The Orbandale Way

This route is called "Chemin de l'Orbandale", in reference to the medieval and poetic name that was given to the town of Chalon-sur-Saône. The historian Léonard Bertaut, who published a book in 1662 entitled "L'Illustre Orbandale, ou l'histoire ancienne et moderne de la ville et cité de Chalon-sur-Saône" (The Illustrious Orbandale, or the ancient and modern history of the town and city of Chalon-sur-Saône), cites several sources mentioning it. According to him, the name originated from the three golden circles (orbs in old French) that adorn the city's coat of arms, symbolising the three rows of golden bricks that appear on the ancient walls that encircled the city.