Saint-Gengoux-le-National is a charming medieval town that grew from 1166, the date of a shared-ownership treaty between the king of France, Louis VII, and the abbot of Cluny which allowed the transformation of the original village into a fortified city thereby increasing the security of the region. From then on, the economy prospered thanks to the arrival of many craftsmen and tradesmen. For nearly 600 years, the town was called Saint-Gengoux-le-Royal. Today, visitors who enter the heart of Saint-Gengoux-le-National, the medieval city, find themselves in another era. Indeed, there are still many houses that date from the 13th century and after.
You can also admire the church, whose octagonal Romanesque bell tower dates from 1120. A footbridge (called a pontet) links the bell tower to the "Tour de l'Horloge", a kind of belfry built in 1566 to ring the hour. The keep, the only vestige of the old chateau, is also still present. The "medieval" setting is attractive, but not the only asset, because the vineyards and the wine have held an important place here for a long time. Visitors will be welcomed at the wine cooperative to taste and buy excellent burgundies, including the Mâcon Saint-Gengoux.
The town has all the shops and facilities for a pleasant stay.
