{"id":697,"count":1,"description":"","link":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/blog\/travel-france\/beaujolais","name":"Beaujolais wine region","slug":"beaujolais","taxonomy":"category","parent":695,"meta":{"winalist_lat":"45.9896","winalist_lng":"4.7186"},"acf":{"short_region_name":"Beaujolais","region_id":7,"h1":"Visit the Beaujolais Wine Region: The Complete Guide 2026","subtitle":"","term_author":18,"term_co_authors":[12],"term_published":"2025-11-27 17:01:29","term_last_updated":"2026-07-25 11:04:01","tldr_title":"The essentials for visiting the Beaujolais wine region","tldr_content":"<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Beaujolais in brief<\/strong>: a French wine region just <strong>north of Lyon<\/strong>, at the southern end of Burgundy.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>One grape<\/strong>: <strong>Gamay<\/strong> (for the reds, ~98% of production), plus a little <strong>Chardonnay<\/strong> for the rare <strong>Beaujolais Blanc<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Ideal stay<\/strong>: 2 days for the crus and a couple of villages, 3\u20134 days to combine with Lyon and the southern Pierres Dor\u00e9es (golden-stone) villages.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Must-sees<\/strong>: the 10 crus wine route, the Pierres Dor\u00e9es villages (Oingt, Bagnols), Mont Brouilly, Villefranche-sur-Sa\u00f4ne, the Hameau Duboeuf wine theme park, nearby Lyon.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Access<\/strong>: 45 min by car or train from Lyon, 2h by TGV from Paris to Lyon then local train, ~25 mi (40 km) north of Lyon.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Budget for two<\/strong>: $300\u2013$520 (\u20ac280\u2013480) for a comfortable weekend, $750\u2013$1,400 (\u20ac700\u20131,300) for a premium 3-day stay including Lyon dining.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","link_to_wl_landing_page":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/regions\/beaujolais","override_cta_in_quick_access":"Best Beaujolais Wine Tour to Book","intro":"If I had to name the most underrated wine region in France, it would be the Beaujolais. Having spent time in the region and in nearby Lyon, I'll say it plainly: for me, the granite hills of the <strong>Beaujolais wine region<\/strong> are as beautiful as Piedmont \u2014 rolling vineyards, golden-stone villages, and a quiet authenticity that the more famous regions have started to lose. And the wine? Vastly underestimated. The world still thinks of Beaujolais Nouveau, but the <strong>10 crus<\/strong> of the northern Beaujolais make some of the best-value, most age-worthy red wine in France.\r\n\r\nJust <strong>north of Lyon<\/strong> and at the southern tip of Burgundy, the Beaujolais is a single-grape region \u2014 <strong>Gamay<\/strong> \u2014 grown on <strong>granite and schist<\/strong> soils that give the wines their signature lift. With the Winalist team, we work with the growers and ch\u00e2teaux who are quietly turning Beaujolais into one of France's most exciting wine destinations. In this guide, we've put together everything you need to plan a trip: the crus, the villages, the best wineries, when to come, how to get there, and the addresses we actually recommend to friends.","best_hosts_title":"The vineyards and wineries to visit in Beaujolais","best_hosts_content":"The Beaujolais wine region counts around <strong>1,800 growers<\/strong> working the granite hills, from historic estates like <strong>Ch\u00e2teau des Jacques<\/strong> and <strong>Clos de la Roilette<\/strong> to small family domaines pouring great Gamay for \u20ac10 a tasting. The late <strong>Georges Duboeuf<\/strong> \u2014 the \"king of Beaujolais\" \u2014 put the region on the world map from his base in Roman\u00e8che-Thorins, where the <strong>Hameau Duboeuf<\/strong> wine theme park still draws visitors. Most winery visits last 1\u20132 hours and end with a tasting of 3 to 6 cuv\u00e9es. Expect $15\u2013$45 (\u20ac12\u201340) for a standard visit, more for a vertical tasting of age-worthy crus at a top ch\u00e2teau.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/regions\/beaujolais\">Book a Beaujolais wine tour<\/a>","things_to_do_content":"<h2>What to do in the Beaujolais wine region? Top 10 must-sees<\/h2>\r\nHere's our pick of the must-sees and best things to do across the Beaujolais wine region \u2014 a mix of crus, golden-stone villages, vineyards and Lyonnaise experiences we'd recommend to a friend.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>1. Drive the 10 crus wine route<\/h3>\r\nThe heart of any Beaujolais trip. The 10 crus \u2014 <strong>Morgon, Fleurie, Moulin-\u00e0-Vent, Brouilly, C\u00f4te de Brouilly, Chiroubles, R\u00e9gni\u00e9, Saint-Amour, Juli\u00e9nas, Ch\u00e9nas<\/strong> \u2014 are clustered in the northern half of the region, each a single named appellation on its own granite hill. <em>(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/blog\/travel-france\/beaujolais\/beaujolais-wine-route\">Read our Beaujolais wine route guide<\/a>)<\/em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>2. Taste Moulin-\u00e0-Vent \u2014 the \"king of Beaujolais\"<\/h3>\r\nThe most structured, age-worthy cru, named after a 15th-century windmill that still stands among the vines. Moulin-\u00e0-Vent wines have the structure and complexity to age up to 10 years \u2014 closer to red Burgundy than to simple Beaujolais. <strong>Ch\u00e2teau des Jacques<\/strong> is the reference estate.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>3. Climb Mont Brouilly<\/h3>\r\nThe volcanic hill at the southern end of the crus, topped by the Notre-Dame-aux-Raisins chapel. The climb gives you the best panorama in the Beaujolais \u2014 vineyards rolling in every direction, with the Alps visible on a clear day. Brouilly and C\u00f4te de Brouilly are the two crus on its slopes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>4. Wander the Pierres Dor\u00e9es (golden-stone) villages<\/h3>\r\nThe <strong>southern half of the region<\/strong> is known as the <em>Pays des Pierres Dor\u00e9es<\/em> \u2014 the land of golden stones. Villages like <strong>Oingt<\/strong> (one of <em>Les Plus Beaux Villages de France<\/em>), Bagnols, Ternand and Ch\u00e2tillon glow honey-gold in the afternoon sun. This is the Beaujolais that reminds me of Piedmont.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>5. Visit a Fleurie or Morgon domaine<\/h3>\r\n<strong>Fleurie<\/strong> is the most floral, elegant cru \u2014 \"the queen of Beaujolais\". <strong>Morgon<\/strong> is the most powerful, with its famous C\u00f4te du Py slope. Both are perfect for a tasting at a small grower, where the Gamay shows aromas of cherry and violet and a depth that surprises first-timers.\r\n<blockquote>\ud83d\udca1 <strong>Tip<\/strong>: to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/regions\/beaujolais\">book a winery visit in Beaujolais with tasting<\/a>, browse Winalist's selection of partner domaines across the 10 crus.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;<\/blockquote>\r\n<h3>6. Discover the Hameau Duboeuf<\/h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/media.winalist.com\/prod\/uploads\/X3Y7kHZTrhpS.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"6240\" height=\"4160\" \/>\r\n\r\nFrance's largest wine theme park, in Roman\u00e8che-Thorins. A fun, family-friendly journey through the history of Beaujolais and winemaking \u2014 train carriages, gardens, a cinema and tastings. Created by Georges Duboeuf, the man who made Beaujolais Nouveau a global phenomenon.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>7. Celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau (third Thursday of November)<\/h3>\r\nThe most famous wine party in the world. On the <strong>third Thursday of November<\/strong>, the year's Beaujolais Nouveau is released at midnight \u2014 <em>\"Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arriv\u00e9!\"<\/em> \u2014 and the whole region celebrates. If you visit in November, the villages are alive with tastings, music and feasts.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>8. Eat in a bouchon Lyonnais<\/h3>\r\nThe Beaujolais is Lyon's backyard, and the gateway to the world's best <strong>bistros<\/strong>. Andouillette, coq au vin, quenelles, charcuterie and Saint-Marcellin cheese \u2014 all designed to pair with a chilled glass of cru Beaujolais. Many growers keep a table for visitors.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>9. Explore Villefranche-sur-Sa\u00f4ne and Beaujeu<\/h3>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Villefranche-sur-Sa\u00f4ne<\/strong> is the modern capital of the Beaujolais, with a handsome Renaissance main street. <strong>Beaujeu<\/strong>, the historic capital that gave the region its name, hosts the <em>Sarmentelles<\/em> \u2014 the biggest Beaujolais Nouveau festival, five days of celebration.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>10. Combine with a day in Lyon<\/h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone wp-image-27206 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.winalist.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/01105940\/AdobeStock_331419743-1500x999.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"511\" \/>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFrance's gastronomic capital is just <strong>45 minutes south<\/strong>. A Beaujolais trip pairs perfectly with a day in Lyon \u2014 the Renaissance old town, the <em>traboules<\/em>, the Fourvi\u00e8re basilica, and of course the food. Many travellers base themselves in Lyon and day-trip into the vineyards.","title_for_cities_in_the_wine_region":"The towns and villages to visit in Beaujolais","text_for_cities_in_the_wine_region":"The Beaujolais is a region of small towns and villages rather than big cities: <strong>Villefranche-sur-Sa\u00f4ne<\/strong>, the modern capital on the Sa\u00f4ne river; <strong>Beaujeu<\/strong>, the historic capital that gave the region its name; <strong>Oingt<\/strong>, the golden-stone village classified among <em>Les Plus Beaux Villages de France<\/em>; and the cru villages of <strong>Fleurie, Morgon, Juli\u00e9nas and Saint-Amour<\/strong>. Just south, <strong>Lyon<\/strong> \u2014 France's gastronomic capital \u2014 is the natural gateway to the region. Each deserves its own visit.","villages_content":"","title_itineraries":"Our itineraries for visiting the Beaujolais wine region","text_itineraries":"Depending on how much time you have, several itineraries work well: a <strong>day trip from Lyon<\/strong> to the 10 crus; a <strong>2-day weekend<\/strong> combining the crus in the north with the Pierres Dor\u00e9es villages in the south; a <strong>3\u20134 day stay<\/strong> adding Lyon and its bouchons; or a visit timed for the <strong>third Thursday of November<\/strong> to experience Beaujolais Nouveau at its source.","when_visit":"<strong>Spring (April\u2013June)<\/strong>\r\n\r\nMild weather, vines waking up, fewer visitors. A lovely time to drive the crus route and walk the golden-stone villages without crowds.\r\n\r\n<strong>Summer (July\u2013August)<\/strong>\r\n\r\nWarm and lively, with long evenings perfect for terrace tastings. The granite hills can get hot at midday \u2014 start early. Many growers run summer open days and vineyard picnics.\r\n\r\n<strong>Harvest (September)<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe most atmospheric time. Unlike most of France, Beaujolais is hand-harvested by law \u2014 so the <strong>grapes are harvested<\/strong> by teams of pickers across the hills in September, a beautiful sight. Expect a buzzing, busy region.\r\n\r\n<strong>Beaujolais Nouveau (November)<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe region's signature moment. On the <strong>third Thursday of November<\/strong>, the new vintage is released at midnight and the whole Beaujolais celebrates \u2014 the <em>Sarmentelles<\/em> in Beaujeu run for five days. A unique time to visit.\r\n\r\n<strong>Winter (December\u2013March)<\/strong>\r\n\r\nQuietest season. Some small domaines close in deep winter, but the bigger ch\u00e2teaux and Lyon's restaurants run year-round.","how_visit":"<strong>By train + car (recommended)<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>TGV Paris Gare de Lyon \u2192 <strong>Lyon<\/strong> in 2h, then 45 min by car north to the crus<\/li>\r\n \t<li>TGV Paris \u2192 <strong>M\u00e2con-Loch\u00e9 TGV<\/strong> in 1h45, then 30 min by car south to the crus<\/li>\r\n \t<li>TER regional Lyon \u2192 <strong>Villefranche-sur-Sa\u00f4ne<\/strong> in 20 min<\/li>\r\n \t<li>TER regional Lyon \u2192 <strong>Belleville-en-Beaujolais<\/strong> (gateway to the crus) in 30 min<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>By plane<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Lyon-Saint-Exup\u00e9ry airport (LYS)<\/strong> is the closest international hub, ~1h from the crus by car<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Geneva and Paris airports are alternatives for international travellers<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>By car<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Lyon \u2192 the crus (Brouilly): ~30 mi (50 km), 45 min via the A6<\/li>\r\n \t<li>M\u00e2con \u2192 Saint-Amour: ~12 mi (20 km), 20 min<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Villefranche-sur-Sa\u00f4ne \u2192 Fleurie: ~20 mi (32 km), 35 min<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Getting around<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Car<\/strong>: essential to explore the crus and the Pierres Dor\u00e9es villages \u2014 most domaines are not served by public transport.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Bike<\/strong>: the granite hills are a favourite for cyclists, with marked vineyard routes between the crus.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Guided tours with driver<\/strong>: many Winalist partners offer half-day and full-day Beaujolais tours from Lyon with transport included \u2014 the easiest way to taste freely.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","hotels_visit":"<strong>Charm and luxury<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Ch\u00e2teau de Bagnols<\/strong> (Bagnols): a spectacular 5-star Relais &amp; Ch\u00e2teaux in a restored medieval ch\u00e2teau in the Pierres Dor\u00e9es, with a Michelin-starred restaurant.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Ch\u00e2teau de Pizay<\/strong> (Saint-Jean-d'Ardi\u00e8res): 4-star ch\u00e2teau hotel with its own vineyard and spa, in the heart of the crus.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Les Maritonnes Parc &amp; Vignoble<\/strong> (Roman\u00e8che-Thorins): charming hotel next to the Hameau Duboeuf, surrounded by Moulin-\u00e0-Vent vines.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Wine-country guesthouses<\/strong>\r\n\r\nAcross Fleurie, Morgon, Juli\u00e9nas and the Pierres Dor\u00e9es villages: many <em>chambres d'h\u00f4tes<\/em> run by winemaker families, often with a tasting of their own cuv\u00e9es at breakfast. Expect $90\u2013$160 (\u20ac85\u2013150) per night with breakfast \u2014 the most authentic way to stay in the wine region.\r\n\r\n<strong>For a different kind of Beaujolais experience<\/strong>\r\n\r\nVineyard cabins, golden-stone g\u00eetes in the Pierres Dor\u00e9es, and the option of basing yourself in <strong>Lyon<\/strong> for city comfort with the vineyards a short drive away. Plenty of options for trips with family or friends.","display_map":true,"map_title":"","map_widget_link":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/affiliate\/widget?partner=14&type=map&lat=46.1134349&lng=4.7263863&location=Beaujolais,%20France","other_images_for_term":"","title_faq":"Good to know before visiting Beaujolais","text_before_faq":"","acf-repeater-faq":[{"faq_question":"Where is the Beaujolais wine region in France?","faq_answer":"The Beaujolais wine region is in eastern France, just north of Lyon and at the southern end of Burgundy. It stretches across ~35,000 acres (14,000 hectares) of granite and schist hills between the Sa\u00f4ne valley and the Monts du Beaujolais, about 45 minutes by car from Lyon."},{"faq_question":"What is Beaujolais wine?","faq_answer":"Beaujolais is a French wine made almost entirely from a single red grape, Gamay, grown on granite soils. Most is light-bodied and fruity, often made by carbonic maceration for a fresh style, but the 10 crus in the north produce more structured, age-worthy wines that drink like red Burgundy. The region also makes a little white Beaujolais Blanc from Chardonnay."},{"faq_question":"What are the 10 crus of Beaujolais?","faq_answer":"The 10 crus are the top appellations of the region, each on its own granite hill in the northern half: Brouilly, C\u00f4te de Brouilly, R\u00e9gni\u00e9, Morgon, Chiroubles, Fleurie, Moulin-\u00e0-Vent, Ch\u00e9nas, Juli\u00e9nas and Saint-Amour. Moulin-\u00e0-Vent (\"the king\") and Morgon are the most structured and age-worthy; Fleurie (\"the queen\") is the most floral; Saint-Amour is the northernmost.\r\n"},{"faq_question":"What is the difference between Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau?","faq_answer":"Beaujolais Nouveau is a young wine released just weeks after harvest, on the third Thursday of November \u2014 fresh, fruity and meant to drink immediately. It's only a fraction of the region's output. The serious wines are the 10 crus and Beaujolais-Villages, which are aged and can develop for years.\r\n"},{"faq_question":"What to do in the Beaujolais in 2 days?","faq_answer":"Day 1: drive the 10 crus route in the north \u2014 Brouilly, Morgon, Fleurie, Moulin-\u00e0-Vent \u2014 with two or three tastings and a climb up Mont Brouilly. Day 2: explore the golden-stone Pierres Dor\u00e9es villages in the south (Oingt, Bagnols), then finish with dinner in a Lyonnaise bouchon.\r\n"},{"faq_question":"Is Beaujolais part of Burgundy?","faq_answer":"Geographically and administratively the Beaujolais sits at the southern end of Burgundy, and historically it has been linked to it. But its single grape (Gamay, not Pinot Noir), its granite soils and its own 12 appellations give it a distinct identity. Most wine authorities treat Beaujolais as a region in its own right, apart from Burgundy.\r\n"},{"faq_question":"When is the best time to visit Beaujolais?","faq_answer":"April to October is ideal for the vineyards and golden-stone villages, with September (the hand-harvest) the most atmospheric. Mid-November is unique for the Beaujolais Nouveau celebrations. Pair any visit with Lyon, just 45 minutes south.\r\n"},{"faq_question":"How do you get to Beaujolais from Lyon?","faq_answer":"Lyon is the natural gateway: the crus are about 45 minutes north by car via the A6. By train, TER regional services run from Lyon to Villefranche-sur-Sa\u00f4ne (20 min) and Belleville-en-Beaujolais (30 min). From Paris, take the TGV to Lyon (2h) or to M\u00e2con-Loch\u00e9 (1h45), then a short drive into the vines."}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories\/697","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/taxonomies\/category"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories\/695"}],"acf:user":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"wp:post_type":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts?categories=697"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}