In the heart of the wine region of Burgundy, the small French city of Mâcon lies beside River Saône, and its citizens are known as Mâconnais. One of the most famous Mâconnais is the poet and politician Alphonse de Lamartine. In the scenic quay close to Pont Saint-Laurent, you can find a statue of this eminent personality. The town used to be known as Matisco, which was once a river port. During the Roman Empire, the town became more developed and economically strong. It not only served as a borderline between the famous Roman Empire and the French kingdom but also as the administrative center for Saône-et-Loire. The city holds a unique charm, with its pastel-themed houses, riverside beauty, and a historic bridge. For accommodation, you’ll find Airbnb vacation rentals that promise a great stay. Planning a trip? Scroll down to discover the best things to do in Mâcon, France.
1. Visit Mâcon Cathedral
The Roman Catholic church Cathédrale Saint-Vincent de Mâcon is one of the main attractions of this town. The name of this cathedral was changed during the year 541 when King Childebert donated the bone of the right arm of Saint Vincent. This relic was brought from the city of Zaragoza, Spain. At the very beginning, the cathedral was dedicated to St Bartholomew. Featuring typical Byzantine architecture, this cathedral once faced demolition at the end of the 18th century. The original two towers are left standing, along with the narthex. The restoration of this church was started during the mid-19th century, which ended at the end of the 20th century and was opened to the public around that time.
Mâcon Cathedral
Address: 240 Rue de Strasbourg, 71000 Mâcon, France
Website: Mâcon Cathedral
2. Spend quiet time at Square de la Paix
Around Square de la Paix, you can enjoy a range of experiences and fun things to do in Mâcon, France. Take a quiet stroll through the beautifully maintained gardens, adorned with sculptures and fountains, providing a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city. The park is perfect for relaxation, reading, or simply enjoying the green surroundings.
Visit the nearby Saint-Vincent Cathedral, a magnificent Romanesque church with impressive architecture and historical significance. Take a short walk to explore the charming streets of Macon’s old town, filled with quaint shops, cafes, and local boutiques. Square de la Paix offers a delightful starting point to immerse yourself in the cultural and natural beauty of Macon.
3. Have a picnic at Vallon des Rigolettes
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Vallon des Rigolettes offers a range of things to do for the family in Mâcon, France. Take leisurely walks along the scenic trails, surrounded by greenery and beautiful flowers. Engage in birdwatching and photography to capture the park’s natural beauty. Families can delight in the playgrounds, perfect for children to play and have fun.
You can spread out a blanket on the lush green lawns, find a shaded spot under the trees, or even set up your picnic near the river Saône to enjoy the tranquil views. It’s a wonderful way to relax, savor delicious food, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the park.
4. Learn about local history at Musée du Souvenir Français
• Place du Souvenir Français, à Flacé-lès-Mâcon, (qui fait maintenant partie de Mâcon) avec un char de défense de la...
Posted by Elizabeth Evelyne Clerc on Tuesday, 10 September 2019
In a beautiful Château of the late 19th century, this museum preserves the history of Mâcon from the 1870s. The museum was opened in the year 1984 by the President of the French Remembrance Committee of Mâcon, Mr. Jean-Claude Bernardet. It displays military memorabilia from 1870, related to this city, and its history afterward. This museum also offers specialized educational programs for explaining the history of this town and its surrounding area. Guided tours are also available on the premises.
Musée du Souvenir Français
Address: 20 Rue du Grand Four, 71000 Mâcon, France
5. Take your kids to Royal Kids Mâcon
Posted by Royal Kids Mâcon on Thursday, 21 July 2016
This indoor sports and recreation club of Mâcon is all set to provide all kinds of entertainment to kids up to 12 years of age. This place is perfect for celebrating their birthdays or taking them for a fun-filled vacation. The huge indoor playground is spread over a huge area, consisting of colorful fun rides. The kids can get crazy amidst its slides, football field, monkey bridges, ball pools and toboggans. While your kid is having the time of their life, you can just grab a snack or browse the internet on their fast wifi in the reserved space for parents.
Royal Kids Mâcon
Address: Suivre Direction Gare TGV, 66 Rue Pouilly Vinzelles, 71000 Mâcon, France
Website: Royal Kids Mâcon
Opening hours Wed: 10am - 7pm; Fri: 3pm - 7pm, Sat - Sun: 10am - 7pm (closed on Mon, Tue & Thu)
Price: 9 USD
6. Explore ancient history at Musée des Ursulines
Musée des Ursulines is also found in an enchanting Château which used to be the Ursuline convent. The museum is one of the best historic places in Mâcon, France, and contains an impressive collection of exhibits to understand the archaeology and fine arts of this region. The ground floor of the museum has architectural remains, statues, and sculptures. There are few exhibits from the prehistoric site of Solutré to offer a glimpse of the pre-historic era of this region. Its second floor is entirely dedicated to the fine arts and there is a fine collection of paintings from the 16th-century era to modern art. The first floor is dedicated to ethnography, represented by various kinds of tools, furniture, and pottery.
Musée des Ursulines
Address: 12 Rue Donnacona, Québec, QC G1R 3Y7, Canada
Website: Musée des Ursulines
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 10 USD
7. Learn about goat farming at Chèvrerie la Trufière
This interesting goat farm is famous for its excellent quality of goat cheese. Its present owner, Sylvain Chopin, joined his family-run goat farm in the year 1995 at the age of 24. At that time, the farm used to produce only milk, with 108 goats and 10 suckler cows. The GAEC Chèvrerie La Trufière of today was born in the year 2000 when he decided to produce goat cheese. Today, this farm has around 150 suckling goats and produces very famous goat cheese, like Tome de Lys, Petit Lys, Cabrin, Tinker Bell, Trufin, Bûche or Fétu, Feuillette, Lingot, etc. This farm is also a center for farm-tourism in the city. Guests can visit the farm and the entire process of farming free of cost.
Chèvrerie la Trufière
Address: La Perrière, 71460 Chissey-lès-Mâcon, France
Website: Chèvrerie la Trufière
Opening hours: 9am - 12pm (daily)
8. Visit the Neo-Romanesque church, Église Saint-Pierre de Mâcon
Found in St. Peter’s Square, opposite the town hall, Saint-Pierre Church of Mâcon is a striking one. The Neo-Romanesque style church was built in the 19th century by architect André Berthier, a student of eminent architect Viollet le Duc. The church presents a façade with three floors with two towers at the top. Its interior has many remarkable items, like a white marble bas-relief on the alter of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, created by an artist named Perrache, from the city of Lyon.
Église Saint-Pierre de Mâcon
Address: 11 Place Saint-Pierre, 71000 Mâcon, France
Website: Église Saint-Pierre de Mâcon
9. Party hard at Club 400
Posted by Club 400 on Tuesday, 12 June 2018
Mâcon is not only about historic architecture and places, but it also has a budding nightlife. Among all the nightclubs, Club 400 has a reputation. It has a predominantly young crowd of under 25 years. The ambiance of this club is enchanting, with a large capacity.
Club 400
Address: Rue du Kilomètre 400, 71000 Mâcon, France
Website: Club 400
10. Enjoy cocktails at Le Ruck
Posted by Les cerises à l'ôde vie on Friday, 19 April 2019
Famous for its cocktails, this charming bar is a great place to grab drinks. It has an outdoor seating area where you can enjoy a drink along with a view.
Le Ruck
Address: 4 Place Saint-Vincent, 71000 Mâcon, France
Website: Le Ruck
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 8:30am - 2am; Sat: 9:30am - 2am (closed on Sun & Mon)
11. Dine on French food at Ma Table en Ville
A trip to any city in France won’t be completed without a dose of delicious French cuisine. In the case of Mâcon, visit the famous restaurant Ma Table en Ville. It serves French cuisines with seasonal delicacies, set to fit your budget. A multi-course meal starts here from Euro 19 and goes up to Euro 59 per person. The owner is personally responsible for the preparation of the meals, which he does with the help of his wife.
Ma Table en Ville
Address: 50 Rue de Strasbourg, 71000 Mâcon, France
Website: Ma Table en Ville
Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 12pm - 1:30pm, 7pm - 9:30pm; Wed - Fri: 12pm - 1:30pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
12. Try Bowling at Bowling de Mâcon
If you need a serious dose of gaming adventure, a trip to Bowling de Mâcon is a must. The establishment is spread over two levels, where its 16 tracks offer full-on adventure. There are separate arrangements for the children if they are willing to participate in the games. Shoe hiring services are available. A bar and restaurant are found on the premises if you get hungry or thirsty after the game.
Bowling de Mâcon
Address: 505 Allée Jean Bouin, 71000 Mâcon, France
Website: Bowling de Mâcon
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 11am - 11:30pm; Fri: 11am - 1am; Sat: 2pm - 1:45am; Sun: 2pm - 8:30pm (closed on Mon)
13. Admire the art in Galerie Mary-Ann
Posted by Galerie Mary-Ann on Tuesday, 9 July 2019
The small town of Mâcon almost has every cultural aspect, including art. This city has two places for exhibiting art, Galerie Mary-Ann and François Martin Hall. Galerie Mary-Ann is found in City Hall, on Quai Lamartine. The gallery is open tor the public every day except Sunday, Monday and the public holidays. On some special Sundays, the gallery remains open for special events. In these events, you can meet the artists who created these amazing artworks.
Galerie Mary-Ann
Address: Hôtel de Ville, Quai Lamartine, 71000 Mâcon, France
Website: Galerie Mary-Ann
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 2pm - 7pm; Sat: 10am - 1pm; 2pm - 7pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
14. Enjoy the view of Pont Saint-Laurent
Posted by Justyna Skrzypek on Monday, 9 September 2019
The famous Saint Laurent Bridge is almost an icon of the city of Mâcon. It connects this town with the town of Saint-Laurent-sur-Saône. This stone bridge was probably constructed in the 11th century. It is one of the very few bridges which was not destroyed during the Second World War. Built with 12 arches, this bridge looks extraordinarily beautiful during the nighttime.
Pont Saint-Laurent
Address: Pont Saint-Laurent, 01750 Mâcon
Website: Pont Saint-Laurent
15. Admire the impressive architecture of Église Saint-Clément
The picturesque Neo-Gothic church is located in Saint-Clément-lès-Mâcon, a southern district of the city. Saint-Clément-lès-Mâcon used to be an independent town, which amalgamated with the city in the year 1856. The church used to be a small religious building and the tomb of the first bishops of the diocese de Mâcon. Église Saint-Clément is open for visitors on request, especially for groups. This church is also famous for being the only Merovingian burial place of Southern Burgundy.
Église Saint-Clément
Address: Rue de Lyon, 71000 Mâcon, France
Website: Église Saint-Clément
16. Take a photo in front of La Maison de Bois
In the heart of the city center of Mâcon, this building is probably the oldest in the city. The architecture is pretty impressive, which is also the most photographed one. The building is standing on Place aux Herbes, which also houses a famous bar/restaurant of Mâcon. The interior of the restaurant is contemporary, which is spread over the ground and first floor. The terrace with the view of Place aux Herbes can be enjoyed during the summer. There is an impressive collection of food and desserts and it also serves excellent wines of the Burgundy region.
La Maison de Bois
Address: 13 Place aux Herbes, 71000 Mâcon, France
Website: La Maison de bois
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 7:30am - 11pm (closed on Sun)
17. Take a helicopter ride over River Saône
The adventure lovers won’t be too disappointed in the city of Mâcon. Take a helicopter ride over the scenic river Saône to get a clear view of the Burgundy region. This once in a lifetime experience is thrilling as well as educating. You will get to see the famous vineyards of the Burgundy region, the historic Saint Laurent bridge. The family-friendly helicopter can accommodate a maximum of three passengers at a time.
Explore the gems of Macon
The curious mix of traditional architecture with modern-day France can truly be enjoyed in this city. Enjoy participating in unique activities in Mâcon, France, during your visit to the city. Don’t forget to try some of the best wines of Burgundy, explore the ancient architecture, and above all get a glimpse of old France.
Should you also decide to venture out further into the neighboring cities, there are comfy Airbnb vacation rentals in Bourg-en-Bresse as well, which is only a short drive away.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Mâcon
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