Beaujolais hotels

Follow the path of the Saône River through the Beaujolais department to explore mellow landscapes, sleepy villages and, most of all, the celebrated vineyards of this part of France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

But there’s certainly more to the area than Beaujolais Nouveau, the young batch of the local wine marketed as November’s drink of choice. Visit Beaujolais to explore the bustling town of Mâcon as well as the wine-producing villages along the Route de Beaujolais.

For wine lovers, it’s a route to take at your leisure, stopping at wine cellars along the way to buy directly from winemakers. Time your visit for September and you can watch the grapes being harvested against a backdrop of vivid autumnal colours.

Where to Stay in Beaujolais

Stay in a Beaujolais hotel in one of the attractive wine-producing villages such as Juliénas, which is surrounded by rolling hills. You could choose a stately country-house hotel in the middle of lush countryside where you can lounge by the outdoor pool and have a treatment in the spa. Or stay in a cosy hotel in the pretty town of Villefranche-sur-Saône, a short walk of the river.

Things to Do in Beaujolais

Even if you’re not following the Route de Beaujolais wine trail, there are plenty of things to do in the region. Explore the 16th-century architecture of Mâcon, which includes the ornate facade of the Maison du Bois Doré in the central market square of Place des Herbes. Stroll along the banks of the Saône River, which is lined with cafes and also has launching points for lazy cruises along the river.

From your hotel, explore the history of Beaujolais by visiting the many castles across the countryside, some of which are also on wine estates. Lose yourself among the romantic turrets of the 13th-century Château de Jarnioux, which has some lavish Renaissance renovations and additions.

Enjoy the great outdoors in Beaujolais, where you can tour the area on a network of cycling and hiking trails. Pack a picnic and spend the day swimming in the Plan d’Eau de Bordelan, a large lake near Villefranche-sur-Saône.

Where to Eat in Beaujolais

Where there’s wine there’s delicious food, as you’ll discover on the Route de Beaujolais. Tuck in to giant plates of charcuterie – pungent cured and smoked meats – along with rich cheeses. And don’t forget coq au vin, which in this region is cooked slowly with large quantities of Beaujolais wine. Head south and you reach Charolais country, home to one of France’s most prized cattle breeds.

Getting around Beaujolais

The closest airport to Beaujolais is south of the department in Lyon. The A6 motorway travels through the department, so it’s easy to get from the airport to the main towns in the region. France’s SNCF railway network connects the major towns of Mâcon and Villefranche-sur-Saône. Because it’s mainly rural it’s a scenic region to explore by car, and the roads are relatively tranquil.