SAINT-GENGOUX-LE-NATIONAL

Saint-Gengoux-le-National is a charming medieval town that flourished from 1166 onwards, when the King of France, Louis VII, signed a treaty of pariage with the abbot of Cluny. The treaty transformed the original village into a fortified town, increasing the security of the region. From then on, economic life could easily develop thanks to the installation of numerous craftsmen and merchants. For almost 600 years, the town was called Saint-Gengoux-le-Royal. Today, visitors who enter the heart of Saint-Gengoux-le-National, the medieval town, find themselves in another era. There are still many houses that bear witness to the 13th and subsequent centuries.
You can also admire the church, whose octagonal Romanesque bell tower dates from 1120. A footbridge (called a pontet) links the bell tower to the "Tour de l'Horloge", a kind of belfry built in 1566 to ring the hour. The keep, the only vestige of the old castle, is also still present. The "medieval" image is attractive, but it is not the only asset, because the vine and wine have long held an important place here. Visitors are kindly welcomed at the cooperative cellar to taste and buy excellent Burgundies, including the Mâcon Saint-Gengoux.
The town has all the shops and facilities for a pleasant stay.