It was firstly the architecture that established the fame of Paray le Monial: the town may be discovered through the history of its monuments. The monks' church which became a minor basilica has survived the centuries without a scratch. Thanks to the first archaeological excavations prior to the installation of under-floor heating, it is now known that the place had been occupied well before the arrival of the monks in the Xth century. The cloister (XVIIIth), completed in 1750, was only able to house the monks for about fifty years. The façade of the town hall (Maison Jayet) is unique in Burgundy. It provides us with information about housing in the Renaissance era. A little later, in the XVIIth century, nuns from the Order of the Visitation settled in Paray le Monial and built the chapel which may be visited today. At the end of the XIXth century, the Hiéron, museum of sacred art, was developed under the inspiration of the Jesuits. From 2004, this place which has long been closed, will once again have its prestigious restored Italian paintings (XVIth-XVIIth), and the Romanesque tympanum of Anzy le Duc. From there, one arrives at the entrance to the chapel of la Colombière (early XXth), built in honour of the confessor of Margaret Mary, Claude la Colombière. The stained-glass windows and the mosaics made by the workshop of the Maumejean brothers may be seen, with their pure Art deco style.

Paray le Monial (four flowers awarded by the national committee for flowers in France) is situated on the borders of southern Burgundy, in the heart of Charolais country, rich and fertile. Its natural environment is therefore particularly well-cared for and attractive. It is a pleasure to discover the tour of the Brionnais Romanesque churches between Paray le Monial and Charlieu: Anzy le Duc, Semur-en-Brionnais, Varenne l'Arconce, etc…
Beyond these churches, it is possible to round a corner, meet local master craftsmen, find good places where regional produce may be tasted. On Thursday morning, Saint-Christophe-en-Brionnais provides the age-old location for the famous Charolais beef fair.
Burgundy is also a land where the vines thrive: wines from Maçon, the Côte Chalonnaise, prestigious wines from the côte d'Or, wines of the Loire.

The tourist office is there to help you organise your stay, and to suggest ideas for tours, lasting from just a few hours to several days.