Chalon-sur-Saône
Town of historic & artistic interest

The birthplace of Nicéphore Niepce is more than just the cradle of photography. Its river port gave rise to large-scale regional trade. Festivals, markets, fairs and carnivals – just walk around the pedestrianized part of Chalon and you will soon see that life here is on the street!

Trade and the arts

At the meeting point of Roman roads and many inland waterways, Chalon-sur-Saône was a trading centre of European importance in the Middle Ages.

In Chalon a number of art forms live together in harmony.

• The Nicéphore Niepce museum is devoted to the history of and equipment needed for “mechanical pictures”, from experiments by the inventor of photography right up to the very latest technology. Among the many cameras on display, don't miss the Daguerreotype and compare it to tiny spy cameras from the late 20th century!
• Dominique Vivant Denon, first director of the Louvre museum, gave his name to a museum with Italian, Dutch and French paintings from the 15th, 18th and 19th centuries.

Between rivers and canals

In the 19th century the creation of the canal de Bourgogne and the canal du Rhône au Rhin completed expansion of river trade.

Chalon takes to the streets!

On Fridays and Sundays the Place Saint-Vincent market displays its colourful stalls. The traditional medieval "Fête des fous" lives on with cavalcades and carnival floats. The "Chalon dans la rue" festival features artists all over town! A good way to start your tour of the Côte Chalonnaise wine-growing area, part of the Route des Grands Vins.

Practical information

A good place for a glass of wine, a short cruise on the Saône or a guided tour? From wine-growing to river boating, Chalon-sur-Saône Tourist Information Office is sure to be of help.

Address details

Office du tourisme de Chalon-sur-Saône
4 place du Port de Villiers
71100 Chalon-sur-Saône
Tel. : +33 (0)3 85 48 37 97
E-mail : officedetourisme@achalon.com
http://www.uk.chalon-sur-saone.net/

Opening times

January to April and October to December:
 - Monday to Saturday, 9am-12.30pm & 2-6pm
 - Closed Sunday and bank holidays

May to June and September:
 - Monday to Saturday, 9am-12.30pm & 2-6.30pm
 - Sunday and bank holidays 3-6pm

July & August:
 - Monday to Saturday, 9am-12.30pm & 1.30-7pm
 - Sunday and bank holidays, 10am-12 noon & 3-7pm

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