Terroir is a beautiful word which means land, soil and region all
in one.
 la
Maison des Beaujolais in Saint-Jean-d'Ardières
The people involved in tourism and the vines have woven their web. One
of the oldest parts of it is the Maison des Beaujolais in Saint-Jean-d'Ardières. It was
built by and for winemakers. Groups and individuals are welcomed for tasting sessions of the 12
Beaujolais appellations. There are 150 settings in the restaurant where legs of lamb, sausage
in pommace and other regional specialities are served. You can always add a few good bottles of
Beaujolais from there to your cellar. To complete the range the Beaujolais Wine School organises
courses there.
Sources
du Beaujolais , Beaujeu
Sources du Beaujolais, in the heart of Beaujeu is a journey through history.
The centre is in a splendid renaissance house with 14th and 16th century architecture. The exterior
gables and interior wooden galleries are extraordinary.
The contents are no less exciting. You travel the region's wine history
through a light and sound show. You can learn about the town's central role, its main characters
and the evolution of wine transport.
The Sources is also a series of audio-visual documents and original furnishings of which is the
Freyssinet barge. There is also a boutique with a wide range of things to choose from including
regional produce, crafts and wine.
Rochebonne
in Theizé
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Passion is the key that opens all the doors to Rochebonne in Theizé,
the forth of the region’s six centres. This château, that holds its golden façade
to the rising sun, defies the horizon as far as Mont Blanc. It was dismantled in 1363 and reconstructed
in luminous golden stone.
On 1st May 1999 a museum that was thought out by a group of enthusiats was opened. The "fiancés
de l'automne" (autumn’s fiancés) route starts in the vaulted cellars. It
leads you to the deepest secrets of unique Beaujolais vinification. From the harvest room to
the vatroom the fiancés, in autumn colours, pull you by the hand from a winemaker’s
meal to the cellar.
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L'espace
Pierres Folles' in Saint-Jean-des-Vignes.
The museum, geological track and botanical garden show how, within the
wheel of evolution, Beaujolais was created. ‘Pierres Folles’ gives an authentic initiation
to palaeontology and helps to understand the origins of today’s plants. There are also an
aquarium containing nautili and a hologram showing pterodactyls flight. A recent addition is an
aquarium containing coral reef flora and fauna.
There are 4 sites on the geological track that follow the history of the region’s geological
development. You walk on rocks that hold fossils contemporary to the dinosaurs.
These four sites have already won the Pays Beaujolais the Lyon Tourism Trophy 2000. This distinction
will be even more justified when the last two of the centre network open, they are Vaux-en-Beaujolais
and ‘Cap Vignes’ in the Château de Bel-Air in Saint-Jean-d'Ardières.
It was unthinkable to leave Clochemerle off the panel of Beaujolais treasures. Soon the whole
village will turn to the vines through literature. Several key sites will relive the main stages
of Gabriel Chevallier’s famous novel.
Finally, the network will be complete with the opening of another quality museum in the heart
of a working wine estate at the Château de Bel-Air.
This will show the day to day life of vinegrowers.
Romanèche-Thorins,
an exceptional hamlet
A train-spotter would be disappointed, there hasn't been a whistle from
a train for a good while in Romanèche-Thorins' old station.
For the Beaujolais traveller this visit is a must. You hardly have the time to admire the 1876
PLM locomotive which must have pulled more than a hecto of Beaujolais, before you are in a reconstituted
1900s station hall. Naturally you buy your ticket for a voyage through the wine universe at the
ticket office. Historic frescos take you back 3500 years, in the showcases are models of boats
carrying amphorae and barrels loading onto an old wagon. Not forgetting packaging for wine, equipment
and a 50s lab. Futuroscope produced the 3D film "La R'vole" which is followed by the
"Noé, 1st vinegrower" show that was added in 2000. However, the most beautiful
place is the reception room set out by Georges Dubœuf, which brings together all the different
aspects of wine and joy in living to the music of a Gavioli steam organ.
All change!
And
more
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Musée
de la vigne et du vin à Vaux en Beaujolais
tél. : 04 74 03 20 03
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Mini Musée
de la vigne à Salles Arbuissonnas
tél. : 04 74 67 52 67
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And
Reminder tourism - Terroir - quality in the Pays Beaujolais
All those who are looking for a maximum of guarantees while travelling will be pleased to know
that from 2002 the Pays Beaujolais will use the Tourism-Terroir-Quality approach.
This is official certification and part of the Rhône-Alpes Terroir charter. The Pays Beaujolais
and Drôme Provençale are the pioneers for this regional qualification. Some Beaujolais
services will have it from the end of spring 2002.
Tourism-Terroir-Quality's main vocation is to bring the people involved in tourism who are committed
to quality, originality and authenticity to the forefront.
You will be able to delve deep into the Beaujolais region's secrets through organised visits of
workshops, museums and heritage centres etc., organised hikes linked to regional catering, festivities,
shows and lodging that respect the terroir.
From year to year there will be ever more good addresses that carry the "Tourism-Terroir-Quality"
mark. Don't hesitate to ask for the list in the region's tourist offices.
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