SANTENAY

Santenay

Santenay is in the south of the Côte de Beaune. On the road from the north, you can see the mill. It watches over the Santenay vineyards like a Burgundian lighthouse. This pretty little town has all the charm of a holiday resort in the heart of the vineyards, with its fine residences and medieval château. Higher up, on the way to the Montagne des Trois Croix, you pass through the bucolic hamlet of Saint Jean de Narosse, with its beautiful church. But did you know that Santenay was a spa town?

Spa and wellness

Santenay: history and heritage

The Sorine windmill, built in the early 19th century, can be seen in the well-exposed vineyards to the south of Santenay. This is the only windmill in the Côte de Beaune to be revived each year at a major festival in June. In addition to its pleasant square with its fountains, Santenay boasts some beautiful typical Burgundy white stone houses and opulent 19th-century residences. In the upper part of the village, don’t miss some remarkable buildings such as the Château de la Crée, a 19th-century winegrowing manor house, or the Château de Philippe le Hardi, a 14th-century fortified house with a square keep and colourful tiled roofs. At the foot of the Montagne des Trois Croix, stop for a moment at the charming Hameau de Narosse to discover a small church with a Romanesque porch nestling at the bottom of a combe.

Chateau Santenay — ©Chateau de Santenay - Philippe le Hardi|Studio Piffaut

©St Jean De Narosse Church|Images Et Associes

Wines of Santenay

This wine-growing village is proud to be Burgundian and to sing the praises of the appellation’s wines with the Confrérie des Grumeurs de Santenay, who will introduce you to Burgundian camaraderie over a banquet. Follow the Route des Grands Crus between Maranges and Montrachet and discover the vineyards and picturesque villages clinging to the sun-drenched hillsides of the Côte de Beaune.

©caves-chateau-santenay|Office de Tourisme de Beaune & Pays Beaunois

Santenay, a town of water in wine country

There’s no doubt that Santenay is a wine-growing village, with vineyards all around. But who would have guessed just a few years ago that this pretty Burgundy town hid miraculous waters? And yet the spring, still hidden in a grove, was already delighting users of the thermal baths in Gallo-Roman times. Its Fontaine Salée, rich in sodium chloride, is now renowned for treating digestive ailments and rheumatological problems. The exploitation of these benefits has had its ups and downs, until Valvital developed its spa complex, just a stone’s throw from the original source. Now it’s possible to come to Burgundy for a cure, in the heart of Santenay’s Premier Cru vineyards. And if you’re afraid of a three-week cure, no problem, the centre welcomes you for wellness afternoons. Come and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere with sauna, hammam and indoor swimming pool between two visits to the cellars.

Santenay, leisure activities

Come and enjoy the relaxing sight of the barges sailing on the Canal du Centre on foot or by bike, take a family outing on the signposted hiking trails or cool off at the open-air swimming pool where there are facilities for all the family: Then in the evening, take your pick from the Santenay casino, where shows and thrills are on offer all year round: slot machines, poker, roulettes, not forgetting cabaret evenings! Or make your selection of tastings, visits and activities in Santenay.

©Santenay Musical Summer Choir|Studio Piffaut

Santenay celebrates

Every 3rd Sunday in June, discover the secrets of the Sorine mill at a major festival combining folklore and tradition that will appeal to young and old alike. Throughout the summer, Santenay offers classical, jazz and variety concerts. The Music & Theatre Festival in July is another summer highlight. In October, the Marie-Noël poetry prize, in tribute to the poetess, is awarded to a collection of poems, the author of which receives 100 bottles of the finest Burgundy wines. And for those with a sweet tooth, the chocolate market takes place every 1st Sunday in December.

Where to go out

in Santenay?

A walk in Santenay

We invite you to discover the fascinating history of Santenay by following in the footsteps of a Santenay resident. Along the way, he’ll tell you all about the history of Santenay’s thermal baths, as well as a few anecdotes about the legends and little stories that make up the soul of the town. To follow this epic story, which dates back to Gallo-Roman times, all you have to do is download the Balades en Bourgogne app. Along the way, you’ll come across the Place du Jet d’Eau, a reminder of the importance of water in this spa town, the Château de Santenay and its various uses over the ages, the Château de Santenay and the Château de Santenay.the Château de la Crée, the Casino de Santenay and, of course, the Santenay thermal baths, recently (re)built. You’ll be joined by Gallo-Roman gods, a cycling legend, heroes with thwarted love affairs and much more.

Discover the Santenay walk

Our favourites

The Valvital thermal baths aqua-relaxation area

Remarkable trees at the Château Philippe le Hardi

Tasting picnics at Château de la Crée