• At a glance
  • Locality & Walks
  • Accommodation & Meals
  • Travel options
  • Photos
At a Glance

Your Holiday at a Glance


Self-catering walking holiday - France
  • Freedom of Beaujolais

  • Choice of self-catering holiday rentals
Dates
  • April - October
Accommodation
  • Beautifully restored historic properties in different parts of the Beaujolais
Price
  • Please contact us for a quote
Grade
Profile
  • A week long independent self catering walking holiday in the Beaujolais region of France. A choice of walks through historic villages, world famous vineyards, breathtaking ridges and hills, plus lots more to see and do in the area, such as visiting Lyon - a world heritage city. A number of other activities are also possible including cycling and mountain biking
  • Possibility of rental periods as short as 2 nights outside of the main holiday season (not June, July, August or early September) Please contact us for more information
Highlights
  • Picturesque rolling countryside with summits around 1000m providing exceptional views over the valleys carpeted in vines
  • A choice of walks in a series of different regions with their own distinct character
  • A choice of historic properties each with their own distinctive charm
  • A region known for its wine and its gastronomic delights
  • Beautiful historic villages, chateaux and churches
  • Glorious autumnal colours late in the season
What's included
  1. Self catering rental in renovated historic property for a week, walking maps and walking descriptions supplied to keep, welcome meal on arrival if required at Grille-Midi
  2. Read more general information about our self catering independent holidays
  3. Option of paying for a day's guided walking led by William Armstrong, who works for High Point Holidays from his base in the Beaujolais.
What's not included
  1. Travel to Beaujolais, insurance, food (except welcome meal), any extra costs - entrance fees, guided walking etc
 
  1. Return to list of self-catering holidays
  2. Return to Home page
Walks

Locality & Walks

The Beaujolais region in France, located to the north and east of Lyon, is a series of rolling hills 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 Beaujolais hills changes with altitude as the vines give way to forests and pastures on the higher slopes.

One region not to be missed (but less frequented than the area of the grands crus) on your week's walking is the area known as the “Golden stones”, so called due to the colour of the limestone used in the buildings. Here you will find some of the prettiest villages in France, set in a sumptuous landscape of interlocking hills receding to the horizon.

During your self-catering independent walking holiday you can also explore other areas such as the High Beaujolais and the Mont Lyonnais, allowing you to discover, not only the world famous vineyards of the Beaujolais, but also the rich variety of beautiful landscapes that lie beyond.

In terms of walking, the Beaujolais is an undiscovered and largely unspoilt gem. You'll have the wonderful trails all to yourselves. Why not visit the region before it changes.

Find out more about the Beaujolais region


Walking Profile

The walks on this independent walking holiday vary in length and difficulty allowing you to choose walks that suit you and your interests. The Beaujolais region has an almost limitless number of possible trails which circum navigate the hills and valleys of this beautiful region. Your information pack will include suggestions for a dozen or so walks covering the best parts of the region. Most walks include some moderate ascents and descents. Lengths vary from a few kms up to around 20km. Paths are generally good, although they can be stoney and rough in places adding to the physical effort required on some walks.

Our representative William Armstrong is an experienced leader who has explored the local area in depth. As well as providing you with walking maps and notes, he will take great pleasure in giving you advice and explaining the best possible walks to suit your party. There is the option of paying for a day's guided walking (subject to availability). A selection of possible walks is listed below.

Cycling

There are a number of good cycle routes in the area. The Beaujolais would suit the keen cyclists, as most circuits would involve sizeable climbs. Away from the main roads, the routes are quiet and generally in good condition.

The area also has a large number of mountain biking trails - see our mountain biking page for more details


 

Map of France showing Beaujolasi Region

independent walking holiday in Beaujolais in France walking through vines

village of Oignt in golden stones area of Beaujolais in France

Selection of walks

The ridges above Perréon

This walk is an ideal introduction to the varying landscapes of the Beaujolais, with a climb up through the vineyards near Perréon within a picturesque, secluded valley. The ascent finishes on a ridge partly covered by protected moorland and pastures providing great panoramic views across the rolling hills

The French Tuscany

A gentle walk through the beautiful historic villages of the southern Beaujolais in the region of the “Golden Stones”, including Oingt (classed as one of the most beautiful villages in France), Theizé and Bagnols. Expansive landscapes reminiscent of the Tuscany hills span out in all directions.

The Grand Crus

A shorter walk amid the vines that make up the most famous Beaujolais Crus. Small hills and ridges allow you to climb above the vineyards and gain great views across the sea of grapes that spread towards the Saône.

A tour from the ancient capital

A great walk that starts and finishes at “Beaujeu” the ancient capital of Beaujolais. The path winds its way through the vines and up to the pine covered ridges above where an upland landscape of rolling hills is revealed. A tour of the ridges above allows you to experience a number of fascinating views across the Beaujolais hills.

The Azergues Valley

You can discover a number of secret treasures easily accessible from the Azergues valley by doing several small walks. Among the sights on offer are a number of fortified hill-top villages, some secluded valleys and a stand of giant Douglas pine trees - the tallest conifer trees in Europe.

An excursion into the Mont Lyonnais

In the South, the Beaujolais region merges with the hills of the Mont Lyonnais. This walk will provide you with an insight into this parallel landscape where the rows of vines are replaced by grazing cattle and fields of fruit trees. The hills offer amazing panoramic views stretching from the Massif Central to the Alps.


 

self catering rental accommodation in Beaujolais France, village of Jarnioux

Rolling countryside in Beaujolais France for this independent walking holiday in rental accommodation

Beaujolais vines walking with self-catering cottages in France

view from above perreon in Beaujolais France for this self catering walking holiday

View accross vines and hills in Beaujolais region of France independent walks and holiday rentals

booking holiday e-mail high point holidays

 

Bed

Accommodation & Meals


 

 

Description Price Photo  

Le Gite de Grille Midi

Historic cottage in rural setting in the heart of the Beaujolais region of France. Enclosed garden. All on ground floor. 2 bedrooms sleeping up to 6 persons. Possibility of renting extra rooms for larger groups. Wine tasting from owners vineyard

Please contact us for a quote grille midi selfcatering rental property in Beaujolais France walking holiday    

More properties to follow

 

 

 

 

   
Travel Options

Travel Options


Flight Options

Transfers possible from Lyon airport

Easy jet: London Stanstead – Lyon

Bmi: Manchester – Lyon

British Airways: London Heathrow - Lyon

All major car hire firms available at Lyon St Exupery Airport & Lyon Part Dieu train station

By Train

Eurostar and the TGV provide a quick and relaxing journey from London to Lyon.
Transfers possible from Lyon St Exupery and Lyon Part Dieu.
www.eurostar.com

By Car

Once in France, the journey from Calais to the Lyon area takes about 7-8 hours (excluding long breaks). Tolls amount to about 30 euros each way. Controlled parking is available at the airport for 50 euros. Channel crossings are provided by the following companies: P & O Ferries, DFDS Ferries, Eurotunnel

 

 

Photos

Photos


Oingt village in the Beaujolais hills of France self catering independent walking holiday
Walking through beaujolais vines in France self catering holiday rental
Oingt village in the Beaujolais hills of France self catering independent walking holiday
Village of Moiré in southern Beaujolais in French vines for this walking holiday with rental accommodation
Independent walking holiday in the Beaujolais, France with picture of hills
Village of Jarnioux in Beaujolais, central France - self catering walking holiday
views whilst walking through vines near Perreon in the Beaujolais hills of France - self catering rental accommodation
self catering walking holiday, view from Croix de Rochefort in high Beaujolais hills of France
picture of St Laurent in Beajolais hills in France during self catering rental walking holiday