Set on the banks of the Saône, Mâcon is a historically rich city in the Burgundy region of France. It was originally established as a river port by the Celts before being fortified by the Romans, with a famous hoard known as the Mâcon Treasure discovered here in 1764.
Things to do in Mâcon
In the heart of the city is the Mâcon Cathedral, a Neoclassical-style house of worship fronted by four soaring columns. It was built in the early 19th century on the designs of Alexandre de Gisors, with one of its towers topped by a belvedere now a symbol of Mâcon. Also of note is the Romanesque Revival-style Église Saint-Pierre de Mâcon with its 53-metre-high towers.
The Mâcon Cathedral is a short stroll from the Musée des Ursulines, which occupies a convent dating back to 1675. It was used as a prison following the French Revolution before becoming a military barracks. In addition to detailing life in Mâcon, the museum showcases archaeological findings from the city’s Gallo-Roman and medieval periods. Artwork spanning the last 500 years is also on display.
One of Mâcon’s most fascinating buildings is La Maison de Bois, a 16th-century residence that features three wooden floors carved with animals and masked characters. It’s the oldest surviving building in the city and houses a restaurant on its lower floor. Combine your visit with a stroll along the Saône, which is spanned by the arched bridge of Pont Saint-Laurent.
Getting around Mâcon
Mâcon is just under an hour’s drive from Lyon and slightly over an hour from Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Regular trains connect to the Mâcon railway station and buses travel throughout the city.