Chaintré is a destination for travellers who want to explore its wine landscape and local history together. The slopes, the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation, private wine cellars and a cooperative winery give a stay a distinct culinary focus. The area also features a château with a medieval history, a hike through the vineyards and an equestrian centre. You can discover Chaintré according to your own interests in wine, culture and activities.
Vineyards and tastings
The vineyard soils range from brown clay soils on the slopes to limestone soils on west-facing slopes. These differences in soils and locations offer a tangible way to explore local winegrowing: you can consider the landscape in relation to the wines named here. Chaintré lies within the exclusively defined AOP Pouilly-Fuissé area; the appellation’s 22 Climats have also been recognised as “Premier Cru”.
Several private wine cellars and a cooperative winery offer tastings of Pouilly-Fuissé, Mâcon-Chaintré and Beaujolais. As availability at individual cellars can vary, it is best to enquire about tasting opportunities in advance. The wines mentioned provide different starting points for a tasting, while the vineyards show the landscape in which the wine is produced.
Château and local history
The Château de Chaintré dates back to around the year 1000; its keep is from the 13th century. In the Middle Ages, the château was an ancient fief and part of Mâcon’s southern defences. The two dates describe different periods in its history: the approximate start of its construction and the century in which the keep was built.
At Château des Quarts, there is an early 18th-century wrought-iron entrance gate. The estate is privately owned. An older trace also forms part of the local history: a tool discovered in 1940 on the western slope of the hill of Chaintré is cited as evidence of prehistoric people being present in the area of what later became Cantriacum around 120,000 years ago.
Hiking and equestrian centre
The Balmont Haut hike runs along a hillside through vineyards, passes through the centre of Chaintré and offers panoramic views of the surrounding villages, with views towards the Bresse. The route thus takes you through both the wine landscape and the village, while the vistas offer another perspective on the surroundings. Those who want to explore Chaintré on foot will find a route that brings both aspects together.
The Mâcon/Chaintré equestrian centre lies at the foot of the Château de Chaintré. With a suitable selection of horses, it offers different riding disciplines for all levels. Check with the centre before visiting to find out which activities are currently taking place. Renowned competitions are also held there every year, and visitors can attend for free. If you plan to attend a competition, check the current calendar.
Plan your journey
Mâcon-Loché TGV station is a useful point of reference for your journey: Chaintré is three minutes from the station. Check the relevant transport connections before travelling. Wine tastings, local history, the hike and the equestrian centre each offer a different focus. When choosing a hotel, you can consider which of these aspects of Chaintré matters most to you during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Tancon, Le Creusot, Igé, Mazille, Saint-Amour-Bellevue, Bergesserin, Saint-Germain-Du-Bois, Ciel
For the wider travel overview: Saône-Et-Loire.
