Send Gift Baskets to Chalon-sur-Saone, France

Musée Nicéphore-Niépce

From 1826 or 1827, Nicéphore Niépce was credited with taking the first ever photograph, View from the Window at Le Gras. A few of Niépce’s inventions can be found in the museum, including the early bicycle he invented, the velocipede.

Musée Vivant-Denon

Chalon-sur-Saône’s art and history museum was named after Vivant Denon, who headed the Louvre under Napoleon and pioneered archaeology, art history, Egyptology, and museology.

Chalon Cathedral

the town’s cathedral is an example of Burgundy’s rich religious history. The building has a great mishmash of architecture because it has a long and complicated history.

Côte Chalonnaise Wine

Chalon is on Burgundy’s Route des Grands Vins, and the Côte Chalonnaise stretches from the south of the Côte d’Or to the Maranges vineyards, which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Chemin de l’Orbandale

The tourist office has created a walking trail around Chalon’s old center. Each stop has a description, which can be downloaded from the website or obtained from the office.

Ancien Hôpital Saint-Laurent

On the Île Saint-Laurent, the town’s old hospital was founded in 1530 under Francis I and visited by Victor Hugo.

Place Saint Vincent

This is the friendly and charming square in front of the cathedral. Restaurants and bars line almost every corner of Place Saint-Vincent, while four-story timber-framed houses line three sides.

Quai des Messageries

This quay begins just west of the Pont Saint-Laurent, one of the prettiest spots along the right bank of the Saône. A broad walkway shades the benches underneath a row of plane trees by the water.

Espace Nautique du Grand Chalon

It’s east of the town center where Chalon’s modern aquatic center is located. While a pool complex might not seem like the most fun day out, this one is classy: The center has indoor and outdoor pools, and there are lots of things to do in the summer.

Église Saint-Pierre

Built as a Benedictine chapel at the turn of the 18th century, this church is a sight to behold. In the 1800s, the outside was given a Byzantine Revival makeover, but the inside still has its Italianate Baroque design.