Beaujolais: Private Day Tour by Vintage Land Rover with Wine & Castles

Summary

Vintage Land Rover journeys through Beaujolais vineyards castles & wine tastings

You’ll ride vintage Land Rovers across Beaujolais hillsides, tasting wine with local growers and sharing laughter over cheese in hidden cellars. Expect lunch among the vines or at a cozy restaurant, visits to medieval castles and chapels, plus stories from guides who really know their region. It’s not just about wine—it’s about feeling part of this place for a day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Beaujolais castles and vineyards

• Board vintage Land Rover
• Visit feminine Beaujolais cru village
• See medieval church and hear vow story
• Explore lesser known cru with WW1 castle
• Drink wine in old church cellar
• View popular Beaujolais cru hill
• Have lunch in vineyard (barbecue or picnic)
• Visit 12th century chapel with hidden paintings
• Tour 5th century Cluny abbey
• See eccentric castle with unique story

Top questions

Is pickup from Lyon included in the tour?

Yes, premium pickup from Lyon is available or return train tickets are provided.

What kind of vehicle is used for this Beaujolais day trip?

The tour uses vintage Land Rovers for all transportation.

Are wine tastings included on this private tour?

Yes, several wine tastings with local producers are included during the day.

Is lunch provided during the Beaujolais private tour?

Yes, lunch is included—either as a picnic in the vineyards or at a local restaurant.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Please let the team know at least 2 days in advance for any dietary needs.

How long does it take to get from Lyon to Beaujolais?

The journey from Lyon takes about 35 minutes by train or around 1 hour 20 minutes driving total during the day.

Is this tour suitable for children or people with limited mobility?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels; children are welcome but only served non-alcoholic drinks.

Will we visit castles and historical sites on this trip?

Yes, you’ll visit medieval castles, chapels, and even an ancient abbey built by the Cluny order.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Lyon (or return train tickets), all transportation in a vintage Land Rover with your guide, several wine tastings with local producers (plus grape juice for non-drinkers), cold cuts and cheese handpicked by locals, water and soft drinks throughout, plus lunch either as a vineyard picnic or at a traditional restaurant before heading back to Lyon in the evening.

What’s the experience like?

I still remember how the morning started—one minute we were dodging Lyon’s traffic, then suddenly we were bouncing along these tiny Beaujolais backroads in an old Land Rover that smelled faintly of leather and dust. Our guide, Antoine, grinned at every pothole like he’d planted them himself. The air was cool but not cold, and I kept catching whiffs of wet earth mixed with something sweet—maybe wildflowers or just the promise of wine later on.

We stopped in a village where I swear there were more wine shops than people. Antoine waved at everyone like they were family. He told us stories about the ten crus of Beaujolais—honestly, I didn’t know there were so many. At one point, we ducked into this old church-turned-cellar and tasted a glass poured by Madame Fournier herself. She laughed when I tried to pronounce “Morgon” with a French accent (I definitely failed). The cheese was creamy and sharp at the same time; it stuck to my teeth in a way that made me want more bread.

Lunch ended up being a picnic right among the vines—blanket spread out, cold cuts and local cheese unwrapped by hands that knew what they were doing. There was this quiet moment where nobody talked; you could just hear bees somewhere nearby and the distant hum of another Land Rover. I didn’t expect to feel so relaxed out there. Later we wandered through a 12th-century chapel where faded paintings peeked out from under old plaster—Antoine said they’d almost lost them forever back in the ‘80s. It felt like stumbling into someone else’s memory.

The day blurred after that—castles with stories about eccentric owners, abbeys so silent you could hear your own shoes on stone floors. By the time we rattled back toward Lyon (or maybe it was just me rattling), my head was full of names I couldn’t pronounce and small moments I hope I don’t forget soon.