Golden-stone lanes and grape-scented hilltops: an afternoon in Beaujolais

LYON SIGHTSEEING TOUR FIELD GUIDE

Golden-stone lanes and grape-scented hilltops: an afternoon in Beaujolais

A private 4-hour outing from Lyon that takes you into the Golden Stones of southern Beaujolais for vineyard walks, a family winery tasting of five AOC Beaujolais wines and a visit to the hilltop village of Oingt.

Golden-stone lanes and grape-scented hilltops: an afternoon in Beaujolais.

Duration
4h
Location
Lyon
Operator
New Generation Guide
Category
Sightseeing Tour
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

Just thirty minutes from Lyon, the southern Beaujolais—known as the Golden Stones area—feels uncannily like a corner of Tuscany: sun-warm hills threaded by scenic roads, vineyards that slope into medieval villages built from the region’s vivid orange stone, and winemaking traditions passed through families for generations. This private four-hour excursion centers on slow, sensory pleasures: vineyard walks, an intimate meeting with a dedicated winemaker, and a winery tasting of five AOC Beaujolais wines before a final stroll through Oingt, listed among France’s most beautiful villages.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

Golden-stone hillscapes and vineyard roads
THE LANDSCAPE

Golden-stone hillscapes and vineyard roads

The southern Beaujolais—often called the Golden Stones area—is defined by sunlit hills and winding roads bordered by vineyards and villages built of warm orange stone, giving the region a distinctly Tuscan mood close to Lyon.

Five AOC Beaujolais wines, tasted at a family winery
THE WINE

Five AOC Beaujolais wines, tasted at a family winery

The tour includes an in-winery tasting of five AOC Beaujolais wines and time to meet a winemaker whose craft and family traditions anchor the region’s terroir-driven approach.

Medieval hamlets and Oingt’s hilltop charm
THE VILLAGES

Medieval hamlets and Oingt’s hilltop charm

The route threads small medieval villages—Chatillon d’Azergues, Chessy les Mines, Bagnols—and culminates in Oingt, the area’s jewel and one of the ‘Plus Beaux Villages de France.’

What the day feels like

How the afternoon unfolds

Over four hours the tour moves out of Lyon into the rolling Beaujolais hills: scenic drives between medieval villages, short walks through vineyard plots, a visit to a family-run winery for a guided tasting of five AOC Beaujolais wines, and a leisurely exploration of Oingt’s sunlit streets and stone houses.

Golden-stone hillscapes and vineyard roads

THE LANDSCAPE

Golden-stone hillscapes and vineyard roads

The southern Beaujolais—often called the Golden Stones area—is defined by sunlit hills and winding roads bordered by vineyards and villages built of warm orange stone, giving the region a distinctly Tuscan mood close to Lyon.

Five AOC Beaujolais wines, tasted at a family winery

THE WINE

Five AOC Beaujolais wines, tasted at a family winery

The tour includes an in-winery tasting of five AOC Beaujolais wines and time to meet a winemaker whose craft and family traditions anchor the region’s terroir-driven approach.

Medieval hamlets and Oingt’s hilltop charm

THE VILLAGES

Medieval hamlets and Oingt’s hilltop charm

The route threads small medieval villages—Chatillon d’Azergues, Chessy les Mines, Bagnols—and culminates in Oingt, the area’s jewel and one of the ‘Plus Beaux Villages de France.’

Suitability

Who it's for

Who gets the most from this short Beaujolais immersion.

1
Wine loversIdeal for travelers who want a compact, guided tasting of regional Beaujolais styles and to meet a local winemaker.
2
Scenic-stroll seekersA good match for those who favor short vineyard walks, hilltop village streets and relaxed countryside scenery within easy reach of Lyon.
3
Short-on-time visitorsBecause the tour is four hours and departs from Lyon, it suits travelers seeking a condensed afternoon excursion rather than a full-day outing.
4
Travelers with limited mobilityThe itinerary involves uneven village streets and vineyard paths; check directly with the operator about accessibility and any mobility restrictions before booking.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Timing & Duration

The excursion is a private, four-hour outing from Lyon.

Meeting point

Meeting is arranged at your hotel for departure into the Beaujolais countryside.

What the operator specifies

No specific gear or packing requirements are listed in the provided operator materials; confirm recommendations with New Generation Guide when booking.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

How long is the Beaujolais Wine Tour?

The tour runs for four hours.

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is arranged at your hotel in Lyon.

How many wines will we taste?

The itinerary includes a tasting of five AOC Beaujolais wines at a winery.

How far is the Beaujolais region from Lyon?

The southern Beaujolais Golden Stones area is approximately thirty minutes from Lyon.

Which villages are visited on the route?

The circuit visits a sequence of medieval villages including Chatillon d’Azergues, Chessy les Mines, Bagnols and the hilltop village of Oingt.

Who operates the tour?

The tour is operated by New Generation Guide.