The Barge Port: An Oasis for River Tourism

Burgundy, with its extensive network of nearly 1,200 km of rivers and canals, has become a veritable 'eldorado' for pleasure tourism. The barge port of Chalon-sur-Saône offers an opportunity to rent boats with docks for a range of experiences – from a brief tour to a week-long journey on the canals or the Saône. This place encourages adventure getaways for families, couples, or groups of friends, and serves as a refreshing escape from the mundane. Situated on the edge of Port Villiers Place, this marina encourages idyllic walks and relaxation. Being close to the town center, the Quai Gambetta, and the Quai des Messageries, it sees about 6,000 boats passing each year, with 5,000 of them being private liveaboards from Germany, America, and Switzerland. The marina of Chalon-sur-Saône is internationally recognized and frequently visited by yachtsmen and cruisers.

Chalon-sur-Saône's Museums and Galleries: The Denon Museum and the Nicephore Niépce Museum

The Denon Museum, located in Chalon-sur-Saône, is among the most visited in Saône-et-Loire. It showcases archaeology, decorative arts, fine arts, and history. Named after Dominique Vivant Denon, a multifaceted French artist, diplomat, and administrator, the museum is recognized as a historical monument. Denon, considered a pioneer of museology, art history, and Egyptology, has also lent his name to a regional mansion.

The Nicephore Niépce Museum is another cultural treasure. Named after the inventor of photography who was born on March 7th, 1765, and raised in Chalon-sur-Saône, the museum is dedicated to the art of the image and the materials of the "mechanical image". It boasts a collection of 20,000 free pictures, along with devices like the Daguerreotype. The museum also houses more than two million images and objects, including the first-ever camera model.

Festival Chalon in the Street: A Celebration of Street Art

Every year, Chalon-sur-Saône hosts a global reunion of street artists, aptly named 'Chalon in the Street'. For over 25 years, this event has been a source of eclectic and unusual performances, attracting audiences from all over the world. With a thousand performances spread across three days and an attendance of 300,000 festival-goers, this event connects spectators with artists at both 'In' and 'Off' venues. While the 'In' offers a program that appeals to a large audience, the 'Off', though more intimate, never fails to surprise with beautiful discoveries. This street festival stands as one of the major events of the Big East. It offers a fantastic introduction to the city, which can be followed by a visit to the Côte Chalonnaise along the 'Route of great wines'.