Paulée de la Côte Chalonnaise

The Paulée de la Côte Chalonnaise: When Wine Meets Photography

Since 2000, the Paulée de la Côte Chalonnaise has established itself as one of Burgundy's major wine events. Organized annually in October in Chalon-sur-Saône, this festival celebrates the end of the harvest in the tradition of Burgundian paulées, those joyful banquets where winegrowers and guests share the fruits of their labor.

A Tasting Tour in the Heart of the City

The concept is simple and convivial: with a Paulée Kit including an engraved glass and seven tasting tickets, visitors stroll through the streets of Chalon's historic center to discover the appellations of the Côte Chalonnaise. Bouzeron, Givry, Mercurey, Montagny, Rully, Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise, and Crémant de Bourgogne: seven prestigious appellations are unveiled along a route dotted with stands run by the winegrowers themselves.

The Parade of Wine Brotherhoods

On Saturday morning, the city comes alive to the sound of fanfares for the traditional parade of wine brotherhoods. Coming from all over Burgundy in ceremonial dress, members of the brotherhoods march through the streets of Chalon in a colorful procession that is one of the most spectacular moments of the festival. In the evening, the Paulée Banquet brings together over 1,200 guests at the Parc des Expositions for a gastronomic dinner accompanied by the best vintages of the Côte Chalonnaise.

Photography in the Spotlight

A unique aspect of this Paulée: it pays homage to Nicéphore Niépce, inventor of photography and a native of Chalon-sur-Saône. Each edition highlights photographers whose works are exhibited in the city, creating an original dialogue between the art of the vine and the art of the image. In 2025, three photographers were celebrated through exhibitions scattered throughout the city center.

A Weekend of Burgundian Conviviality

On Sunday, the Apéro Gueuleton on the Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville brings together winegrowers and the public around local products in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. The 26th edition in 2025 recorded record attendance with over 6,500 visitors over the entire weekend, confirming the growing influence of this festival that combines wine tradition, gastronomy, and photographic culture.