Lyon sits at the edge of one of France’s friendliest wine regions, and the easiest way to taste it without a designated driver is a small-group half-day tour. This one heads north-west of the city into the Pierres Dorées, the Golden Stones district of southern Beaujolais, named for the warm yellow limestone that glows ochre in the afternoon light and has been used to build every farmhouse, wall and church tower in the villages. The red wines here are made from the Gamay grape, lighter and fruitier than the heavier reds of the Rhône, and the whites are Chardonnay. The tour is built around two villages, Oingt, a hilltop village often counted among the prettiest in France, and Le Bois-d’Oingt, with time at each, plus visits to two family-run estates where the people pouring the wine are the people who made it. Expect three to five tastings at each stop, local charcuterie served alongside, and a guide who explains how the crus differ and why Beaujolais has more to offer than the famous young wine released each November. It departs from and returns to the tourism office on Place Bellecour in central Lyon, so there is no need to organise your own transport. The trip takes about four hours in all, is run in small groups, and includes lunch, the tastings and air-conditioned transport.
How to book and join
Reserve a date in advance, since small-group tours have limited seats, and be at the Place Bellecour tourism office a few minutes before departure. Wear comfortable shoes for the cobbled village lanes, and bring a light layer because the cellars are cool even in summer. Tastings are measured pours rather than full glasses, so nobody needs to worry about the return journey, but eat a proper breakfast anyway.
What to expect
The pace is relaxed, with roughly two hours in each village rather than a rushed series of stops. You walk Oingt’s steep lanes and viewpoints, visit a cellar, taste, chat with the producer, and then repeat in a second village with a different family and different wines. Lunch is part of the experience, and the charcuterie and local cheeses are a good introduction to the food culture that makes the region so close to Lyon’s own bouchons.
Seasons and tips
The vines are bare and brown in winter, green from spring, and heavy with fruit before the harvest in early autumn, when the hillsides are at their most photogenic and cellars are busiest. Beaujolais Nouveau arrives on the third Thursday of November, a good time to compare it with the serious crus.
Families with teenagers are usually welcome, but this is an adult-focused outing. If you want more days in wine country, the Rhône vineyards south of Lyon and the Burgundy borders are further options, though they need a full day rather than a half.
Why it works for Lyon visitors
Beaujolais is close enough that you can taste at the source and still be back for an evening in the city, which is rare for a serious wine region. The Golden Stones area is also one of the more scenic corners, with views from hilltop villages across vineyards to the Monts du Lyonnais, and the dry-stone walls, lavoirs and church towers reward a camera.
Because the tour is small-group, you can ask questions about grape growing, the difference between village wines and the ten named crus, and how Gamay is made, without feeling rushed. Wines can be bought at the estates if you want to take a bottle home, though remember airline liquid limits and customs rules.
What to expect
The experience
A guided half-day trip by air-conditioned vehicle from central Lyon to the Golden Stones villages of southern Beaujolais, with winery visits, tastings and lunch.
Best time
Spring to autumn for green vines and village terraces; early autumn for harvest atmosphere.
How long
About four hours, leaving from and returning to Place Bellecour.
Tips
Eat breakfast, wear walking shoes for cobbled lanes and bring a light layer for cool cellars.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Wine and food lovers who want a taste of Beaujolais without driving.
- Families
- Better for adults and older teenagers; there is little for young children to do.
- Couples
- A relaxed afternoon of hilltop villages, tastings and lunch, easy to fit between city days.
- Pair with
- An evening bouchon dinner in Vieux Lyon or a morning at Les Halles Paul Bocuse the next day.
- Time needed
- A half day.
Good questions
Where does the Beaujolais tour start and finish?+
It departs from and returns to the tourism office on Place Bellecour in central Lyon, so you can walk or take the metro to the meeting point.
How long is the tour?+
About four hours in total, including travel, two village visits, tastings at two family estates and lunch.
What grapes are grown in the Golden Stones area?+
Red wines are made from Gamay and whites from Chardonnay. The area is named for the honey-coloured limestone used to build its villages.
Is lunch included?+
Yes, lunch, the tastings and transport are included in the tour. Tasting pours are small, so you can enjoy the wines without feeling overwhelmed.
When is the best time to go?+
Spring and early autumn are the prettiest, with green vines or harvest activity. Winter works too if you mostly want cellars, food and a quieter countryside.
