Take advantage of your vacation in the Jura to discover the village of Château-Chalon!
The Haute Seille house
In a historic residence in the town of Château-Chalon, discover the Haute Seille region in a FUN and INTERACTIVE way: video projections, audio testimonies, exhibitions, for young and old!
Linger in the themed areas, where you'll discover not only the people who made the region's history, but also its exceptional natural and wine-growing heritage.
3 levels of discovery :
Ground floor
At the entrance to the building, Maison de la Haute Seille staff will welcome you and advise you on the local area. A documentation area is at your disposal. There's also a store selling local produce.
You have access to the terrace and garden, from which the view over the vineyards and the entrance to the Haute Seille is exceptional. Take the opportunity to sample some of the Jura beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) on offer at the Maison de la Haute Seille.
The floor
The history of Château-Chalon, and in particular its abbey, is explained to visitors via interactive panels.
Visitors will also discover some of the ancestral rituals that have been preserved, such as stonework, fayes and more. The ritual of the yellow wine breakthrough is also presented.
As if to mark a pause, visitors then discover audio testimonials from the inhabitants of the Coteaux de la Haute Seille, who recount their experience of the area.
Large panels give visitors an insight into the geological make-up of this area, which is so special partly because of its diversity of landscapes: remote areas, plateaus, valleys, plains, etc., and partly because of the fossils it contains. Secondly, because of the fossils it contains. Finally, as the ultimate discovery on the upper floor, a temporary exhibition on the preserved nature of the ecopole located in Bresse will give you an overview of the whole area.
The cellar
Discover an exceptional wine!
In the Maison's superb vaulted cellar, the film "Le Mystère du Vin Jaune" (The Mystery of Yellow Wine) is shown on a large screen. It won the "Landscape and Environment" prize at the 2008 Oenovideo international festival. Following this journey, you can taste the "yellow gold" of the Jura...
The school of yesteryear
With "L'École d'autrefois", rediscover the atmosphere, furniture and teaching materials of the 1930s. Discover or rediscover: the pleasure of pen-and-ink writing, school notebooks, textbooks and teacher's documents of the time.
Yellow wine
Vin jaune, formerly known as "vin de garde", is made from the Savagnin grape alone. It can bear the appellations Arbois, L'Etoile, Côtes du Jura, but the most famous is the AOC Château-Chalon, the wine's birthplace and grand cru.
The winegrowers cultivate the 50 hectares of AOC Château-Chalon in the communes of Château-Chalon, Ménétru-le-Vignoble, Domblans and Nevy-sur-Seille.
Whether it's the way it's made, its aromatic power or its container, this "yellow gold" leaves no one indifferent.
During aging, which takes place in oak barrels for a minimum of 6 years and 3 months, part of the wine evaporates. This process is also known as the "angels' share". A veil of yeast forms on the surface, preserving the wine from oxidation and giving it that famous "yellow taste".
It is then bottled in a special container: the clavelin. This 62 cl bottle is the ideal way to preserve the nutty aromas that make this excellent wine so special!
Vigne conservatoire: a way of preserving winegrowing heritage...
During your visit to Château-Chalon, take the opportunity to stop off at the vineyard conservatory.
In this open-air museum, you'll find 47 of the 50 Jura grape varieties from the pre-phylloxera period! Phylloxera, which swept through the Jura at the end of the 20th century, ravaged a large part of the region's vineyards. From 20,000 hectares to just 2,000 hectares!
Following this crisis, Jura winegrowers, who had previously grown up to 50 grape varieties, decided to rebuild a quality vineyard. This new vineyard would be based around 5 grape varieties, which today are the only ones authorized.
This conservatory vineyard is a true cultural heritage. It bears witness to the long history of the vineyards of Château-Chalon and, more broadly, of the Jura.
Belvederes of Château-Chalon
Château-Chalon boasts numerous views over the Bresse Haute Seille region. On one side, the vineyards, and on the other, the entrance to the reculées. In between, you can admire the Jura Bresse plain as far as the eye can see.
The panoramic views from this winegrowing village are breathtaking! They offer visitors to Château-Chalon a unique experience, unique to our region.
Escape Game
At the Château-Chalon school of yesteryear.
Can you solve the riddles to get out of school?
Good luck!