The Roche de Solutré is a limestone escarpment that rises to 493 m above the Pouilly-Fuissé vineyards, about 10 km west of Mâcon. Access to the rock is free, and a 4 km loop climbs to the summit.
The rock is the center of the Grand Site de France Solutré Pouilly Vergisson, which received the label in May 2013. At its foot stand the Solutré Prehistory Museum, the Maison du Grand Site and the Atrium du Pouilly-Fuissé, the cellar of the appellation's producers' association.
This guide covers the walk, the museum and the Maison du Grand Site, the estates around the rock, transport from Paris and Mâcon, opening hours and costs. For the wider region, see Burgundy.
The walk to the summit
The walk starts at the parking area at the foot of the rock. The loop is 4 km long with about 100 m of climb, and the round trip takes about 1 hour. Interpretive panels line the path.
The path has many steps, and strollers and bikes can't use it.
From the top you can see the Saône plain, Mâcon and the vineyards around the rock. The poet Lamartine described the site as two petrified ships above a sea of vines.
François Mitterrand climbed the Roche de Solutré every year from 1946 to 1994. A castle once stood on the escarpment, and Duke Philip the Good had it dismantled in 1435.
Longer walks around the Grand Site
The Roche de Vergisson, the twin of Solutré, reaches 485 m. The Mâcon tourist office lists these marked walks from the Grand Site:
- Le sentier des crêtes: 8 km, about 2 hours 30 minutes, average level.
- Les confidences de la Roche de Vergisson: 3 km, easy, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Entre Pouilly et Fuissé: 8 km, easy, about 2 hours 30 minutes.
On these paths you pass cadoles, the small dry-stone huts of the vineyards, old stone walls called murgers, and calcareous grasslands on the heights. Stay on the marked paths and keep dogs on a leash. Fires are forbidden on the Grand Site.
The museum and the Maison du Grand Site
Solutré Prehistory Museum
The museum is mostly underground. It displays finds from the prehistoric site at the foot of the rock, where Neanderthal hunters and then modern humans hunted reindeer and horses. The site was occupied for 55,000 years.
Solutré gave its name to the Solutrean culture, about 26,000 to 22,500 years ago. The Crot du Charnier site was discovered in September 1866, and Gabriel de Mortillet chose Solutré as the name site for the period in 1869. Solutrean laurel-leaf points are knapped on both faces.
A large east-facing window looks over the Saône valley toward the Jura and, on clear days, Mont Blanc. The museum ticket includes the archaeological and botanical park, about 13,000 m² with 8 stations, designed in 2006.
The museum is about 200 m on foot from the parking lots. Dogs are not allowed inside.
Maison du Grand Site
The Maison du Grand Site stands at the foot of the rock. Its interpretation center on the site's geology and human history is free. It also has temporary exhibitions, tourist information and the Café de la Roche. Leashed dogs are welcome at the Maison and on the trails.
Pouilly-Fuissé around the rock
Pouilly-Fuissé makes white wine only, from chardonnay, in the villages of Chaintré, Fuissé, Solutré-Pouilly and Vergisson. The appellation covers about 760 ha, has about 250 producers and dates from 1936. On September 3, 2020, 22 climats covering 194 ha became Premiers Crus.
Solutré-Pouilly has 215 ha of vines in production and 60 producers. Vergisson has 190 ha and 45 producers. The vineyards are private working land: don't walk into the rows.
Getting there
The fastest route from Paris is the direct TGV INOUI from Paris Gare de Lyon to Mâcon-Loché TGV, in 1 hour 30 minutes. From Mâcon, the Roche de Solutré is about 10 km west, by on-demand bus or car.
| Option | From | Time or distance | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TGV INOUI | Paris Gare de Lyon to Mâcon-Loché TGV | 1h30 | 0 |
| Car | Paris on the A6, exit Mâcon Sud | — | — |
| Car | Lyon to Mâcon | 45 min | — |
| On-demand bus | Mâcon to La Roche de Solutré | Book by 5 p.m. the day before | — |
| On foot | Mâcon-Loché TGV to La Grange du Bois | 13 km | — |
Mâcon has two stations, Mâcon-Ville and Mâcon-Loché TGV. Trema bus line E links them.
On-demand transport runs Monday to Saturday from Mâcon to La Roche de Solutré. Book by phone on the toll-free 0 800 35 00 34 the day before, before 5 p.m. The booking line answers Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. A single Trema ticket costs €1.30 ($1) and is valid for 1 hour.
By car, take the A6 highway to the Mâcon Sud exit. Solutré-Pouilly is 6 km from that exit. Mâcon is 45 minutes from Lyon by car. For the route from Lyon airport, see Lyon Airport to Burgundy.
The P1 parking lot at the foot of the rock has 60 spaces for cars. P2 holds up to 200 vehicles, including buses and, during the day, motorhomes. Both are free. Camping is not permitted.
On foot, the Grand Site's car-free route starts at Mâcon-Loché TGV station. The first day covers 13 km to La Grange du Bois, a hamlet of Solutré-Pouilly, and the second covers 16 km back to the station. For other options, see Burgundy without a car.
When to go
Access to the rock is free. The museum and the Maison du Grand Site follow a seasonal schedule.
From April 4 to November 1, 2026, both open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and they close on Mondays from September 7. From February 7 to April 3 and from November 2 to 29, 2026, they open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and close on Mondays.
Both close from January 5 to February 6 and from November 30 to December 18, and on May 1, 2026, and November 28 and 29, 2026. The museum reopens from December 19, 2026, to January 3, 2027, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., except December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1.
The Atrium du Pouilly-Fuissé opens from April to November. In October and November 2026, it opens Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays and public holidays from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. In July and August, it holds free tastings on Wednesday mornings, sometimes in the garden of the Maison du Grand Site.
Domaine Auvigue in Fuissé receives visitors Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Its open house is on December 5, 2026. The Œnothèque Georges Burrier opens all year, Tuesday to Saturday.
Visiting the estates
Visits around the rock run from a free walk-in tasting at the Atrium to booked and by-appointment visits at estates in Fuissé.
Atrium du Pouilly-Fuissé
The Atrium is the cellar of the Pouilly-Fuissé producers' association, at 322 Route de la Roche in Solutré-Pouilly. Its commented tasting covers a 6-wine collection from 5 terroirs, including the Eclat de Roche cuvée and one Premier Cru. It is free and needs no booking.
An individual visit takes about 30 minutes, with guided tastings in French and English. Groups visit by appointment, for 45 minutes. The Atrium carries wines from more than 80 wineries.
Domaine Auvigue, Fuissé
Domaine Auvigue's Initiation en Mâconnais visit starts with a guided tour of a winery inside a fully renovated 12th-century Romanesque church. A sensory workshop on the aromas of the area's white wines follows, then a tasting of 4 wines.
The visit lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes, in French or English. Reserve by phone or email, or book online.
Œnothèque Georges Burrier, Fuissé
This tasting room on the Rouette du Clos in Fuissé serves wines from 5 châteaux and domaines, including Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru and Saint-Véran. A visit includes the vat room and the barrel cellar. Visits are by appointment, and the staff speak English and Spanish.
Domaine Vincent Cornin, Fuissé
Domaine Vincent Cornin runs guided visits by appointment, lasting 90 minutes. Its activities include vineyard visits, a presentation of wine-growing equipment and meals at the estate.
Other estates nearby
Château-Fuissé, the Vincent family estate at 419 rue du Plan in Fuissé, receives visitors for tastings by appointment.
In Solutré-Pouilly, Domaine Vervier offers cellar visits, vineyard visits and tastings. Its wines include Pouilly-Fuissé Premier Cru Vignerais and Mâcon Solutré.
In Davayé, Domaine des Deux Roches (Collovray & Terrier) offers cellar and vineyard visits, tastings and tasting courses, with English spoken. For how appointments work across the region, see Booking Burgundy domaine visits.
Spit if you are driving, or choose a designated driver.
What it costs
The rock, its parking lots and the interpretation center in the Maison du Grand Site are free. Tastings around the rock run from free at the Atrium to €25 ($27) for the Initiation en Mâconnais visit at Domaine Auvigue.
Museum tickets cost €6 ($6) at full price, €4 ($4) at the reduced rate for adults and students aged 18 to 26, and €3 ($3) for ages 6 to 17. Children under 6 enter free. The ticket includes the archaeological and botanical park.
Group visits at the Atrium cost €6.50 ($7) per person. A single Trema ticket for the on-demand bus from Mâcon costs €1.30 ($1).
Ask the estates that receive visitors by appointment about fees when you book.
Before you go
- Park only in the two free parking lots at the foot of the rock, P1 and P2. Parking elsewhere is not permitted.
- Take particular care at the summit, which is not developed, to avoid falls.
- Carry your waste back down. There are no trash cans on the trail, and the sorting area is at the entrance to the P1 parking lot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb the Roche de Solutré?
Allow about 1 hour for the round trip. The loop from the parking area at the foot of the rock is 4 km long with about 100 m of climb. It has many steps, so leave strollers and bikes behind.
Is the Roche de Solutré free to visit?
Yes. Access to the rock is free, and so are the P1 and P2 parking lots and the interpretation center in the Maison du Grand Site. The Solutré Prehistory Museum charges €6 ($6) at full price and €3 ($3) for ages 6 to 17.
Can I get to Solutré from Mâcon without a car?
Yes. On-demand transport runs Monday to Saturday from Mâcon to La Roche de Solutré. Book by phone on 0 800 35 00 34 the day before, before 5 p.m. A single Trema ticket costs €1.30 ($1).
Do I need to book a Pouilly-Fuissé tasting near the rock?
Not at the Atrium du Pouilly-Fuissé in Solutré-Pouilly, where the commented tasting of 6 wines is free and needs no booking. Domaine Auvigue's visit in Fuissé requires a reservation, and the Œnothèque Georges Burrier receives visitors by appointment.
Can I bring my dog to the Roche de Solutré?
Yes, on a leash. Leashed dogs are welcome on all the Grand Site trails and at the Maison du Grand Site. Dogs are not allowed in the Solutré Prehistory Museum.
