Patrick

Driving from Chamonix to Paris and looking for a nice place to stop mid point for lunch and a little exploration. Anyone familiar with this town? Is it charming, or just a big nothing? Any other suggestions along the way?

John

Beaune is about 30 miles further north.

jw

Topping for you, Patrick. Surely someone can tell you about this town with the very pretty name? If nobody does, then I think you should stop there to explore and discover for the rest of us. Bon voyage.

Patrick

Thanks, jw, that was really my point. I do know of Beaune, although frankly I haven't explored it, but it seems a little large to just drive into for lunch and try to explore for an hour or two. I see the name Chalon-sur-Soane which is such a pretty name, I wonder if the town itself lives up to its name. I'd hate to visit to find out that the whole town is just a big factory sitting along the river or something like that. Anyone been there? If not, maybe I'll take your suggestion and go check it out myself.

Gail

Patrick: Chalon-sur-Saone is a nice town to stop for lunch. We went there specifically for the Photography Museum as my husband is a professional photographer. The older section along the river is charming with the Cathedral of St Vincent and the square. Good for a 2 hour stop. I also liked Mersault for a small quaint town to visit. You can wine taste there.<BR><BR>I'll check my notes and get back to you.

Betty

I have only a vague recollection of having driven through (by?) Chalon-sur-Saone many years ago, so I'm afraid I can't tell you much from personal experience. I did find, however, this site:http://www.chalon-sur-saone.net/<BR>Unfortunately the English version is still "under construction," but there are a few pictures that will give you some idea of what the town looks like. (Nice cathedral and half-timbered houses in the old section) You can go to google to get a translation which is more or less comprehensible (they translate Chalon-sur-Saone as Trawl-net-on-Saone!) But it sounds like Gail is your best bet for recommendations.

Patrick

Thanks, Gail and Betty. Sounds like we'll definitely be making a stop there for lunch and checking it out.

Alec

I had an overnight stop at Chalon-s-S some years back on my drive from the South of France. It's basically a commercial centre, with extensive wine trade, without tourist hordes. As others have said the centre around the cathedral is pretty (pedestrianised), as are the walks along the Saone. There are some mouthwatering displays in deli shops, as elsewhere in France but I thought they exceeded the norm. Best dining room in town is in Hotel St-Georges in front of the railway station, which also has a brasserie. More informal choices on the St-Laurent island in the middle of the river, along rue Strasbourg where there are several bistros. Gourmand or L'Ile Bleue for seafood.