Car Hire Mâcon - Mini guide to Mâcon

Situated on the River Seine, 68kms north of Lyon, Mâcon stretches along the banks, giving the town an air of seaside tranquility. With a busy wine trade and an abundance of other industries, this small town can be quite lively, especially down by the riverside.

The French poet, Lamartine, was born here in 1790. A charming eighteenth-century mansion, the Hotel Senec in rue Sigorgne, houses the Musee Lamartine, which boasts a comprehensive account of the poet’s life. Over the street is the place des Herbes where there’s an extraordinary wooden house that dates back to 1500.

A ten-minute stroll from the centre of town is the Maison Mâcon naise des Vins, where you can taste some of Mâcon’s vintage wines. Traditional dishes are also served as an accompaniment to the wine.

For good food at reasonable prices, head for the river where there’s a varied selection of restaurants. Chez Gilou does a tasty paella, served by friendly waiting staff. More upmarket is Le Rocher de Cancale.

There are plenty of scenic places to go rambling around Mâcon; the Val Lamartinien offers 16 rambling tours between Mâcon and Cluny, where you can discover the wine growing country. Alternatively, you can take a bicycle ride on the ‘Green Path’, an old railway line that stretches 45kms from Cluny to Givry.

The nearest airport is Saint-Exupéry Airport (Lyon Satolas); there’s a shuttle service (every 20 minutes) between the airport and Lyon Part-Dieu Station, then take the train to Mâcon Ville (trains approx. every hour). The railway station is in the city centre and the high-speed TGV station is seven kilometres away. If you’re coming by car, take the A6 (Paris – Marseilles) and exit at Mâcon Sud.