Discover the Rhône: Beaujolais, wine and heritage

In Beaujolais, geological diversity, winegrowing and cultural heritage come together. The region received the UNESCO Global Geopark label in 2018; the distinction recognises its geological and landscape diversity and was renewed later. Beaujolais lies on the edge of the Massif Central, northwest of Lyon, with views towards the Alps. The landscape, nature and history offer a range of themes to help you plan a trip to the Rhône.

Geopark and landscape

The landscape is shaped by more than just views towards the Alps. In the Saône Valley, riparian woodland has been preserved along the riverbanks; the valley provides shelter and spawning grounds for fish. A 2012 survey recorded at least 1,300 wetlands in Beaujolais. This figure refers to that survey. Quarries are habitats too: they provide nesting walls for eagle owls, while underground quarries and mines shelter almost half of Europe’s cave-dwelling bat species. At Mont Brouilly, there is a geosite with information panels and a landscape observatory. The region’s natural features can thus be seen at waterways and wetlands as well as at geological sites.

Wine and cycling

The Beaujolais appellation extends across the northern part of the Rhône department and a southern edge of Saône-et-Loire; its area lies between the Saône and the Monts du Beaujolais. Beaujolais wines are made from the Gamay grape. Vines are grown on a variety of soils formed from granite, diorite, schist and fluvio-glacial deposits. This diversity of rocks and deposits gives winegrowing a tangible geological setting and complements the view of the landscape offered by the Geopark label.

There is practical guidance for cycling trips too: ten cycling loops run along the main route of the Voie Verte. The Voie Verte and its associated cycle paths are managed by the Rhône Department. You can take this number and responsibility into account when planning if cycling is one of the themes of your trip.

Culture and history in Oingt

Oingt offers a cultural highlight. The tower was built before 1183 as part of the second castle complex, where the lords of Oingt resided. The tower houses a museum spread over three floors. From the terrace, the view stretches over the Azergues Valley, Beaujolais, the Lyonnais, the Monts d’Or, the Alps and Bugey. History, exhibits and views are therefore brought together in one place.

The Ateliers d'Art de Oingt offer studio visits, classes and exhibitions. The Maison Commune is the oldest house in the village and houses an art gallery that can be visited free of charge during the season. It hosts exhibitions of paintings, sculpture, photography, pottery and installations; the exhibition programme may vary. Another museum is devoted to mechanical music, with serinettes, barrel organs, phonographs, music boxes, player pianos and automata on display. The instruments are in working order.

Plan your trip around the experiences you want to define it.

Discover more destinations: Tupin-Et-Semons, Le Perréon, Jullié, La Mulatière, Aigueperse, Limonest, Villié-Morgon, Blacé, Vourles, Grézieu-La-Varenne, Vauxrenard, Rillieux-La-Pape, Lantignié, Vaugneray, Vernay, Cours-La-Ville, Brullioles, Chénas, Vernaison, Gleize, Ampuis, Saint-Germain-Au-Mont-D'or, Ouroux, Légny, Arnas, Brignais, Saint-Laurent-D'oingt, Saint-Loup, Charly, Montagny, Ternay, Oullins, Les Halles, Quincié-En-Beaujolais, Saint-Genis-Les-Ollières, Denicé, Chazay-D'azergues, Taluyers, Mions, Saint-Georges-De-Reneins, Frontenas, Courzieu, Albigny-sur-Saône, Liergues, Salles-Arbuissonnas-En-Beaujolais, Saint-Didier-Sur-Beaujeu, Morancé, Émeringes, Bully, Chamelet, Saint-Symphorien-D'ozon, Châtillon, Sainte-Paule, Odenas, Charnay, Cercié, Ville-Sur-Jarnioux, Thizy, Taponas, Dième, Orliénas, Tarare, Poule-Les-Écharmeaux, Ranchal, Les Ardillats, Avenas, Saint-Pierre-La-Palud, Yzeron, Chaponost, Saint-Laurent-De-Chamousset, Saint-Lager, Caluire-Et-Cuire, Le Breuil, Lucenay, Jarnioux, Sarcey, Dardilly, Craponne, Corbas, Colombier-Saugnieu, Chassieu, Charbonnières-Les-Bains, Chaponnay, Bessenay, Pierre-Bénite, Marcilly-D'azergues, Lancié, Villeurbanne, Saint-Cyr-Au-Mont-D'or, Belleville-Sur-Saône, Mornant, Bron, Vaux-En-Beaujolais, Saint-Nizier-D'azergues, Sainte-Colombe, Beaujeu, Fleurie, Lyon, Régnié-Durette, Anse, Lissieu, Villefranche Sur Saône, Savigny, Vaulx-En-Velin, Tassin-La-Demi-Lune, Solaise, Sérézin-Du-Rhône, Saint-Priest, Saint-Laurent-De-Mure, Saint-Jean-Dʼardières, Saint-Genis-Laval, Sainte-Foy-Lès-Lyon, Saint-Bonnet-De-Mure, Saint-Apollinaire, Marcy-Lʼétoile, La Tour-De-Salvagny, Juliénas, Jons, Givors, Feyzin, Écully, Décines-Charpieu, Genay, Saint-Martin-en-Haut, Saint-Fons, Jonage, Saint-Germain-Nuelles, Couzon-au-Mont-d'Or, Dareizé, Pontcharra-sur-Turdine, Létra, Riverie, Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coise, Pont-Trambouze, Longes, Bibost, Montmelas-Saint-Sorlin, Thel, Saint-Étienne-Des-Oullières, Saint-Jean-Des-Vignes, Meyzieu, Collonges-Au-Mont-D'or, Saint-Sorlin, Chiroubles, Genas, L'arbresle, Corcelles-En-Beaujolais, Ambérieux, Sathonay-Camp, Marennes, Pollionnay, Limas, Haute-Rivoire, Millery, Les Sauvages, Saint-Clément-Sur-Valsonne, Saint-André-La-Côte, Joux, Lozanne, Amplepuis, Saint-Étienne-La-Varenne, Francheville, Saint-Vérand, Vénissieux, Neuville-Sur-Saône, Saint-Forgeux, Pommiers, Saint-Vincent-De-Reins, Charentay, Cogny, Le Bois-D'oingt, Theizé, Ternand, Chessy, Champagne-au-Mont-d'Or, Condrieu, Quincieux, Irigny, Chassagny, Saint-Bonnet-Le-Troncy, Montrottier, Grézieu-le-Marché, Saint-Didier-au-Mont-d'Or, Saint-Pierre-de-Chandieu, Dommartin, Lamure-sur-Azergues, Monsols, Soucieu-en-Jarrest, Fontaines-sur-Saône, Rontalon, Thurins, Civrieux-d'Azergues, Messimy

For the wider travel overview: Rhône-Alpes.