D20 montchanin to Saint Boll

We definitely crossed a cultural boundary today as we left the canal system of central France and entered the rolling country of Burgundy. Burgundy has a long and rich history which I can't possibly do justice to here suffice to say it has meant different things to different people at different times in history but it has played its part through history in the development of the French state.
In its origins we could do worse than go back to the division of Charlemagnes empire into 3 parts, the river Saone separating Burgundy (and France) from Ain (nowadays France but not always).
Anyway we cut through a ridge of hills where you can just see my bike under the tree beyond the cross and Sus sheltering from the 30plus sun under the next tree. We descended to our valley  using an old mining train viaduct worthy of John Grimshaw!

We emerged into the promised land! Rolling vineyards with lovely stone villages oozing with history. The Romans began the viticulture but the monastic Benedictine order of Clun y perfected it and ran it for 1000 years. As late as Richelieu he was boss cardinal.of Cluny - land wine and power....A

 heady mix!

Our first night was enjoyed in a French empire 19th century house where the classic shuttering provided the perfect drying rack for the daily business (alright every two days) of finding out that sweaty cycling gear.