About twenty kilometres from Beaune, in Burgundy, don't miss Nolay, a pretty little medieval town in the south of Côte-d'Or. Nestled in a valley between famous vineyards and limestone cliffs, it has a typical heritage of beautiful old half-timbered houses and a splendid 14th-century covered market hall. The market has a roof of Burgundian flagstone tiles (lauzes) as well as an impressive framework of oak and chestnut wood. Together with the houses and the church, it forms a very pretty picture that amateur photographers will enjoy immortalising!
Dedicated to St. Martin, the 15th-century church is distinguished by its 38-metre-high Gothic stone spire and its campanile, which houses the Jacquot and Jacquotte jacquemarts. These two wooden figures have been ringing the hours for over 400 years.
Take a stroll through the medieval streets, visit the small shops and art galleries or sit at one of the café terraces to enjoy the peaceful and authentic atmosphere. You can also take a detour via the Saint-Pierre district to admire its small 16th-century chapel topped by a stunning onion dome bell tower.
Climbing and hiking enthusiasts should head west of Nolay, where a 40-metre-tall limestone cliff awaits them, as well as a cirque, the Bout du Monde, from which a superb waterfall flows.
