Motorcycle accommodation in Saône-et-Loire with secure parking

Saône-et-Loire is Burgundy for riders who like to take their time. Between the gentle bends of the Morvan, the rolling roads of the Mâconnais and the departmental routes threading through the vineyards, this département rewards those who don't rush. The little D974, D980 and D981 cut through authentic bocage countryside where Charolais cattle graze peacefully. On the heritage side, Cluny and its thousand-year-old abbey, Tournus and its Romanesque church, or the fortified village of Brancion are all well worth a stop. Come evening, you'll easily find accommodation with a locked garage in the market towns of the Charolais or near the Morvan lakes. No jaw-dropping mountain passes here, but gentle landscapes and a genuine riding culture on the back roads.

What to see and do in Saône-et-Loire by motorcycle?

Saône-et-Loire reveals itself as much through its roads as through its stops. The Abbey of Cluny, once the largest church in Christendom, carries the weight of a thousand years of history. Autun unveils its Roman gates and its cathedral with a one-of-a-kind tympanum. La Roche de Solutré, listed as a Grand Site de France, rewards a 15-minute climb with a 360° panorama over the Mâconnais vineyards. The medieval village of Brancion, perched on its rocky spur, feels like it's been lifted straight out of another era, with its castle and car-free lanes. Paray-le-Monial draws riders in with its Romanesque basilica, while Tournus charms with the Abbey of Saint-Philibert. On the food front, Charolais beef AOP and Bresse chicken AOP are must-tries at the inns of the Brionnais. Local markets, like the Monday morning market in Louhans, overflow with regional produce. Between bends, the cellars of the Mâconnais and Côte Chalonnaise are always open for a tasting.

Motorcycle routes in Saône-et-Loire: where to ride in the 71?

Saône-et-Loire serves up varied motorcycle roads without going to extremes. The Morvan Lakes Tour follows the D978 and D980, with enjoyable twists and turns through beech forests and past stretches of water. The D980 from Autun towards Mont Beuvray cuts through wild, wooded scenery. To the south, the D980 through the Brionnais unrolls its relaxed curves between bocage and Romanesque villages. The Côte Chalonnaise wine route (D981, D974) winds through vineyards and wine-producing villages like Mercurey, Givry and Rully. The D170 and D82 in the Mâconnais offer beautiful rolling panoramas with views over the Roche de Solutré. The D974 follows the Dheune river for a nature ride towards Écuisses. The D985 crosses the Charolais between meadows and herds, ideal for a slow, easy pace. The back roads around Mont Saint-Vincent and the Butte de Suin save some lovely 360° viewpoints for those who seek them out.

Frequently asked questions