Mâcon is the capital of the department of Saône-et-Loire, in Burgundy-Franche-Comté region.
With about 34 000 inhabitants, 60 km south of Chalon-sur-Saône and 80 km north of Lyon, it is the most southern Burgundy city on the west bank of the Saône between Bresse And the Beaujolais to the south.
Its dwellings with colored facades and roofs covered with Romanesque tiles already announce the south. In fact, since the Roman period, Mâcon is a crossroads of roads (by road and river) and is then on the border between the kingdom of France and the Germanic empire until 1600. A position which Authorizes it to levy customs duties ensuring its development.
In addition to the vineyards and farmland surrounding it, the town's economic activity is based on its river port and logistics (road transport).
Mâcon which has preserved its rich historical architectural heritage is also now a privileged tourist stage, offering a varied cultural programming and a quality environment. A marina on the Saône and many gastronomic specialties often linked to its vineyard is to be highlighted.
A walk in the city center allows you to appreciate the historical heritage of Mâcon.
It includes, as far as religious buildings are concerned, the Old Saint-Vincent, namely the remains of the old Romanesque cathedral (towers and entrance porticoes remarkable). Inside, plans and models evoke the history of the classified site (free admission every day except Monday, information on +33 3 85 39 90 38).
Next to see the present Cathedral of Saint Vincent decided and financed by Napoleon (1808). Of classic style, one will notice its stained glass windows and its decoration realized at the end of XIXe.
More recently (1860), the church of Saint-Pierre is the work of a pupil of Viollet le Duc, Berthier. Its three-storeyed façade, its portals with elaborate tympanums, its two steeples with stone arrows, and several listed elements, including a bas-relief of a marble altar by Perrache (18th century).
The old Ursuline convent (17th century), which was later a prison, now houses a museum that evokes the history of the city (archaeological collections), allows to admire the works of local painters but also has a dedicated floor To Lamartine, the famous poet and politician born in Mâcon. Closed on Mondays. Free entry for children under 26 years old. Price: 2.50 euros. Information on +33 3 85 39 90 38.
The Hôtel-Dieu apothecary (18th century), with its ornaments and collections of pharmaceutical equipment, is still to be included in a visit to the city. Free admission.
Place aux Herbes, a detour is needed to admire the Wooden House (end of the 15th) and its wooden facade decorated with scenes sometimes grivoises.
The fortified bridge of Saint-Laurent (13th century, extended in the 16th century), the Mémorial citoyen, a memorial site dedicated to conflicts from 1870 to the present day, with historical evocations and exhibitions (price: 1 and 3 euros, information on +33 3 85 34 51 03) must also be included in a city tour.
For a guided tour or to follow the course with marking and interactive terminals arranged by the Tourist Office, please call +33 3 85 21 07 07.
A walk in the city can include a stage in one of the parks and gardens that make Mâcon a green city (6000 m² of wooded or flowered areas): Saint-Nicolas meadow, valley of the Rigolettes, square of the Peace...
For lovers of hiking or mountain biking, a rich range of routes at the start or crossing the city is available: some include the vineyard, others follow all or part of the dirt road (or haulage when following the Saône) Connecting Mâcon to Lyon (75 km). There is also the blue track (35 km to Tournus) or the greenway (120 km of road reserved for skaters, cyclists or even pedestrians using old railways).
All information on routes and degrees of difficulty, even the possibility of renting bicycles on +33 3 85 21 07 07.
On the river side, learning the pleasures and secrets of catfish fishing is an unusual activity. Please call +33 3 85 39 07 50.
Close to the marina (400 rings) which connects the Saône to the Mediterranean basin, you can also practice water skiing (from mid-June to mid-September). Contact the +33 6 80 75 19 35.
From 1 April to 31 October, why not discover Mâcon and its surroundings by renting a boat without a permit? For further information, please call +33 3 86 91 72 72.
Finally, you will not hesitate to frequent the community aquatic center (open pools accessible in summer, play areas or wellness). Information on +33 3 85 21 11 30.
From the end of June to the end of August, the Été Frappé festival offers concerts of all kinds (classical music, jazz, rock), free of charge, in various places of the city (esplanade Lamartine, Ursulines museum, etc.). Dance shows, theater and screenings of outdoor movies are also offered.
At the end of July, the Crescent Jazz Festival will host internationally renowned artists for a week.
At the beginning of October, the festival Effervescence is aimed at moviegoers on the theme of the 5 senses. Screenings of films and meetings with directors.
In November, on Mâcon and its surroundings, the Festival of the Harvest of Humor makes the show of the show distilling laughter and good humor.
In another register, the rich gourmet heritage of Mâcon and Burgundy can be discovered on the markets of the city: Wednesday morning Place des Commerces, Thursday morning Place Gardon, Saturday morning esplanade Lamartine (with regular entertainment according to Seasons).
Exposition d'Oeuvres d'art
- From 9 february to 12 april 2024
- 29 Boulevard Général Leclerc, Maison des Ateliers
- On 17 June 2017, the centre of Portugal where my family lives burnt down ! - It was a fire of unprecedented violence. - Other fires continued to rage that same year. - That year, the entire country was engulfed in a gigantic inferno, making it the deadliest year in Portugal's history. It was an immense trauma. - When I arrived on the scene, everywhere I looked was desolation. Everything was ashes and shades of grey and black. I felt a compelling need to paint the fire that had consumed everything in its path. - My first canvases were dark, blackened with thick, suffocating dust. Then, gradually, colours appeared. Shy at the beginning of the creative process, then more and more assertive. - These colours and the nervous brushstrokes testify to the power of life, of rebirth. This fire continues to give me the impetus to paint to this day. - Completely letting go, alone in my studio. Today, for the very first time, I have finally decided to show this abstract work. - I've been waiting to find the right time and place to do it. I've found it in La Maison des Ateliers. - An exceptional place, full of charm and conviviality.
Conversation Carbone
- From 13 february to 19 march 2024
- 24 rue de l'Héritan, MJC Héritan
- Cycle of 6 Tuesdays from 13 February, 7-9pm. - Six 2-hour group sessions to help me reduce my carbon footprint, without going crazy and while having fun ! - Explore the 4 areas of my life : housing, transport, consumption, to find margins for action in order to draw up a 3-year action plan to halve my CO2 footprint. - Workshop led by Marie-Laure and Vincent rouzé. Goat farmers for 30 years, they have been trained since 2018 in popularising climate issues.
Méditations Sonores
- From 4 march to 3 june 2024
- 29 rue Franche, Le Jardin
- Sound meditations with Jérôme Cannet, sound therapist and musician. - Thibetan bowls, drums & voice. - Complimentary herbal tea and nibbles.
La Fête du Court Métrage
- On 20 march 2024
- 24 rue de l'Héritan, MJC Héritan
- 3 slots : - Ages 5 to 7, from 10am to 10.45am. - Ages 7 to 11, from 10.45am to 11.30am. - Teen selection, from 2pm to 3.30pm. - Film buffs and novices, young audiences, families and enthusiasts, come and explore the magic of short films and discover our selections of short films. - Workshop led by the Tiers Lieu animator and the Espace Jeunes animators.
Visite Ludique en Famille "Pas un Geste !"
- On 20 march 2024
- 5 Rue de la préfecture, Musée des Ursulines
- With a tour focusing on gestures, and more specifically on the use of the hand, learn how to interpret the various meanings associated with them. - A word of advice : take your courage in both hands and sign up ! - For a great family day out, the museum offers a range of fun activities, creative workshops and courses for young and old alike. - Not recommended for under-10s. Children accompanied by at least one adult. Bookings required. Public : Family. Duration : 1 hour - In partnership with Le Théâtre - Scène nationale de Mâcon, around the show Dicklove (21 and 22 March)
L'Impact du Changement Climatique sur l'eau
- On 21 march 2024
- 24 rue de l'Héritan, MJC Héritan
- 10 / €7 (members) / Free for secondary school pupils and students under 25. Tickets available at reception or from the MJC website. - Water resources are having a major impact on current and future climate change. - Adapting to this requires an understanding of how the resource will evolve in the near future, taking into account the uncertainty of climate projections and the complexity of the processes linking climate and water resources. - Through the results of the hyccare bourgogne project, we will see how this scientific challenge can be met to raise political and public awareness. - Moderated by Philippe amiotte suchet, hydrologist, University of Burgundy.
Atelier Dégustation : l'Armagnac
- On 21 march 2024
- 29 Boulevard Général Leclerc, Maison des Ateliers
- Information : - Discovery and theory, - The history of the region, - The terroir, - Distillation, - Experience and tasting, - Tasting and analysis of 6 spirits, including one blind tasting. - Who is it for ? - The adventurous, the curious, the daring, those who love new discoveries. Alone, with friends, with family… No pre-requisites, Fabrice is there to guide you every step of the way.
Atelier Pâtisserie Sans Gluten et Sans Lactose
- On 21 march 2024
- 29 Boulevard Général Leclerc, Maison des Ateliers
- Information : - You'll go home with your preparations (and what's more, you'll be able to taste some on the spot !). - For a more eco-responsible approach, we invite you to come along with empty containers. - This is a fun and friendly workshop, suitable for both amateurs and experts. For the over-12s only. - Aprons, tea towels and recipes are provided on site. - Ask for the list of allergens present. - 6 places available - Who's it for ? - The adventurous, the curious, the daring, those who love new things. Alone with friends, with family… No pre-requisites, Salomé is there to guide you every step of the way.
Dicklove
- From 21 to 22 march 2024
- 1511 Avenue Charles de Gaulle, Le Théâtre, scène nationale de Mâcon
- Surrounded by bleachers, on a mini stage, a man cross-dresses as a woman even though he is a woman. Or is it a woman who decides she is a man while playing a woman ? - What am I ? How does sex determine gender ? Does our behaviour reflect our gender or vice versa ? From tomboy to wild little girl, Juglair tells us all about her experiences as a child, both funny and moving. The androgynous acrobat dynamites gendered representations to the point of grotesqueness, with finesse and without aggression. - Dicklove is not acrobatics, it's not clowning, it's not dance, it's not theatre, it's not drag, it's not cabaret : it's all of the above. Why choose ? - By defending the idea of opening up to all possibilities, Juglair, accompanied by an equally explosive musician, invites us to an authentic, jubilant and crazy experience. - It's a mix of genres that'll make you lose your masculine and feminine side !
Atelier Cuisine - Les Bases de la Cuisine : les Sauces Chaudes Traditionnelles
- On 22 march 2024
- 29 Boulevard Général Leclerc, Maison des Ateliers
- Information : - You'll go home with your preparations (and what's more, you'll be able to taste some on the spot !). - For a more eco-responsible approach, we invite you to bring empty containers if you wish. - This is a fun, friendly workshop for both amateurs and experts. Reserved for people aged 12 and over. - Aprons, tea towels and recipes provided on site. - Ask for the list of allergens present. - 6 places available. - Who should attend ? - The adventurous, the curious, the daring, those who love new things. Alone, with friends, with family… No pre-requisites, Salomé is there to guide you every step of the way.