Tournus Cruises
You will first visit the former abbey church of Saint-Philibert in Tournus. It is the most important Romanesque building of Burgundy together with the Abbey of Cluny. With its almost windowless front, the abbey makes a rather defensive impression on the outside, however, inside it charms with its variety of cloisters, mighty round columns as well as the oldest preserved choir. After an interior tour, you will continue your ride through the gently hilly landscape of Burgundy passing some small picturesque villages. You will make a brief stop at the town of Chapaize and visit the inside of the former monastic church of St-Martin from the 11th century, another jewel of the Romanesque. During church holidays, the church cannot be visited on the inside. The picturesque street further winds through a charming scenery up to Cormatin. At the edge of the city, in the midst of a picturesque park and surrounded by moats, you will find the Renaissance Cormatin Castle. It was built at the beginning the 17th century by the governor of Chà ¢lon at the same location as the medieval castle that belonged to the de Blà © family since the 13th century. The castle's interior dates back to the 16th century and is unique in France. Numerous artists that were called from Paris designed it. During an inside inspection, you can admire gorgeous girder and ornamental ceilings painted in bright lapis lazuli blue or opulent leafed gold as well as the mighty stone stairs and splendidly decorated rooms.