A one-week holiday which allows you to discover the best of the central and southern Beaujolais
Wine tasting at different vineyards across the Beaujolais.
In the south, historic villages and chateaux built from warm golden limestone including Oignt classified as one of the prettiest villages in France
Sweeping views across rolling Beaujolais countryside reminiscent of Tuscany
Guest houses in historic surroundings are perfectly located for a relaxed stay with moderate walking
Two centres allow you time to relax and the chance to adapt your walks to the weather
Transfer from Lyon to the Beaujolais and welcome at your hotel in Le Perreon.
This walk covers the full range of landscapes in the Beaujolais, with a climb from your accommodation up through the vineyards near Perreon within a picturesque, secluded valley. You'll then explore the pretty village of Vaux-en-Beaujolais before following a picturesque ridge as it climbs up through pasture to the forested tops. The ascent finishes on a ridge partly covered by protected moorland and pastures providing great panoramic views across the rolling hills.
Overnight: Perreon, Walk: 16km, +710m
Today you’ll have a short transfer to Beaujeu, the ancient capital of the Beaujolais. Explore the high Beaujolais hills for amazing panoramic views of upland pasture dotted with farms and historic villages such as Avenas with its rustic stone cottages and beautiful 11th-century church, where time seems to have stopped still. Expansive views from Croix Rochefort across the whole of the Beaujolais and beyond towards the French Alps.
Overnight: Perreon, Walk: 15.5km, +620m
From your hotel, head south onto vine-covered slopes and open ridges with great panoramic views of both the Saone towards the Alps and the higher Beaujolais hills. Your walk takes you through the historic villages of Salles-Arbuissonnas with its old Clunisian Priory. Then head onto the higher ridges and reach the Chapel of St Bonnet with outstanding views. This is followed by a traverse through a forest before plunging back to the main valley.
Overnight: Perreon, Walk: 21km, +760m
Transfer to your second guest house in the southern Beaujolais. A walk through the beautiful historic villages of the southern Beaujolais in the region of the “Golden Stones”, including the hilltop village of Oingt (classed as one of the most beautiful villages in France), Theize with its elegant buildings, and the local centre of Bois d'Oingt. Expansive landscapes reminiscent of the Tuscany hills span out in all directions.
Overnight: Pommiers, Walk: 15.5km, +450m.
From your guest house, this walk takes in 4 wonderful historic golden stones villages including Chatillon d’Azergues which climbs the slopes above the Azergues Valley, the rustic village of Charnay which sits on a ridgetop with great views and Bagnols with its imposing chateau. Your walking trail includes an enjoyable pleasant stroll along the banks of the Azergues River.
Overnight: Pommiers, Walk: 22km, +350m
Starting from the ridgetop village of St Cry le Chatoux this is a walk where the landscape unveils itself gradually over the course of the walk with wonderful panoramic views from the summits. A trail in the forest is followed by a lovely traverse to reach Col du Chatoux. Climb to a first summit for wonderful views across the Beaujolais and then over a second hilltop at nearly 900m.
Overnight: Pommiers, Walk: 14km, +525m
After breakfast transfer from your guest house to Lyon.
Please note that the walks may vary slightly depending on the availability of accommodation at the time of booking
Self-Guided
Distance: 14-22km per day
Ascent: 350-760m per day
Small B&Bs & guest houses
FULL BOARD
Beaujolais Wine Trail: Grand Crus
Beaujolais Medieval Villages Tour
This self-guided walking holiday in France lets you explore the Beaujolais at your own pace, whilst relaxing at wonderful guest houses. You’ll stay in two bases, one in the southern Beaujolais region of “Golden stones country” (pierres dorées) of Beaujolais, so-called due to the warm colour of the limestone which makes up a number of remarkable historic villages that are set in a sumptuous landscape of interlocking hills covered in vines. Made up of about 40 parishes, this picturesque wine-growing area, is often referred to as the French Tuscany. Your second base is in central Beaujolais where you'll enjoy higher hills with open ridges with great panoramic views and secluded valleys covered in a patchwork of grazing fields.
7 nights/8 days: 6 days independent centre-based walking
Everyday of week subject to availability from 1 April to 31 October
This walking holiday is in the moderate to challenging grade, although the walking is never challenging. The days range from about 14km to 22km in length and have daily ascents ranging from 350m to 760m. The paths are generally good, although they vary greatly in character. Some sections of the trail are rough and stony in places with the odd steeper section. This holiday includes parts of the trails used in parts of our other independent walks in the Beaujolais. This holiday is flexible so that you can walk as much or as little as you wish.
This walking holiday is graded moderate to challenging. You should have some experience of day walking in the hills and be in reasonable health. See more information about walking grades.
You will stay in two high-quality guest houses/hotels located in historic buildings offering very different styles. Both the guest houses offer great French cuisine. A great mix of comfort and authenticity.
Our self-guided walking tour of the Beaujolais is available from the beginning of April to the end of October. From April to October the Beaujolais is generally warm, although it can be hot during the months of July and August. However, relative humidity is often low (except during unstable thundery weather.) Ideal walking temperatures (ie late teens to the low twenties centigrade) are generally experienced from late April to early June and from mid-September to mid-October. Rainfall becomes more and more sporadic and linked to thunderstorms as you move from spring to summer, and this continues into the Autumn. On average there is rain on one in every three days, but this is often for relatively short periods. Autumn is often characterised by warm sunny days. Sunshine totals are characteristic of its southerly position in France and the sun's strength means that you must protect yourself against the sun even on overcast days.
Other things to consider are the fact that the leaves are often not the trees or the vines until at least mid-April. The grape picking season is often during the first couple of weeks of September and although this provides added activity to the countryside, it also means that some of our first choice guest houses are not available. In October the Beaujolais takes on a different character with autumn colours.
Most of this walking holiday follows local trails waymarked in yellow. There are also a number of other waymarkings including the red and white of the GR76, a long-distance trail that follows some of the ridgelines in the Beaujolais. You'll follow this trail for small parts of your walks on three of the days. With the exception of your walk on day 3, there is a fairly dense network of signposts with place names and directions. The walking follows clear paths, tracks, and minor roads for its entire duration. Our walking notes are very detailed (more information here) and include intermediate distances for sections of the trail. They also include information about the sites which can be explored along the route. We supply one walking guide per person on this holiday. As well as the detailed walking notes we supply official walking maps produced by IGN at a scale of 1:25,000. Your walking trails are highlighted on the maps.
On this walking holiday, you'll be provided with transfers to some of the walks, whilst on other days your walking circuit leaves directly from your accommodation. You'll also be provided with a transfer between your two guest houses along with your main luggage. During your walk, you only have to carry a day rucksack with a picnic lunch (supplied by the guest houses and included in the holiday price), water and spare clothes, waterproofs, a camera etc.
Pick-up and transfer from Lyon airport or train stations are included in the price of the walking holiday.
The airlines Easy jet, Flybe and British Airways have scheduled flights from the UK - Luton, Gatwick, Edingburgh and Heathrow - to Lyon St Exupery airport.
Eurostar and the TGV run trains from London to Lyon Part Dieu direct and change at Lille or Paris.
Cross-channel crossing are available with P&O and DFDS ferries, as well as Eurotunnel. Once in France, the journey from Calais to the Beaujolais area takes about 7 hours (excluding long breaks). Tolls amount to about 60 euros each way.
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 arrangements to Lyon, France on your behalf.
On this independent walking holiday you will stay in two or three charming guest houses full of local character. All rooms have private bathrooms. Examples of the guest houses used on the holiday are shown below. They are small, very comfortable guest houses or hotels where you'll be treated to some great Beaujolais hospitality.
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 delicious local delicacies and great wine.
Chateau des Loges is a 3 star hotel set in an 18th century chateau full of character located near the centre of Perreon. It has comfortable rooms, serves tasty traditional cuisine and is set in beautiful grounds with mature trees for shade to enjoy a glass of wine. Chateau des Loges is also a wine producer and you can request a tasting in their cellar. A warm welcome from your host Franck.
A charming B&B in a traditional stone house on the outskirts of the ridge-top village of Pommiers. There is a lovely courtyard and garden with swimming pool where you can relax after your day’s walk. Large rooms with independent access. Your host Veronique will look after you and serve you delicious meals.
Extra nights are possible at any of the stopovers during the holiday. We can provide you with additional walking notes in your guide book to be able to do more walks. However, not all the walks are accessible from the accommodation. If you are planning on doing several additional nights, then for additional flexibility and to avoid extra expense we would recommend having a car.
The nearby city of Lyon is a great destination for a city break and can be easily combined with this walking holiday, as you'll be picked up and dropped off in the city. Lyon, France’s second city and gastronomic capital, is a lively historic city ideal for those in search of lots to see and do. Classed as a world heritage site, Lyon has it all; Roman amphitheaters, medieval streets, renaissance architecture, and modern art. See more of our page dedicated to Lyon. We can book a city break for you and provide you with all the information you need for a great stay.
Please consult us for a price on any of the above options.
Our Beaujolais walking holidays can be combined with several of our other walking holidays in the Beaujolais and Burgundy area, all of which also include transfers to Lyon at the end of the walking holiday. Why not head south by train from Lyon and do one of our walking holidays in Provence such as our unique walking holiday crossing the Drome: Hilltop Villages of Drome Provencale.
If you want to learn more about the region's culture through tailor-made activities and visits, check out those trips that include a few days in the Beaujolais region. Contact us to add them to your hike.
French Valley of the Gastronomy Tour
A trip crafted for foodies and wine lovers to experience the world's finest gastronomy from Paris to Dijon, Lyon, Avignon, and Marseille.
The treasures of the Alps spanning Italy and France in Chamonix, Lyon, Turin - two countries, two cultures, one amazing experience.
The whole experience was great. Everything was well organised, different accommodation, good food and great walks.
Debbie S.
It was perfect, just what we wanted; beautiful scenery, amazing hosts, perfect french cuisine and solid walking.
Vicky G.