Mâcon

Research Status: Basic Last Updated: 2025-12-07 Diary Coverage: August 1873

Overview

Mâcon is a city in eastern France in the Burgundy region, located on the Saône River. It served as an important stop on the railway line between Paris and the Mediterranean coast.

Historical Context

In the 1870s, Mâcon was:

• A significant stop on the Paris-Lyon-Mediterranean (PLM) railway
• A wine-producing region (Mâconnais wines)
• Located approximately halfway between Paris and Lyon
• About 6-7 hours by train from Paris

Marie's Journey - August 27, 1873

Marie mentions traveling with a French couple "avec nous jusqu'à Mâcon" (with us until Mâcon) during her overnight train journey from Paris to Nice on August 27-28, 1873.

The couple:

• Are French (not Russian or international like Marie's party)
• Are traveling to Switzerland
• Share the train compartment with Marie, her aunt, Dina, and Paul
• Part ways at Mâcon while Marie's group continues south

Railway Context

Mâcon was a logical parting point:

• Travelers to Switzerland would change trains at Mâcon or continue to Geneva
• Those heading to the Mediterranean (like Marie) would continue on the PLM line through Lyon, Marseille, and on to Nice
• The Mâcon stop likely occurred during the night or early morning hours

Weather During Journey

Marie notes that during this leg of the journey:

• A terrible storm ("orage éclate")
• Frightening lightning ("les éclairs sont terribles")
• Lightning strikes leaving silver lines in the sky for several seconds
• The dramatic weather marks the journey segment including Mâcon

Related Entries

See also: #Train, #Paris_1870s, #Marseille