This large 18th century country house is situated in a small hamlet only 7 km. west of Cluny in Southern Burgundy. Less than half an hour from Macon and the major artery (A6) called the Route du Soleil connecting Northern France with the South, Le Nid is ideally located for stopovers or lengthier stays. Rolling hills and hedgerows interspersed by old stone farmhouses and herds of the famous but alas for them, delicious Charolais cows, have inspired many to declare this unspoilt area of France between the rivers Saone and Loire the equal of Tuscany. Artists, awake!

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This characteristic dovecote in the garden was a sign of prestige in former times. It is now inhabited by the occasional owl.

Away from the madding crowd

Tranquillity, interrupted occasionally by the rural sounds of cows lowing, horses neighing, and owls hooting is the key word to describe life in the village of Chateau. No traffic, except for a tractor or a few ambulatory ducks, no city noises, only the robin announcing the day’s begin, the bees at their work, and the crickets in the evening. Poets awake!

Still, for those who want a more active vacation than simply relaxing in the garden or floating in the pool, the area is ideal for walking, sketching, or for touring the countryside to visit one of the many chateaux, local craftsmen and artists, working farms selling regional produce or to visit the many vineyards, home to the well-known Chalonnais, Maconnais and Beaujolais wines. A cycle trip along the "Voie Verte" (cycle path from Cluny to Givry) will also take you through the vineyards, past chateaux and other spots of interest. The lovely small cities of Beaune and Autun to the north are of rich cultural interest for the occasional day-trip. For those interested in Romanesque architecture, some of the best preserved examples of the style can be found all over the department of Saone and Loire. If one is inclined to go even farther afield, Macon's TGV  station will bring you in 1.6 hours to Paris while historical Dijon and Lyon, France's 3rd largest city with its reputation for fine gastronomy are respectively 1.5 and l hour from Chateau.  Historians and gourmands awake!

> Click here for a selection of what there is to see and do while at Le Nid.

The closest town to Chateau is Cluny, both charming by virtue of its weekly market, narrow streets and colourful terraces, and of cultural interest, as it boasts the remains of the most important abbey church in Christendom before St. Peter’s in Rome was built. One of France’s most important stud farms is situated in Cluny. Founded by Napoleon in 1806 it is open daily to the public and attracts many equestrian events to the town.

Sampling the wonderful wines and food of Burgundy is an essential part of the style of life in this region and many excellent restaurants and wine cellars await the hungry and thirsty traveller. Savoir vivre!

The owners Karen and Marc Keiser, would be more than willing to answer any questions you may have, and, if you have any particular interests or plans, will do what they can to help you realize them. One example might be arranging French lessons, or perhaps a lesson in wine-tasting or Burgundian cooking. Special interest groups renting Le Nid, a wine or sketching club, may have particular needs or desires which we'd be happy to discuss; there is a studio on the premises where for instance a painting club could meet informally for instruction or indoor work.

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