no alt text

Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 07 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Anna Brooke

The hugely well-known wines of the Beaujolais region are produced northwest of Lyon. The vineyards are set in 14,500 hectares of beautiful hills west of the Saone, in 12 appellations. Many of the wine villages are stunning and well worth a visit alongside the wineries themselves.

The best-known wine areas, such as Fleury, Brouilly or Morgon lie in the north, but the vine-growing areas to the south almost surpass them in beauty. The vineyards are utterly stunning and the area blissfully unspoiled, despite Beaujolais’s famous name.

The official website documents a 140km circular wine route, through the main wine region’s attractions, and a number of lovely routes for walking and cycling.

While you’re there

There are several good wine museums too across the area, including the popular Le Hameau Duboeuf in Romaneche-Thorins. La Maison du Terroir Beaujolais in Beaujeu is also good, one of several smaller poles oenologiques (wine centres). They have exhibitions, tastings, a wine shop and even bike hire, so that you can pedal out into the surrounding vineyards.

Price: Free
Minimum age: 18
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The region is a 3-minute drive from the city of Lyon. Organised tours are available through the Lyon tourist office website, or with specialist operators (see our recommendations below).

If you want to tour the vineyards independently by (hire) car, allow half a day or more and follow the Beaujolais wine route, which is clearly signposted and works in tandem with free downloadable route maps. Check the maps to see which vineyards require you to book in advance. Not all do.

Beaujolais Nouveau Day
Experience

Beaujolais Nouveau Day

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France

The Beaujolais wine harvest festival (every 3rd Thursday in November) brings boozy and foodie events to cafes, restaurants and wineries all around Lyon, with some celebrations spilling into the street.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free | 1 day

Website >
Overview >
Cave de Fleurie
Experience

Cave de Fleurie

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France

This lovely winery, with vines nestled on a church-topped hillside and views over the village of Chiroubles, makes excellent red, white and rose Beaujolais wines, including a surprising dark-pink sparkling wine, with sweet  fruits notes.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

Website >
Overview >
Cave du Chateau des Loges
Experience

Cave du Chateau des Loges

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France

You can just turn up to this excellent vineyard in the Brouilly region, famed for its berry-red 3 Madones wine, which goes well with duck or lamb, and its sparkling Cremant de Bourgogne, which gives Champagne a run for its money.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

Website >
Overview >
view across vineyards to a pretty chateau
Experience

Chateau de Julienas

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France

Book ahead for tastings at this 18th-century castle known for rose-petal-pink Cuvee Rosana rose, with notes of berries, and Juienas Cuvee le Clos, a deep red with notes of liquorice that goes well with red meats.

Best for ages: 19+ | Free

Website >
Overview >

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Beaujolais Segway Tour with Wine Tasting

Beaujolais Segway Tour with Wine Tasting

Lyon

Discover a Beaujolais village and its vineyards in this Segway tour surrounded by nature. Follow your enthusiastic and passionate guide thro...

€49 | Rating 4.80 / 5 [61 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Golden stones Beaujolais Wine Tour with Tastings from Lyon

Golden stones Beaujolais Wine Tour with Tastings from Lyon

Lyon

Discover Southern Beaujolais with our unusual and gourmet tour which will show the highlights of this beautiful region. Enjoy an exceptional...

€99 | Rating 4.7 / 5 [40 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Beaujolais gourmet wine tour Small-Group Tour with Tasting from Lyon

Beaujolais gourmet wine tour Small-Group Tour with Tasting from Lyon

Lyon

This wine itinerary is the perfect programme for discovering and tasting Beaujolais wines in all their diversity. A complete experience for ...

€99 | Rating 4.42 / 5 [7 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Beaujolais & Perouges Medieval Town (9:00 am to 5:15 pm - Small Group Tour Lyon

Beaujolais & Perouges Medieval Town (9:00 am to 5:15 pm - Small Group Tour Lyon

Lyon

Escape from city and discover Lyon's magnificient countryside and its best sights. Visit Oingt & Pérouges listed among the 157 most beautifu...

€118 | Rating 4.96 / 5 [30 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Chateau de Bagnols

Bagnols, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France[24.3 miles]

A beautiful 800-year-old chateau-castle dating back to 1217, complete with high-wall fortifications and a moat – idyllically set in the Beaujolais Wine Region.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Lyon

Auberge-Rhone-Alpes, France

The gastronomic capital of France, if not the world, is not just a foodie hotspot. With UNESCO-protected architecture and awe-inspiring Roman ruins, its one for history lovers too..

Website >
Overview >

Round-ups that include this experience

13 Best wine regions

Multiple countries

The world’s greatest wine regions – where you can sip the world’s greatest wines at source, and tour the vineyards to learn how they’re made.

Website >
Overview >