Walking Holidays
France

Southern Beaujolais

This independent walking holiday takes place in the Beaujolais region of France, located to the northwest 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 several 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 have 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 French walking holiday covers a circular tour around the heart of this golden stones area, visiting many 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, unspoiled trails.

Holiday Profile

7 nights/8 days: 6 days independent walking moving between guest houses

Dates

Every day of week subject to availability from 1 April to 31 October

Walking Profile & Grade

This self-guided or independent walking holiday in France is made up of 6 walks moving between guest houses. The walks average about 16km with limited ascents and descents although some paths can be rough and stoney in places with the odd steeper section. The average daily ascent is 390m. The walking days are reasonably consistent in terms of their grade.

This walking holiday is graded moderate. You should have some experience of day walking and be in reasonable health. See more information about walking grades.

Accommodation & Meals

7 nights in small and comfortable guest houses with ensuite accommodation, some on vineyards with plenty of local character. Full board with the exception of one night - all breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, and 6 evening meals included in the price.

When to Travel

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.

Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps

Most of this walking holiday follows local trails waymarked in yellow. There are also a number of other waymarkings including red and yellow of the tour of the golden stones region of the Beaujolais. 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 trail is highlighted on the maps.

Luggage Transfers

On this walking holiday, your main luggage is transferred between guest houses so you only have to carry a day rucksack with picnic lunch (supplied by the guest houses and included in the holiday price), water and spare clothes, waterproofs, camera etc. On this holiday your guest houses are responsible for transporting your main luggage, so if you have any specific requests such as a lift to the next guest house then you can speak with the guest house where you are staying. Please limit the weight of your bags where possible to 20kg. We only use hotels and small guest houses in historic buildings and some of the rooms are accessible by stairs.

Travel Info

Transfers between Lyon Airport or train station and the Beaujolais region of France are included in the price of your independent walking holiday. Pick-ups are generally between 2 and 5 pm. Please contact us if you require pick up at at different time. We can also pick you up from a hotel if you are staying in Lyon before your walking holiday.

Train: Eurostar and the TGV provide a relaxing journey from London Lyon Part Dieu. There are direct Eurostar trains from London on certain days of the week. Otherwise Eurostar trains go via Lille or Paris. In Paris you need to change station (2 stops on the RER).

Flights: The airlines Easy jet, and British Airways have scheduled flights from the UK - Luton, Edinburgh, Birmingham, London Heathrow and Gatwick - to Lyon St Exupery airport.

Note: Please check concerning the availability of a walking holiday before booking any flights or trains. 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.

Self Drive

Channel ferry crossings from Dover are provided by a number of operators including P&O Ferries & DFDS seaways. Crossings are also provided by train with Eurotunnel.

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 at your first guest house. We can provide you with a transfer to collect your car at the end of your walking holiday.

Further Information & Advice

For useful advice about independent walking and preparing for your self-guided holiday please take a look at our blog top tips articles. 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.  Please contact us if you need any further information.

Travel Insurance

All customers booking with High Point Holidays are required to have suitable travel insurance to include cover suitable for the activity as well as emergency evacuation and medical treatment. You are required to accept our terms and conditions as part of your booking.

7 nights / 6 days walking between guest houses

• From €1395 
• Prices are per person and based on 2 sharing a room
• Please contact us for single supplements