La Clayette is a small town in the Brionnais, the hilly southern corner of Burgundy, and its centrepiece is a castle reflected in a lake. The château, with its towers and turrets, rises straight out of the water, and on a still morning the reflection is almost perfect. It is privately owned, so you can admire it from the lakeside but not usually from the inside.
This is cattle country. The Charolais breed, the big, cream-white beef cattle you see in fields all over the world, originated in this area, and the meadows around La Clayette are full of them, grazing between hedgerows and old oaks. On market days, the farmers come to town, and the bars fill with talk of animals and prices. The local restaurants serve Charolais beef in all its forms, and if you are a meat eater, it is worth trying.
The Brionnais is also known for its Romanesque churches, small, beautiful buildings in golden stone scattered through the villages, with carved portals and tympana. Anzy-le-Duc and Semur-en-Brionnais are among the most famous, both a short ride away. To the east, the Montagne de Dun, a hill with a ruined chapel at the top, offers wide views over the countryside.
The roads around La Clayette are a joy for riders who like gentle, winding routes through rolling countryside. They are quiet, mostly well surfaced, and they meander through hills, woods and pastures, with constant changes of direction and gradient. You will meet tractors and cattle trucks, and occasionally cows on the road, so ride with care. La Clayette is a small town, so for a full range of services, you might need to head to Paray-le-Monial, about twenty-three kilometres away, famous for its Romanesque basilica. Spring and early summer, with the hedges in flower and the meadows green, are lovely.