The Beaujolais wine region begins just 50 kilometres north of Lyon, straddling the granite hills between the Saône river valley and the Azergues valley in the Rhône and Ain departments. The area divides into two zones: the flatter southern Beaujolais Viticole producing lighter everyday wines, and the Beaujolais Crus — ten named villages including Morgon, Fleurie, Moulin-à-Vent, Juliénas, and Brouilly — where wines develop more complexity and aging potential from the granitic and schist soils.
A day trip from Lyon most efficiently begins with the TER train to Belleville-sur-Saône, the regional market hub, and continues by bicycle or hired car. The Via Rhôna cycle route (EuroVelo 17) runs parallel to the Saône and can be joined at Belleville for a flat route northward toward Thoissey, or cyclists can head westward into the Crus zone via the historic capital Beaujeu. Wine-focused visitors should plan at least two or three stops at independent domaines; the villages of Fleurie, Chiroubles, and Morgon all offer free tasting rooms (dégustation gratuite) at the local cave coopérative or individual producers.
A suggested morning arc: arrive Belleville by 09:30, cycle the Via Rhôna northward or hire a car heading west through Fleurie and Moulin-à-Vent. Lunch at a local bouchon in Belleville or Villefranche-sur-Saône typically runs €12–18 per person for a two-course meal, featuring classic Lyonnais dishes such as andouillette, saucisson brioché, and poulet à la crème.
During the Beaujolais Nouveau release on the third Thursday of November, the route comes alive with street festivals and tastings. Harvest season (late September to mid-October) allows visitors to watch mechanical and hand picking at many estates. Most cave coopératives are open for walk-in tastings Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:00 throughout the summer.
How to get there
- Train: Lyon Part-Dieu → Belleville-sur-Saône (50 min; €8.40 / approx USD 9 one-way)
- Car: Lyon → Belleville-sur-Saône via A6 motorway (45 min; toll approx €3 / approx USD 3)
- Cycling: The Via Rhôna cycle route follows the Saône river and connects Lyon to Beaujolais villages (50km one-way; e-bike hire available in Lyon)
Location
Belleville-sur-Saône, 69220
46.1127, 4.7564 View on map
Highlights
- Beaujolais Crus: ten named villages (Morgon, Fleurie, Moulin-à-Vent, Juliénas, Brouilly) producing the region's most distinctive Gamay wines
- Cave coopérative tastings: free or low-cost dégustation at village cooperatives throughout the Crus zone
- Via Rhôna cycle route: flat EuroVelo 17 path following the Saône northward through vineyards from Belleville-sur-Saône
- Beaujolais Nouveau release: annual street festival on the third Thursday of November, centred on Beaujeu and Villefranche-sur-Saône
- Historic village of Beaujeu: former capital of Beaujolais with a Romanesque church and wine museum in the old town
Tips for visiting
- Driving is far more flexible than the train for visiting multiple domaines in the Crus zone; designate a non-drinking driver or join an organised tour if the group intends to taste seriously
- Independent domaines in Fleurie and Morgon generally accept walk-in visitors but hours vary; call ahead to confirm tasting availability (typically 09:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:00)
- The Beaujolais wine route is well signposted as the Route des Vins du Beaujolais; follow the green signs from the D43 between Villefranche-sur-Saône and Beaujeu
- Avoid driving the narrow Crus village roads on the third Thursday of November Beaujolais Nouveau release day — traffic is very heavy; take the train to Belleville instead
- Many village cooperatives (especially in Juliénas and Saint-Amour) offer bottles at cellar-door prices below retail; carry a cool bag for purchases
When to visit
May to October for cycling and domaine visits; late September to early October for harvest season; the third Thursday of November for the Beaujolais Nouveau release festival.
Accessibility
Village centres in the Crus zone have uneven cobbled surfaces; most cave coopérative tasting rooms are at ground level and accessible. The Via Rhôna cycle path is fully flat and paved, suitable for mobility aids and adapted cycles.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Beaujolais Crus and where can visitors taste them?
The Beaujolais Crus are ten named communes — Moulin-à-Vent, Morgon, Fleurie, Brouilly, Côte de Brouilly, Juliénas, Saint-Amour, Chiroubles, Régnié, and Chénas — where Gamay wines achieve greater complexity. Each village has a cave coopérative offering free or low-cost tastings.
Is it easy to visit Beaujolais without a car?
The train to Belleville-sur-Saône (50 min from Lyon) provides a base, but visiting the Crus villages without a car requires cycling (15–30 km into the hills) or joining an organised tour from Lyon or Belleville.
When is Beaujolais Nouveau released?
Beaujolais Nouveau is released on the third Thursday of November each year. Festivals take place across the region and in Lyon from midnight; Beaujeu hosts the official Sarmentelles festival.
How much does a domaine wine tasting cost?
Most cave coopératives offer tastings free or for a nominal fee of €2–5, often refunded on purchase. Independent domaine tastings vary; some charge €5–15 for guided flights of three to five wines.