Free walking tours in Cluny and what to see

Must-sees

Cluny is in southern Burgundy, in Saône-et-Loire, between the hills of the Clunisois and the vineyards of the Mâconnais. Its Benedictine abbey, founded in 910, headed a network of monasteries across Europe during the Middle Ages. Of the great abbey church, the Maior Ecclesia, one arm of the transept still stands, with soaring vaults that give an idea of its size. The visit continues through the farinier, a 13th-century granary holding capitals from the choir, the Jean de Bourbon chapel and the 18th-century monastic buildings, with their large cloister.

Outside the abbey grounds, the town keeps medieval stone houses in the streets of the centre, some with Romanesque façades. Climb the Tour des Fromages to see the rooftops and the outline of what remains of the abbey from above. The art and archaeology museum, in the Palais Jean de Bourbon, rounds off the visit with carved pieces from the old monastery. Right next to the abbey is the Haras national, a historic stud farm built on part of the monastic grounds.

Free tours and guided visits

Cluny has no regular free walking tours. What Civitatis offers is a ticket for the abbey, which lets you explore the remains of the church, the farinier and the cloister at your own pace. The tourist office runs guided tours for groups by reservation. If you are travelling independently, the most practical thing is to combine the abbey with your own stroll around the town and, if you have a car, a route through the surrounding vineyards and châteaux.

How long to spend

Allow half a day for the abbey and the museum. With a full day you have time to stroll around the town, climb the Tour des Fromages and visit the Haras. If you stay two days, make the most of the surroundings: the Taizé community, the Château de Cormatin, the wine villages of the Mâconnais or the greenway that runs along the valley by bike.

Where to stay

The most convenient place to stay is the town itself, with small hotels in old houses and chambres d’hôtes a few steps from the abbey. That way you can stroll the centre once the day visitors have left. In the surrounding countryside there are plenty of country cottages, ideal if you are driving. Mâcon, less than half an hour away, has more choice and a high-speed train station.