunum to give ...
. Even before it was conquered by
Julius Cæsar
Gaius Julius Caesar (; ; 12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC), was a Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in a civil war, and ...
,
Autun
Autun () is a subprefecture of the Saône-et-Loire department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of central-eastern France. It was founded during the Principate era of the early Roman Empire by Emperor Augustus as Augustodunum to give ...
was a bustling city. Through the centuries it has been renowned for its Roman ruins, the 12th Century Cathedral, its Romanesque sculptures, its Rolin Museum and its history.