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BEAUJOLAIS MEDIEVAL VILLAGES TOUR

Highlights

Historic villages made from warm golden limestone including Oingt classed as one of the prettiest villages in France. Varied walking through vines, pastures, and forests.

Destinations

France

Budget

From $250 per person

All highlights

Southern Beaujolais . This independent walking holiday takes place in the Beaujolais region of France, located to the northwest of Lyon, which is made up of a series of rolling hills getting progressively higher as you go north and summiting around 1000m above sea level. Despite the relatively gentle nature of their slopes, the scale of the peaks and the depths of the valleys create a landscape of great panoramas and rich contrasts. The character of the hills changes with altitude as the vines give way to forests and pastures on the higher slopes. Made up of about 40 parishes in the South of the Beaujolais region, the area known as the “Golden Stones” (Pierre dorées), is so called due to the colour of the limestone used in its historic buildings. Here, your walking holiday will pass through several remarkable villages with some of the prettiest villages in France perched on hilly promontories. Wherever you look, you’ll find fortified remains, chateaux, or churches adorning the vine-covered slopes. The scale and gentleness of the slopes have created a sumptuous landscape of interlocking hills receding to the horizon, that literally leaves you with the impression of flying over the hills. This picturesque wine-growing area is often referred to as the local Tuscany due to the similarities in their expansive landscapes. Your French walking holiday covers a circular tour around the heart of this golden stones area, visiting many picturesque and well-preserved villages.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome, transfer from Lyon to Beaujolais region and settle in to your first guest house.. .

Day 2: Moire - Cogny

The first day of your independent walking holiday starts by climbing onto a ridgeline which gives you 360° views over the Golden Stones region, the Beaujolais, the Azergues Valley, and on clear days of the entire Alpine chain. The ridgeline will lead you to the quaint medieval village of Theizé with it's 13th-century chateau de Rochebonne and its historic limestone houses centred around a pretty square. After lunch, you take a path that contours beneath the higher hills crossing secluded valleys to the village of Cogny.. 16km, +400m . .

Day 3: Cogny - Pommiers

From Cogny your trail passes through vines to reach the beautiful limestone village of Jarnioux with its amazing towered chateau (possibility to visit chateau). Your walking trail then climbs to Pommiers, a great location on a ridgeline separating the Soane Valley from the Beaujolais. Your guest house is located in a secluded and beautiful spot.. 12 - 15km, +360m .

Day 4: Pommiers - Châtillon d'Azergues

Today's route is a gentle day, as the path gently climbs through vines, pasture, and forest to the historic ridge-top villages of Marcy, with its ancient telecommunications tower, and Charnay, with its narrow streets lined with charming historic properties. From here the walking trail descends to the beautiful fortified village of Châtillon d'Azergues with its historic chateau and chapel.. 14km or 17km, +200m . .

Day 5: Chatillon - St Verand

This is the longest walking day on this Beaujolais tour and starts with a visit of Chatillon, including the 12th-century chapel, before climbing out along a ridge to reach the historic village of Bagnols with its impressive chateau, historic dwellings, and great views of the Mont Lyonnais. The walking trail then follows a former railway line making for a gentle descent to the village of Bois d'Oingt before traversing the forest of Flachere to reach your next guest house on an organic farm.. 20km, +340m . .

Day 6: St Verand - Letra

An easier day takes you along a ridge offering great panoramic views of the hilltop villages on the opposite side of the valley, before descending to the small and quaint historic centre at Ternand, once an important fortified outpost for the Lords of Lyon. After crossing the Azergues Valley, the route climbs to the village of Letra before reaching your charming guest house.. 13km, +360m . .

Day 7: Letra - Moire

A great walk to finish your walking holiday in the Golden Stones region of the Beaujolais. You'll climb a secluded valley before reaching the pretty village of Ste Paule overlooking a deep vine-covered valley. You'll then follow the GR76 along a balcony trail with fantastic panoramic views. You'll reach 700m in altitude before a gentle descent and traverse brings you to the hill-top village of Oingt, classed as one of the prettiest villages in France. Here you can explore its narrow alleyways and admire the amazing views of the southern Beaujolais from its promenade. Descend to your guest house located on a vineyard in the pretty village of Moire.. 18km, +420m . .

Day 8: Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Lyon for onward journey. . Please note that the order of the days may change on this French walking holiday depending on guest house availability.

Prices

Price per person	2 pers	4 pers	6 pers	8 pers
Price per adult	$250	$180	$160	$150
Price per kid	$130	$90	$80	$80

Services

Included:

Airport and station transfers from Lyon
7 nights accommodation
FULL BOARD (except one night): All breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 6 evening meals
Full walking notes and maps
Transport of luggage between guest houses

Excluded:

Travel to and from Lyon, France
Lunches on your day of arrival and departure
Travel Insurance
Any entrance fees

Optional:

Extra Nights
City Breaks
Combining walking holidays
Tailor-made trips

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Pauline Mathieu

travel expert: France & Scotland

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