Charolles (French pronunciation: [ʃaʁɔl] ⓘ; Burgundian: Tsarolles) is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in the region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in eastern France.
[3] Charolles is located at the confluence of the Semence and the Arconce rivers, 60 kilometres (37 mi) west-northwest of Mâcon.
[4] Charolles was the capital of Charolais, an old division of France, which from the early 14th century gave the title of count to its possessors.
[4] The ruins of the castle of the counts of Charolais occupy the summit of a hill in the immediate vicinity of the town.
[4] According to the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, in the early 20th century there were stone quarries in the vicinity; the town manufactured pottery, and was the centre for trade in the famous breed of Charolais cattle and in agricultural products.