Paulée de la Côte Chalonnaise
The great harvest and photography festival in Chalon-sur-Saône
2026
About Paulée Chalonnaise
Paulée Chalonnaise — edition 2026
The 27th Paulée de la Côte Chalonnaise takes place from October 16 to 18, 2026, in Chalon-sur-Saône, celebrating the Bicentenary of photography. Winemakers from the seven appellations will host the Friday tasting evening, followed by the city-center shop trail on Saturday and Sunday. Photographer Laure Villain presents the exclusive "La Côte des Origines" exhibition.
The 2026 edition celebrates 200 years of photography, paying tribute to Nicéphore Niépce, who was born in Chalon-sur-Saône. The Musée Nicéphore Niépce invited Laure Villain to photograph the Côte chalonnaise: cyanotype, pigments, salt, earth, plants, and wine blend with the images in an outdoor exhibition of over 200 panels along the Quai des Messageries, at Port Villiers, and throughout the city.
The Saturday and Sunday tasting trail includes a record 15 partner shops. At the Cloître Saint-Vincent, the "Le vin est une fête" exhibition draws from the museum's collections, and Thomas Volatier presents "Magie Deux Siècles". Barrels transformed into camera obscuras allow visitors to observe the landscape just as Niépce did. The Musée Vivant-Denon opens "Le sang de la terre", exploring the history of wine in Burgundy. The 2026 photo contest, themed "La table est servie", will result in an exhibition on Quai Gambetta from October 16 to November 9.
Highlights Paulée Chalonnaise 2026
- Exclusive "La Côte des Origines" exhibition by Laure Villain for the Bicentenary of photography: over 200 panels throughout the city
- Friday, October 16: Tasting evening with winemakers, Rue de Strasbourg
- Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18: Tasting trail across 15 partner locations
- Saturday, October 17: Brotherhood parade, Saint-Hubert Mass, and induction ceremonies
- Sunday, October 18: "Magie Deux Siècles" show by Thomas Volatier and Gueuletons des Alpes aperitif
Programme Paulée Chalonnaise 2026
Thursday, October 15, 2026 (Preview)
- 7:00 PM — Wine tasting and meet-and-greet with photographer Laure Villain, creator of the "La Côte des Origines" exhibition · Musée Nicéphore Niépce · €35 · Reservations required at 03 85 48 41 98 or [email protected]
Friday, October 16, 2026
- 6:30 PM–8:30 PM — Tasting evening with winemakers from the Côte chalonnaise, featuring the Sonneurs de trompes du Débuché de Rully and the Brass Pop Machine band · Rue de Strasbourg, île Saint-Laurent · Engraved glass €10, available at quai de la Monnaie
Saturday, October 17, 2026
- 10:00 AM–3:00 PM — Tasting of the new Maison des Vins selection · Promenade Sainte-Marie
- 10:00 AM–6:00 PM — "Le vin est une fête" exhibition · Cloître Saint-Vincent
- 11:00 AM–6:00 PM — Barrel-making demonstrations by the Compagnons du Devoir · Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville
- 11:00 AM–8:00 PM — Grand tasting trail, concerts, and entertainment at partner shops (Paulée kit €6, sold at Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville) · City center
- Saturday and Sunday — Camera obscura barrels · Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, Musée Niépce courtyard, Cloître Saint-Vincent, Maison des Vins
- 2:30 PM — Flash tour of the "Le sang de la terre" temporary exhibition · Musée Vivant-Denon · Free, 30 minutes
- 3:30 PM — Parade of the Mutual Aid Societies and wine brotherhoods of the Côte chalonnaise, with the Ouroux-sur-Saône brass band · Departing from Maison des Vins
- 5:00 PM — Solemn Saint-Hubert Mass, performed by the Échos du Chalonnais horn players, with the Maîtrise Saint Charles · Cathédrale Saint-Vincent
- 6:00 PM — Induction ceremonies for the Saint-Vincent brotherhoods and the disciples of the Chanteflûte de Mercurey, the Embrasseurs du Fin Goulôt de Montagny, and the Rubiliaco Vinorum of Rully · Place Saint-Vincent
- 8:00 PM — Burgundian banquet by Le Canon français · Parc des Expositions · Sold out
- "La Côte des Origines" photo exhibition by Laure Villain, free access: over 200 panels · Quai des Messageries, Port Villiers, and city center
- "La table est servie" photo contest exhibition · Quai Gambetta, from October 16 to November 9
Sunday, October 18, 2026
- 10:00 AM–12:00 PM — "Le vin est une fête" exhibition · Cloître Saint-Vincent
- 11:00 AM–3:00 PM — Tasting trail, concerts, and entertainment at partner shops; Maison des Vins tastings at Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, shops open from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM · City center
- 11:00 AM — Flash tour of the "Le sang de la terre" exhibition · Musée Vivant-Denon · Free
- 12:00 PM — Aperitif with Gueuletons des Alpes, featuring Brass Pop Machine (tapas €5, main course €20 at the chalet from 11:00 AM, while supplies last; tasting included with kit, then paid) · Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville
- 12:00 PM — Burgundian banquet by Le Canon français · Parc des Expositions · Sold out
- 2:30 PM — Flash tour of the "Le sang de la terre" exhibition · Musée Vivant-Denon · Free
- 3:00 PM, 4:15 PM, and 5:30 PM — "Magie Deux Siècles", historical fairground show by Thomas Volatier · Cloître Saint-Vincent · Free, reservations required at 03 85 90 50 90 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 2:00 PM–5:00 PM)
Tasting trail featuring concerts by Cathy Corlin, Makeda, Modern Swingt, Swing Folie, and Wannaby. Fifteen partner locations: Jôye, Cave des Tonneliers, Le Cha'lon bar, Rosette & Ciboulette, Cave de Mazenay, Côte Saône, Cellier Saint-Vincent, Chez Nicole, Le 64, Le Carnot, Place 2b, Brasserie du Palais, Cave Terroirs et Millésimes, Le BAB, and the Maison des Vins. The Paulée kit includes a bag, an engraved glass, and 7 tasting tickets, limited to 3 per person, credit card payment only.
Prices Paulée Chalonnaise 2026
Practical information — Paulée Chalonnaise
Getting there
By car: Take the A6 motorway, using the Chalon-Nord or Chalon-Sud exits (120 km from Lyon, 330 km from Paris).
By train: TGV high-speed trains reach Chalon-sur-Saône in 1 hour and 20 minutes from Paris. Alternatively, arrive via the Montchanin-Le Creusot station, where taxi shuttles are available.
By air: Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport.
Locations
Chalon-sur-Saône city centre: Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville (tasting kits sold here), Rue de Strasbourg, the Saint-Vincent Cathedral and cloister, the Maison des Vins, and the Parc des Expositions for banquets.
Information
Grand Chalon Tourist Office, 4 place du Port Villiers, 71100 Chalon-sur-Saône, +33 (0)3 85 48 37 97, [email protected].
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.
Where does it take place — Paulée Chalonnaise
Paulée Chalonnaise in brief
History of Paulée Chalonnaise
Edition 2025 Oct 2025Other festivals near Chalon-sur-Saône
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Published by Valentin Contard, festival listings writer. Reviewed, corrected and approved by Christophe Contard, editor-in-chief. .
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