The best MTB trails around La Chapelle-Du-Mont-De-France

The Tour des Fromages is a preserved defensive tower from the 11th century, which originally belonged to the ramparts of the powerful Abbey of Cluny. In the Middle Ages, the structure was still called Tour des Fèves (Bean Tower), as supplies were stored there. It got its current, curious name in the 19th century because a merchant used the tower to dry her homemade cheeses. Today, the tower is a popular attraction. Visitors can climb the 120 steps to the top. From up there, you have a beautiful 360-degree panoramic view over the entire medieval monastic city and the surrounding Burgundy landscape. Access to the tower is directly through the local Cluny tourist office.

The abbey was founded in 910 by Duke William I of Aquitaine. In the Middle Ages, Cluny was the starting point of a huge monastic reform (the "Cluniac Reforms"). At its peak in the 11th and 12th centuries, around 1,500 monasteries and over 20,000 monks throughout Europe were under its jurisdiction. The main church of the abbey (Cluny III or Major Ecclesia), over 187 meters long, was the largest house of worship in Christendom until St. Peter's Basilica in Rome was built. During the French Revolution, the monastery was closed. Under Napoleon's rule, the gigantic church was almost completely demolished and used as a quarry. Today, only about 8% of the original vast complex remains.

The historic town of Cluny, located in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, can best be admired from the viewing platform of the famous Cheese Tower (Tour des Fromages), from which you can enjoy a striking 360-degree view over the historic rooftops and the gentle, green hills of Southern Burgundy. Cluny is world-renowned for its Benedictine abbey, founded in 910 AD. In the High Middle Ages, the abbey was the starting point of the pioneering Cluniac reform movement and developed into the head of a Europe-wide monastic order with over 1,200 monasteries.

Mont Saint-Cyr is located in southern Burgundy (Département Saône-et-Loire) in the municipality of Montmelard and, at 771 meters, is the highest point in the Mâconnais mountains. From the summit, there is a wide panoramic view of the surrounding landscapes of Charolais, Brionnais, and Clunisois. In very clear weather, the view to the east even extends to Mont Blanc in the Alps. On the mountain are the historical remains of a 10th-century monastery that was destroyed during the Huguenot Wars. There is a picnic area in the forest, as well as orientation panels that are helpful in identifying the surrounding peaks and valleys.

Mont Saint-Cyr is located in southern Burgundy (Saône-et-Loire department) in the municipality of Montmelard and, at 771 meters, is the highest point of the Mâconnais mountains. From the summit, there is a wide panoramic view of the surrounding landscapes of Charolais, Brionnais, and Clunisois. In very clear weather, the view extends eastwards to Mont Blanc in the Alps. On the mountain are the historical remains of a 10th-century monastery, which was destroyed during the Huguenot Wars. There is a picnic area in the forest as well as orientation panels that are helpful in identifying the surrounding peaks and valleys.

The town of Cluny developed around the Benedictine monastery (Abbey of Cluny) founded in 910. The abbey was the origin and center of the Cluniac reform at the beginning of the 10th century. Cluny reached its peak membership at the beginning of the 12th century with about 400 monks. The last abbey church (Cluny 3) was the world's largest Romanesque basilica and, until the construction of the present-day St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the largest church in Christendom. The church had seven towers. Although large parts of the structure were destroyed, the remaining relics are absolutely remarkable and make a visit to Cluny an unforgettable experience!

I wanted to go there at the beginning of October but it was too muddy for my gyroroue. I'll try again in summer

Founded in 910, Cluny Abbey was a powerful centre of the Benedictine order and influenced the spiritual and cultural life of all of Europe at its height. Today, although much of the abbey was destroyed during the French Revolution, you can still explore the remaining parts of the vast complex, including the majestic bell tower and restored cloister.