Your Holiday at a Glance

Independent walking Holiday	Beaujolais : Medieval village tour
	Book this Holiday
Dates for 2010	Starts everyday from the beginning of April until the end of October
Price	£525 p/p based on 2 sharing
Grade	grade explained
Profile	8 days: 6 days independent walking moving between guest houses with one rest day
Highlights	Historic villages made from a warm golden limestone including Oignt classified as one of the prettiest villages in France Varied walking through vines, pastures and forests Sweeping views across rolling Beaujolais countryside reminiscent of Tuscany Lovely B&B's where a warm welcome and great food is gaurenteed Wine tasting visits
Accommodation and Meals	7 nights accommodation in several charming guest houses, double or twin rooms with own bathrooms (2 and 3 star equivalent). All breakfasts included, all lunches with the exception of arrival and departure days and 6 evening meals
What's included	Airport and station transfers from Lyon. 7 nights' accommodation. All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 evening meals Full walking notes and maps (see more information) Transport of luggage between guest houses Read more information about our independent walking & trekking holidays
What's not included	Travel between the UK and Lyon, France Lunches on the day of arrival and departure and one evening meal in restaurant Transfers, other than those from Lyon. Any excursions or entrance fees Travel insurance
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Beaujolais - Medieval village tour

This independent walking holiday takes place in the Beaujolais region, located to the north and east of Lyon, which is made up of a series of rolling hills getting progressively higher as you go north and summiting around 1000m above sea level. Despite the relatively gentle nature of their slopes, the scale of the peaks and the depths of the valleys create a landscape of great panoramas and rich contrasts. The character of the hills changes with altitude as the vines give way to forests and pastures on the higher slopes.

Made up of about 40 parishes in the South of the Beaujolais region, the area known as the “Golden stones” (pierre dorées), is so called due to the colour of the limestone used in its historic buildings. Here, your walking holiday will pass through a number of remarkable villages with some of the prettiest villages in France perched on hilly promontories. Wherever you look, you'll find fortified remains, chateaux or churches adorning the vine covered slopes. The scale and gentleness of the slopes has created a sumptuous landscape of interlocking hills receding to the horizon, that literally leaves you with the impression of flying over the hills. This picturesque wine growing area is often referred to as the local Tuscany due to the similarities in their expansive landscapes. Your walking or hiking holiday covers a circular tour around the heart of this golden stones area, visiting about 15 of these picturesque and well preserved villages. For the most part, the region is relatively undiscovered in terms of walking holidays and therefore you will enjoy quiet, unspoilt trails.

Find out more abouth the Beaujolais region and it's average weather conditions

Walking profile This self-guided or independent walking holiday is made up of 5 walks moving between guest houses and one rest day. The walks average about 14km with limited ascents and descents although some paths can be rough and stoney in places with the odd steeper section. This walking holiday is an easier option than the other Beaujolais holiday, although you can undertake a walk on your rest day to add to the difficulty.

Day 1: Arrival Welcome, drive to Pommiers and settle in to your first guest house. Day 2: Pommiers - Châtillon d'Azergues Your first day's walk is a gentle introduction to the region, as the path gently climbs through vines, pasture and forest to the historic ridge top village of Charnay. From here the walking trails descends to the fortified village of Châtillon d'Azergues with its historic chateau and chapel. Day 3: Chatillon - Oingt Your second day starts with a visit of the village, including the 12th century chapel, before climbing out along a ridge to reach the historic village of Bagnols with its impressive chateau and great views of the Mont Lyonnais. The walking trail then follows a former railway line making for a gentle descent to the village of Bois d'Oingt before joining your B&B. Day 4: Oingt - Cogny Day 4 of your independent walking holiday starts by ascending to Oingt, classified as one of the prettiest villages in France. Here you can explore its narrow alleyways and admire the amazing views of the southern Beaujolais from its promenade. Afterwards the path climbs onto a picturesque ridge that leads to another quiant medieval village: Theizé. After lunch you take a path that contours beneath the higher hills crossing secluded valleys to reach your B&B. Day 5: Rest day Rest in the garden around the pool at your charming B&B or take an optional walk into the High Beaujolais hills. Day 6: Cogny - Lacenas There is an easier and harder walking option. The longer route explores the deep valleys and ridges north of the B&B where the granite replaces the limestone. Here you can ascend to the Chapel St Bonnet which provides unparalled views of the eastern Beaujolais and the Saône Valley. With either option, your return passes several medieval buildings including chapels and chateaux. Wine tasting and visit at B&B Day 7: Lacenas - Theizé A gentle end to the week passing through vines and the beautiful limestone village of Jarnioux with its amazing towered chateau. Your walking trail then climbs gently to your final B&B located in a secluded and beautiful spot. Day 8: Departure Transfer to Lyon and return from France

For useful advice about independent walking and preparing for your self guided holiday please take a look at the articles in our top-tips section.

Once you have booked on this independent walking or trekking holiday, further information about the walking, the region and what to bring, will be sent to you. We do have a web page dedicated to what clothes and equipment you should bring. In addition, our travel shop has direct access to all the top walking and travel retailers. Please contact us if you need any further information.

Accommodation & Meals

On our independent walking holiday in the southern Beaujolias, you will stay in a number of charming bed & breakfasts full of local character (3 corns quality). All rooms have private bathrooms. Examples of the guest houses used on the holiday are shown below.

A hearty and healthy continental breakfast provides the perfect opportunity to discover the local specialities such as home-made jams and local cheeses. At midday you will eat packed lunches prepared by your hosts. Most evening meals will be taken at your guest houses with your hosts, where you will be treated to local delicacies.

 

Name	Type	Details	Rating
Montgelin	B&B	Historic 19th farmhouse fully restored in the hamlet of Montgelin overlooking the Beaujolais vineyards near Oignt	3 Corns
La Villa Toscana	B&B	Historic house full of character located in a small hamlet near the village of Cogny overlooking the Beaujolais vineyards	3 Corns
Clos de Pomeir	B&B	Lovely historic house, beautifully restored near the pretty village of Pommiers. Swimming pool and garden with magnificent view across the hills.	3 Corns
Domaine des Averlys	B&B	Wine producers house, in a wonderful setting near the pretty village of Cogny. Wine tasting with friendly and welcoming hosts.	3 Corns

Travel Options

Flight Options

Transfers from Lyon airport

Transfers between Lyon Airport or train station and the Beaujolais region of France are included in the price of your independent walking holiday.

The airlines Easy jet, BMI and British Airways have scheduled flights from the UK - Stanstead, Manchester and Heathrow - to Lyon St Exupery airport. You can use the price comparison site Wegolo to compare the routes and prices for different low-cost airlines.

Please visit our travel shop for links to useful sites for reserving airport parking or booking train tickets

Note: Please check concerning the availability of a holiday before booking any flights. If you need further information or would like to discuss any aspect of your travel arrangements, please contact us, we’re here to help you. We would be happy to book travel arrangents to Lyon, France on your behalf.

 

By Train

Eurostar and the TGV provide a relaxing journey from London to Lyon Part Dieu changing at Lille. Please use Rail Europe's train finder to organise your train journey.

There is a practical train time leaving London at 9am and arriving in Lyon at 3pm. Please contact us before booking to check for other practical times.

Self Drive

Channel ferry crossings from Dover are provided by a number of operators including:

P&O Ferries 

Norfolk Line

 

Once in France, the journey from Calais to the Beaujolais area takes about 7 hours (excluding long breaks).

Tolls amount to about 35 euros each way. Controlled parking is available at the airport for 50 euros. Other secure but non-surveilled parking is available free of charge.