Beaujolais Wine Tour from Lyon: Crus Tastings & Castles

Nine Beaujolais wines across two cellars, from a dormant volcano to a château

A small-group wine tour departing Lyon at 1:50 pm, traveling the Beaujolais Route des Vins through five crus appellations (Brouilly, Morgon, Fleurie, Moulin-à-Vent and Juliénas) with tastings at a family winery and a château estate. The guide explains the semi-carbonic maceration process unique to Beaujolais and the terroir that shapes each wine, while the route passes Mont Brouilly's volcanic vineyards and stops at La Madone Chapel in Fleurie for views across the region.

Step-by-step itinerary

Beaujolais wine tour and tastings

• Meet guide at Lyon Office de Tourisme
• Drive through Beaujolais Route des Vins
• Visit small family winery and taste wines
• Enjoy panorama at La Madone Chapel
• Tour Chateau Wine Estate cellar and taste wines
• Return to Lyon Office de Tourisme

The experience

The tour leaves Lyon at 1:50 pm from Bellecour Square and travels the Route des Vins in an eight-seat minibus with air conditioning. Your English or French-speaking guide introduces the concept of terroir and walks you through the different crus appellations as the landscape unfolds: each one produces Gamay wines with distinct characteristics tied to soil and elevation. Mont Brouilly, a dormant volcano, rises above the vineyards as you pass through, its slopes terraced with secular vines.

At 3:15 pm you enter a small family winery where the winemaker explains the semi-carbonic maceration process that defines Beaujolais production. In the caveau, you taste several crus wines from different vintages, learning how the method shapes their flavor. The route then crosses Morgon and climbs to La Madone Chapel in Fleurie, where the panorama stretches across the wine region. On clear days the Alps and Mont Blanc appear on the horizon.

The second tasting happens in the cellar of a château wine estate near Chénas, where oak barrels line the stone walls. Your guide describes the aromas, balance and complexity of the crus as you sample them. At 6:30 pm the minibus returns you to Bellecour Square in Lyon.

What’s included

• Wine tasting of nine Beaujolais crus wines from different vintages.
• expert guide fluent in English and French.
• high-comfort eight-seat minibus with air conditioning.
• explanations of the semi-carbonic maceration winemaking process and terroir philosophy.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Friday and SaturdayDeparts at 14:00

Book up to12h before

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by KANPAI TOURISME

Is this one for you?Book this if you want hands-on tastings at two different estates (a family winery and a château cellar) with a guide who can discuss the wines in depth rather than rushing through a larger group.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

What is semi-carbonic maceration and why does Beaujolais use it?

Semi-carbonic maceration is the unique winemaking process that defines Beaujolais production. The winemaker at the family winery explains the steps during the tasting, showing how the method shapes the flavor and character of the crus wines you sample.

Will I see Mont Blanc on this tour?

Mont Blanc is visible from La Madone Chapel in Fleurie on clear days, along with views across the entire Beaujolais wine region. The chapel sits at a vantage point above the vineyards, though visibility depends on weather conditions.

How many wines do I taste and where?

Nine Beaujolais crus wines are included in the tasting. You taste several from different vintages at a small family winery at 3:15 pm, then taste more in the cellar of a château wine estate near Chénas later in the afternoon.

What are the crus appellations we visit?

The tour travels through five crus appellations: Brouilly, Morgon, Fleurie, Moulin-à-Vent and Juliénas. Each produces elite Gamay wines with distinct characteristics shaped by the local terroir, and the guide explains these differences as you drive the Route des Vins.

Is this tour suitable if I have mobility concerns?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. It involves walking to the minibus, entering a family winery and a château cellar, and climbing to La Madone Chapel. Public transportation options are available near the meeting point if you need alternatives.