Information
The Gîte
La Maison du Curé dates from 1823 and was originally a small cottage and stable belonging to the village priest. After the last priest of Cormatin retired in the 1990s the house was modernised and extended to make a comfortable three bedroomed house.
Guests have the use of free WiFi, and the television receives French digital and English satellite channels. The DVD player is complete with a selection of DVDs.
The house has gas central heating and there are additional electric flame effect fires in the dining room and sitting room. The modern kitchen is equipped with a ceramic hob and electric oven, microwave, fridge freezer, washing machine and coffee filter machine.
Downstairs is a shower room and toilet, and upstairs is the bathroom with shower and separate toilet. Towels are provided.
The front bedroom has a double bed (140 x 200cm) and an extendable bed (80cm x 130-200cm). The back bedroom has a double bed and a single bed (90cm x 200cm) while the third bedroom has a small double bed (120cm x 200cm). All the bedrooms have a washbasin. All bedding is provided and the beds are ready on your arrival.
At the rear is a small enclosed garden with trees and a small lawn. Tables, chairs and sun umbrellas are provided, as is a barbeque. In the garage you can play table tennis and we have five bicycles for use by guests.
We are sorry but we do not allow smoking or pets inside the house.
For details of our availability and prices visit our Availability & Tariffs page.
Tourism around Cormatin
The Village
La Maison du Curé is just off the main street of Cormatin and it is a short walk to the two boulangeries and the shops. There is a tabac, a butcher's and a grocer's as well as a post office and a flower shop. In the old spinning mill by the river you can buy local gourmet foods and the work of the many local artists and craftsmen.
There are several good eating places in Cormatin including the restaurants at the Hôtel Les Bles d'Or and La Terrasse, several pavement cafés and bars and a homemade pizza café.
Religion
Many people find Cormatin an ideal base for visiting Taizé, the Christian centre, which is five minutes away by car. Young people attend from all over the world for teaching and prayer. The monks hold three Church services a day and all visitors are given a warm welcome.
10km to the south is the famous town of Cluny. In medieval times Cluny Abbey was described as the light of the world, the largest abbey in Europe until the rebuilding of St Peter’s in Rome. Although the Abbey was largely destroyed after the Revolution it is easy to see how impressive it must have been. In September 2010 we celebrated its 1100th anniversary.
Due to the influence of Cluny on the area most of the villages have beautiful Romanesque churches. The one at Brancion, near Tournus, is particularly interesting, and it affords a beautiful view over the Grosne Valley. You can visit the 10th century military castle and walk along beautifully restored medieval streets.
Wine
Cormatin is central to the three large towns in South Burgundy of Chalon, Mâcon and Tournus. All have intriguing medieval centres and awe inspiring Abbeys.
Although Cormatin is set amongst farmland it is surrounded by the three wine growing areas of the region. To the south is the Beaujolais region, to the south east are the Mâconnaise vineyards, and to the north is the Côte d'Or. You can follow the wine route past Beaune up to Dijon, on the way visiting the grand cru vineyards of Clos-Vougeot, Pommard and Nuits-St-Georges.
Cycling and Walking
If you are a cyclist this is the place to be. Cormatin is on the Voie Verte, which is a wonderful cycle and walking track made using the old railway and canal tow paths. It runs the length of southern Burgundy and provides easy cycling. A network of signposted routes through the forests and vineyards provides breath-taking views over the countryside.
Most villages in the area have a series of waymarked walking trails of varying distances.
Music and Theatre
For five weeks in the summer Cormatin plays host to a series of concerts and operas held in the Chateau theatres. There is also a guitar festival in August and many musical events take place in the Romanesque churches of the local villages.
Markets
Saône-et-Loire is famous for its lively markets. There is the Saturday market in Cluny which is regularly attended by the locals. The Sunday market at Chalon is well worth a visit too. In the cattle markets of Charolles and St Christopher-en-Brionnais you can admire the Charolais, the best beef cattle in France.
Museums
There are many museums to visit too. Cormatin has its Musée du Poilu which depicts life in the 1st World War trenches. Chalon was the birthplace of Necephore Niepce the inventor of photography and his home is now a museum of photography.
Cormatin is a magnet for fans of Alphonse Lamartine, the French romantic poet and politician. He was born in Mâcon where there is a museum devoted to his work. Near Cormatin is the château at Milly-Lamartine where he spent his young life. You can follow the Lamartine trail from Cormatin to Milly, St Point and Monceau.
Food and Drink
Burgundy is known as 'le pays du bien vivre' . It is the quintessential heart of French cooking. If you had to quickly think of French dishes you would probably say escargot, beouf bourgogne and coq au vin. All derive from this area and are often offered as dish of the day at local restaurants. Lunch is taken very seriously in Burgundy and life stops for everyone between half twelve and two. Watch where the workers go and there you will find good cooking.
Burgundy is also know for fine drinking, and you can enjoy tasting the wine in the local caves. The wine trails will take you past the most famous vineyards of the region. Cormatin has an outlet where you can taste before choosing from an impressive selection of local wines.
How get here
Our Location page shows maps of where we are and full details on how to find La Maison du Curé can be downloaded from the page.
Further Information
If you have any queries or would like further information about La Maison du Curé please contact us at
For details of our availability and prices please visit our Availability & Tariffs page.
For photos of the the gîte and the surrounding area please visit our Gallery pages.
