Sports & leisure activities
Paddles, pedals and days on the move
Activities for every kind of day
From quiet walks to full family outings
Doing very little is a perfectly good holiday plan. A late breakfast, a swim, a long lunch, a few chapters of a good book — some days do not need much more than that. But for guests who like to mix slower days with a little activity, there is plenty within reach.
Water activities, country walks, cycling on quiet roads, horse riding, a round of golf, local tennis courts, adventure parks and family attractions give different members of the group plenty of ways to shape the day.
Full information for the activities featured on this page — including contact details and local notes — is provided in our Digital Guidebooks, available to guests after reservation confirmation.
ON THE WATER
Kayak, paddle board, canoe trips and cruises
The Seille and the Saône offer easy ways to spend a few hours on the water, from kayak and paddle board hire to canoe trips and gentle river cruises. With nautical bases in Cuisery, La Truchère and Tournus, these outings are simple to organise and work well for groups who want a relaxed outdoor activity without turning the day into a major expedition.
Canoes, kayaks and other craft
Seille Attitude — River Seille, Cuisery
Canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, electric boat hire and pedal boats on the beautiful river Seille.
Tournus Canoë — River Saône, Tournus
Canoeing, paddle boarding and organised half-day canoe trips on the Saône, departing from the nautical base in Tournus.
L’Embarcadère — River Seille, La Truchère
Electric boats ranging from 5 to 12 person capacity can be rented from the nautical base at La Truchère. L'Embarcadère is also a restaurant with a riverside terrace.
River cruises
Tourist office cruises — Canal de Pont-de-Vaux and River Sâone
The Tourist Office in Pont-de-Vaux organises several boat cruises on the canal and the Saône. Options range from a simple two-hour cruise to longer lunch cruises of around three to five hours, with different itineraries taking in the Saône, either southward toward Mâcon or northward to Tournus and the Seille confluence.
L’Embarcadère — River Seille, La Truchère
From the nautical base at La Truchère, L’Embarcadère offers 1.5-hour cruises by reservation, starting on the Seille before reaching the lock near the confluence with the Saône. The captain comments on the route during the trip, which takes in both rivers before returning to the base at La Truchère.
OUT & ABOUT
Cycling, walking, riding, tennis, padel and golf
With quiet country lanes and varied countryside, this part of Burgundy is well suited to walking, cycling and horse riding. Tennis, padel and golf add a more sporting option for a morning or afternoon, with enough variety for the whole group — or for a few people to head off and do their own thing before meeting everyone back at the Château.
Cycling and walking
Marked trails and quiet lanes
Quiet country roads are one of the great advantages of this part of Burgundy. With very little traffic, the lanes are well suited to cycling straight from the Châteaux, through open countryside and nearby villages. Walkers are also well served, with numerous marked paths and trails through fields, woodland and small villages — many of which can be joined close to the Château gates.
For more established routes, the Voie Bleue follows the Saône and offers long, mostly flat stretches beside the river, while the Voie Verte provides another excellent option for cycling and walking on dedicated paths. Our Digital Guidebook gives more detail on local loops, starting points and practical suggestions, from short walks to longer rides.
Horse riding
Prety-Cuisery Horse-Riding Centre — Cuisery
Well located for Château de Montrevost and Château de Montsymond, this is one of our partner providers. The centre offers riding lessons, horse and pony treks on country paths and through the forest, with some treks also possible directly from Château de Montrevost.
Le Ranch Exotique — Messey-sur-Grosne
Well located for Château de Burnand, Le Ranch Exotique has Shetlands, ponies and horses, making it suitable for a wide range of ages and experience levels. Horse and pony treks are available from one to three hours, with longer full-day treks also possible.
Tennis, padel and pickleball
Tennis courts — in local villages
Tennis is available in the local villages closest to each Château, with two hard courts in Saint-Gengoux for Château de Burnand, Cuisery for Château de Montrevost, and Romenay for Château de Montsymond. Access is free, with no reservation required and courts available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each Château also has two tennis rackets and balls available for guests.
Padel and pickleball — Cuisery
For padel and pickleball, the Ball and Forme club in Cuisery rents indoor courts and equipment. Both sports have grown rapidly in popularity in recent years, and are a good option for mixed groups: lively enough for a proper game, but accessible enough for players who are simply curious to try.
Golf
For golfers, the wider area offers a good choice of courses, from local options around half an hour away to others a little further afield. This selection ranges from open parkland to more wooded layouts, with lakes and water features coming into play on several courses.
Golf de Mâcon La Salle — La Salle
An 18-hole, par 71 course measuring 6,025 m from the back tees, plus a compact 9-hole, par 3 course of 850 m.
Golf du Château d’Avoise — Montchanin
A Hawtree-designed 18-hole forest and parkland course measuring 6,179 m from the back tees. Lakes come into play on several holes.
Golf Public de Chalon-sur-Saône — Châtenoy-en-Bresse
An 18-hole parkland course measuring 5,709 m from the back tees. There are no water hazards, but more than 60 bunkers.
Golf Domaine du Val de Sorne — Vernantois
A beautiful 18-hole course meandering through forest and open parkland, measuring 6,007 m from the back tees.
Golf de la Bresse — Condeissiat
A par 72, 18-hole parkland course measuring 6,131 m from the back tees, plus a short 6-hole, par 22 course of 1,364 m.
FAMILY DAYS OUT
Looking for something livelier?
Some days are made for a change of pace. Tree-top adventure courses, amusement park rides, animals, water play and a wine-themed park all offer something livelier, from climbing and splashing to rides, slides and a good excuse to head out for the day.
Adventure, animals and rides
AcroGivry — Givry
A tree-top adventure park with two separate zones: one for children from age 3, and another for older children, teenagers and adults from age 10.
Touroparc — Romanèche-Thorins
A zoo and leisure park with more than 600 animals including elephants, red pandas, flamingos, lemurs and hippopotamuses, plus a number of gentle family rides and an aqua park.
Parc des Combes — Le Creusot
A more classic amusement park with a wide choice of rides and attractions, mixing gentle family rides with more energetic options for those who like a bit more speed.
Hameau Dubœuf — Romanèche-Thorins
A wine-themed park and village exploring the world of Beaujolais wine, with exhibitions, displays and attractions that make it an unusual and very different kind of family outing. Located just south of the Mâconnais, it also makes an interesting introduction to the neighbouring Beaujolais wine region.