Chalon-sur-Saône, is in the region of southern Burgundy on the banks of the river Saône. This town is the embarkation/Debarkation port for Essence of Provence and Burgundy river cruises. If you are a wine connoisseur then you will love Chalon-sur-Saône as it is at the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise wine region. Let’s look into what are some other highlights of this lovely town of Chalon-sur-Saône, France!
Highlights of Chalon-sur-Saône, France
Musée Nicéphore-Niépce
This fascinating museum is Chalon-sur-Saône’s claim to fame. Nicéphore Niépce was born in Chalon-sur-Saône and is said to have taken the first-ever photograph. He took “View from the Window at Le Gras” around 1826. In the museum, you will learn about his work and his inventions. But, the main exhibit is photography. They have a collection of more than 1500 cameras and 3,000,000 (yes, three million) photographs from the 1800s and 1900s developed in quite a few different ways. For photographers, this is an absolute must-see but it is also very interesting for picture lovers in general.
Musée Vivant-Denon
The Denon Museum is an art and history museum with thousands of artifacts, sculptures, and art spanning almost 100,000 years. The museum honors Vivant Denon who was born in Chalon and was a trailblazer in archaeology, art history, Egyptology, and museology as director of the Louvre. There is a section devoted to Denon.
Église Saint-Pierre
This beautiful church was built as a Benedictine chapel around the beginning of the 1700’s. The inside has an Italian Baroque style. While visiting you will learn about very interesting people who were ordained here. There is also an organ crafted in 1812 that is worth seeing.
Place Saint-Vincent
The charming town square should be one of your must-see places. Bars and restaurants surround the square and are the perfect place to sit, relax, and people watch. The renaissance-style buildings around the square bring a lot of character and a cozy feeling. A modern sculpture brings a fun contrast to the history.
Quai des Messageries
This is a lovely spot on the right bank of the Saône. Walk along the banks or rest on benches shaded by trees. There is a nice view across the river of the tower, Tour du Doyenné, the old hospital as well as the grassy riverbank. The tourist office is nearby which is a great place to get self-guided tour information.
If you would like more information about river cruises that visit Chalon-sur-Saône please contact me. I would love to help you plan your next river cruise vacation in France!
Vienne Jazz Festival: One of the most unique and largest in Europe
Roman Amphitheater built in 1 AD is the main stage for the Vienne Jazz Festival.
Just a few miles south of Lyon, France, on the banks of the Rhone River, you have the opportunity to attend one of the largest Jazz Festivals in Europe, the Vienne Jazz Festival.
Vienne, France is deeply rooted in Roman history. One of the must see destinations in Vienne is the Roman amphitheater built in 1 A.D. One great way to see this fascinating site is at the Annual Vienne Jazz Festival! The acoustics and history of the setting make this festival very unique.
When is the Vienne Jazz Festival
The Vienne Jazz Festival is held every year in late June/Early July. The dates for the 2021 festival is June 23rd-July 10th.
What’s at the Vienne Jazz Festival
The festival hosts many world-renown jazz and blues artists. Artists such as Miles Davis, Stan Gets, Claude Challe, Sonny Rollins, Bobby McFerrin and Tom Misch have performed on this iconic stage since the festival’s founding in 1981.
Ever year, over 200,000 concert goers listen to hundreds of artist spread throughout 4 stages. In addition to the main amphitheater stage, a smaller stage holds daytime concerts and a couple late night venues hold events for those wanting to listen into the wee hours. If you have young ones traveling with you, they will love the children’s concerts.
Jazz music is not all you will find at the festival. Other activities such as projections, film screenings, book readings, conferences and workshops will educate and entertain guest with everything from gospel music to yoga with jazz. You will also hear music other than jazz such as soul, funk, blues, R&B, folk, hip hop and world music.
While main stage headliner concerts will require tickets most events and activities are free.
Jazz à Vienne means jazz anytime, anywhere for anyone.
See Vienne Jazz Festival on a river cruise
A river cruise is a great way to enjoy the Vienne Jazz Festival. Vienne, France is a port stop on river cruises down the Rhone River. If you are sailing on AmaWaterways, the Colors of Provence cruise will be perfect. You have a couple of options to work the festival into your vacation.
Attend a concert on the day you are in port in Vienne. If you sail on the Colors of Provence itinerary from Lyon, Vienne will be your port of call on Day 3 (the sailings going the opposite direction do not have as much time in Vienne). For 2021 you can choose between two sailing dates, June 24, 2021 (not as much time in Vienne) and July 1, 2021(best option). AmaWaterways Essence of Burgundy and Provence cruise is also an option but the stop is short. Other cruise lines have stops in Vienne in which you could catch a festival concert.
Add a couple of days in Lyon, France either before or after your river cruise. AmaWaterways Colors of Provence itineraty either begins or ends in Lyon. Lyon is just a short train ride or drive from Vienne so it makes a great place to extend your river cruise. You can not only attend the festival you can also spend more time eating your way through Lyon, the Gastronomy Capital of France.
If you would like more information about river cruises that include Vienne, France and the Vienne Jazz Festival, please contact me.
As you know, I think river cruising is a fantastic way to see Europe and France’s Provence region is no exception. Sailing down the Rhone River is a perfect way to view the countryside and visit the towns. Lyon, France is often a beginning or ending point for Provence river cruises. But what is there to do? Well, aside from the food (Lyon is considered the Gastronomic Capital of France) there is so much to see and do in this easy to navigate city.
If you are traveling by river cruise then you will have an overview tour of Lyon included. But, what if you have already been on that tour or want to venture out on your own. The tours usually visit the 19th-century basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière, the St. Jean District and Cathedral, Palace of Justice, and Lyon Old Town. Let’s discover more of Lyon, France. Read on for some unique things to do in Lyon, France!
Navigate the Traboules
Winding their way throughout the city, the traboules are a perfect way to experience the city’s colorful and hidden past. There is thought to be more than 400 traboules but only around 40 are open to the public. If you don’t want to hunt for the passages yourself then head to the tourist office on Place Bellecour for a self guided map or guided tour.
The passages are mainly located in Vieux Lyon, La Croix-Rousse, and in La Presqu’île. Originally they were used to help the silk workers get to the riverbank quickly. Later they were used to aid the resistance in WWII. Most all the traboules are on private property so be respectful.
Picnic in Parc de la Tête d’Or
This park sits atop the ritzy 6th arrondissement on the east side of the Rhône. Along with beautiful grounds for a picnic, you can visit a beautiful botanical garden, paddleboat on the lake, or see animals at the zoo. In the spring don’t miss the rose garden! With lunch from one of the delicious charcuteries or boulangeries, this is a wonderful way to spend a couple hours.
Visit the Croix-Rousse
This neighborhood sits atop the other hill in Lyon. To get there you can walk up La Montée de la Grande Côte which is a pedestrian path with boutiques and cafe’s on either side. The buildings are a sight to be seen from below and on the way up the hill. And at the top there is a small park which has a beautiful view of the city.
This is also the location of the largest outdoor market in Lyon. Open early in the day Tuesday-Sunday, this is another perfect place to get some lunch and picnic in the park!
Musée Miniature et Cinéma
Lyon, France is the home to many museums but the Musée Miniature et Cinéma is one of the most unique things to do in Lyon, France. In fact, it is the only one of it’s kind. Located in Vieux-Lyon this museum is dedicated to two things: miniatures and film props. The main attraction is the over 100 different miniature scenes created by Dan Ohlmann. The attention to detail and craftsmanship is astounding!
The other section of the museum houses more than 300 authentic movie props, artifacts and models from the last 50 years. A truly unique experience!
The Murals of Lyon
Discover the distinct culture of Lyon, France through the more than 100 murals painted on walls around the city. These huge murals are painted in the trompe l’oeil style. The paintings depict historical events, important people, or just the everyday moments of life in Lyon.
The most famous mural is La Fresque des Lyonnais. Located near the Quai Saint Vincent on 2 rue de la Martinière, this painting depicts many famous people of Lyon.
The oldest mural is Le mur des canuts. You can find it on Boulevard des Canuts near the Henon metro.
Otherwise, just keep your eye out and your camera ready as you tour the city!
Have you done something in Lyon, France that was unique or off the beaten path? Let me know in the comments below!
If you would like more information about river cruises that have Lyon, France as part of the itinerary please contact me. I would love to help!
Many river cruise lines begin their cruises of the Provence region of France in Lyon. Lyon is a beautiful city and quite easy to navigate. It is the perfect beginning as it sits on both the Rhône and Saône Rivers creating a beautiful landscape and a hub of trade (think ingredients for delicious cusine). Lyon, France has become the gastronomy capital of France for good reason. Read on and learn fantastic places to experience in Lyon, France, the gastronomy capital of France!
Why is Lyon the food capital of France?
Lyon, France is world renoun for its delicious and hearty meals. They are know for simple meals cooked with local produce. But there also are many chefs in Lyon daily creating modern, inventive dishes to delight even the most astute foodie. Much of the food in Lyon is rich, leaning on the long heritage of traditional cooking.
Lyon is situated in the perfect location to become a foodie mecca. All around the region come specialties–veggies from farms in Charolais, fish from Savoy, port from Monts du Lyonnais, and of course, wine and cheese from the Rhone Valley. Oh, let’s not forget the ‘royalty’ of chickens from Bresse. They cook up like no other chicken you have ever tasted.
Let’s also not forget that Lyon is home to 1500 restaurants, 13 of which have Michelin Stars. But you don’t need to go to a gourmet, Starred restaurant to indulge your tastebuds. The other secret to Lyonnaise gastronomy is the bouchons (traditional Lyonnaise restaurants), food markets, and the dedicated shops–charcuteries, fromageries, chocolatiers, and boulangeries.
Authentic places to find food in Lyon, France
A traditional Bouchon
A bouchon is a traditional Lyonnaise restaurant that is unique to Lyon and a part of their history. These small, family-owned bistros each serve a specific type of food, and have their own casual atmosphere. Think simple, inexpensive meals in a friendly atmosphere. Some bouchons might not even have a menu but instead the owner informs you of what he is serving that day. This is a great way to try different Lyonnaise specialties!
The bouchon orriginated as a result of hard working Lyonnise “Mothers” who started restaurants out of necessity to their family and the silk workers. These women began Lyon on their culinary path to greatness, and have taught many chefs to carry on the tradition.
Recommended Bouchons
More than 300 restaurants claim to be a bouchon but some are imposters. They might not respect the traditional aspects as well(food quality, source, home-made dishes, hospitality and atmosphere). If you are looking for a true bouchon, the Lyon Chamber of Commerce created a label to help–Les Bouchons Lyonnais–which will be clearly posted in the window.
Listed are some highly rated bouchons. Note: Download “The Fork”, Europe’s Open Table app as it will be helpful finding great food all over Europe. Oh, and check out this post from jadorelyon.com describing bouchons and how to pick authentic ones.
Cafe Comtoir Abel–25 rue Guynemer, 69002 Lyon–AUTHENTIC–Average price €25
La Tête de Lard –13, rue Désirée, 69001 Lyon–Average price €25
Lyon Outdoor Markets
Market of Croix-Rousse (largest and most famous one in Lyon)–Open Tuesday-Sunday 6am-1pm–1 Kilometer of stalls offering fresh and local items; fruit, veggies, cheeses, meat, fish, bread, and flowers. Saturday is organic day.
Saint Antoine Farmers Market–Open Tuesday-Sunday 6am-1pm–You will find an abundance of meats, cheeses, produce and other specialties of Lyon along the Saône banks between Place des Terreaux and Place Bellecour.
Halles de Lyon
Halles de Lyon boasts as the premier indoor market in Lyon. This market was renamed in honor of top French chef Paus Bocuse or Monsieur Paul (hmmm…Epcot has a Signature restaruant also named after this famous chef). People looking for the best regional items will find them here, on the left bank of the Rhône. This market is a little more expensive than the outdoor markets but well worth the visit. The market is open Tuesday to Saturday 7am-10pm and 2pm on Sundays (but the vendors only bring so much product so get there as early as possible).
If you want an extra special experience with a knowlegable guide, there are tours of the market available. Not only do you get to savor many of the specialty foods but you also hear stories about the gastronomic history of Lyon. Your travel advisor can point you in the right direction.
Specialty shops
If you want a little taste of different foods, try some of the many specialty shops might be just for you.
Fromagerie Tête d’Or—51 Rue Tete d’Or 69006 Lyon–delicious cheeses and dairy products
Reynon Traiteur–13 Rue des Archers, 69002 Lyon–famous for its sausages but also has wonderful salads, fresh meats, Bresse chickens and other gourmet foods
Le Comptoir du Poulet–14 rue Constantine 69001 Lyon–an inexpensive meal of succulent roasted chicken and potatoes, also serving a selection of sandwiches and other sides
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