Solutre Rock

Solutre Rock is an interesting geological formation in southern Burgundy. In fact, this is a coral, formed at the bottom of the ancient sea 160 million years ago.


In the Middle Ages bandits lived here, during the Second World War - French resistance. The rock became especially famous in the 1980s, when President François Mitterrand began to make annual ascents.


At the foot of the rock there is a Museum of Primitive History. The first excavations were carried out on this site in 1866. As it turned out, primitive people were hunting here 55,000 years ago! And they lived near the second rock - Vergisson, it can be seen in the background in the next photo. The rocks are so similar that in 2009 the famous tourist guide from Michelin made a mistake.


We planned to climb the rock early in the morning, so stopped to spend the night in the Solutré-Pouilly village.


There is only one hotel - La Courtille de Solutré (booking.com). In the hotel you can dine. The restaurant is traditional, quite expensive, included in the Michelin guide.

The rise itself is not difficult and took us about half an hour. Entrance to the path is through the museum.


The neighboring town of Vergisson.


Vineyards are everywhere


When we came back to the parking, there were already two buses with the tourists. The place seems to be popular, so it's a good idea to come in the morning. In general, location is highly recommended.

Getting there: parking coordinates N 46 17.833 E 4 42.934. There is a bus 208 of Trema company from Macon to Solutré-Pouilly . And Macon can be reached by the TGV from Paris (1.5 hours), Lyon (20 minutes) or Marseille (2.5 hours).