Discover Beaujolais
Saint Véran, Pouilly-Fuissé, Brouilly, Chiroubles, Moulin-à-Vent… the names alone are enough to tease the tastebuds. As local wine growers aptly put it, Beaujolais wines, both red and white, are a product of the sky, the earth and the love they receive.
The Beaujolais region also includes the upper Azergues Valley, where travellers are lulled by the rhythm of the landscape of meadows and forests of Douglas firs, imported from Canada. The largest of these trees, standing 55m tall and 4m around, can be found in Claveisolles. The Beaujolais landscape also includes the Tarare Mountains, the magnificent hills that invite you to get away from it all on foot, on horseback or by bicycle.
Villefranche, the capital of Beaujolais, is a great place for a stroll. The Rue Nationale (‘Rue Nat’ to those in the know) is the beating heart of the city, opening onto a multitude of inner courtyards where you can leave the bustle of the city behind for a few minutes. From Gothic to Italian Renaissance, private hotels have sprung up one after another and rival each other for magnificence. Finish up with the beautiful Notre-Dame des Marais church, whose delicate stone decorations rise into the sky. Set out in search of traditional Lyonnais cuisine and do a little shopping at the covered market, which is one of the oldest in France. Wander through the Paul Dini museum, where you’ll discover paintings by artists who lived or stayed in the region, dating from the 19th century to the modern day.
Le Pays des Pierres Dorées, or the Land of the Golden Stones, brings Tuscany to France at the heart of the Beaujolais region. This area gets its name from the yellow ochre stone of its houses, which comes alive in the sunlight and gives the villages their irresistible character. The Espace Pierre Folles takes you on a wonderful journey into ancient times. Dive into the very depths of history with the botanical garden, the geology trail inaugurated by Haroun Tazieff in 1988, and the building’s creative architecture, which is itself a metaphor for the geology of the area. Follow the Route Fleurie, which links the Beaujolais region’s most beautiful villages, and above all, don’t leave without exploring the narrow streets of the medieval hillside village of Oingt, one of the most beautiful villages in France. And why not explore it by donkey?
Visiting the Beaujolais region obviously means immersing yourself in the wonderful world of wine. Start with Hameau du vin, the region’s first wine-themed park. There’s 30,000m2 to discover and enjoy, including a vatting house, a cellar, a tasting room, and a garden designed to highlight the aromas of wine. To learn about Beaujolais from its vines, its people and its heritage, take the Beaujolais Wine Route (140km) which starts at Saint Amour (in the north) and takes in the vintages (Saint-Julien, Gleizé, Pommiers) and the villages as far as Lozanne. Alternatively, you can also “follow the grape”, a wine tour that encompasses both Mâconnais and Beaujolais wines and takes in 500km, 63 towns and villages and 12 possible routes.