It is Beaujolais' nature to change at every turn of a track, each
time you change valleys or go into a little hamlet. The region is formed by 12 cantons and 154
communes making up a patchwork that fertilises the imagination.
In the Pierres Dorées for example, the architecture gets its individuality from the ferruginous
limestone from the local quarries. Over the last few years the beautiful houses in the villages
and hamlets have been carefully restored. They look as if they have caught the sun that caresses
the south of the Beaujolais region.
In this southern area that is sometimes compared to Tuscany, the fossil-rich sedimentary land has
given golden houses, churches and walls that encompass the vines. Very old perched villages blend
in perfectly with their surroundings making a stroll well worth your while.
We advise you to visit Ternand,
a fortified mediaeval town that overlooks the Azergues Valley. It is so serene that you can almost
hear the stone breathe. The Roman church that dates from the 11th century and the public garden
in the ruins of the old castle both tempt you to see more. So wander along to Bagnols
where the 15th century château has been made into a luxury hotel, there are a church dating
from the 12th century and traditionally built houses. Then carry on to Charnay,
where the golden houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries and a church with a roman style
apse and bell-tower shine from the top of the slope.
Its a goodly treck from Charnay to Saint-Clément-de-Vers,
but the way there through Chessy, Légny, Létra, Chamelet,
Lamure-sur-Azergues, Les Echarmeaux and Propières is stunning.
As you go through Haut-Beaujolais there are ever more choices of places to halt. Stop off at Saint-Clément-de-Vers,
where mountain chalets border marked footpaths. Go on as far as Saint-Jacques-des-Arrêts
which was part of the Compostelle pilgrimage.
If you have the time you could take the road from peak to peak including
Mont Saint-Rigaud (1009 metres above sea level), Col de
Crie and Fût d'Avenas (the alter in the old church is a chef-d'oeuvre).
A turn of the wheel and you have arrived in Fleurie, the
village watched over by the 'Madone', a chapel that was built in 1875. La-Chapelle-de-Guinchay
(71) is part of the Beaujolais family in that Chenas and Beaujolais-Villages are made there. Wine
is nature's companion along all these roads!
 Stunning
Oingt
While visiting Oingt you're likely to get a particular feeling, maybe
that of walking on the paving of the ideal village…
On one hand because the view from there is incomparable and on the other because of the magnificence
of the 'golden stone' where 11th and 13th century châteaux rub shoulders with little shops
that line winding roads to the oldest fortifications (porte de Nizy). Seven centuries overlook
Beaujolais from the top of the keep!
Whether you go alone, with your family or with friends, there are things to admire and buy in
the various arts and crafts shops. Some of the shops are open all year round. Whatever the season,
Oingt is as beautiful deserted in the snow as it is when it bustles with life in August!
La
Grange Charton
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The winemaking tradition in Régnié-Durette exudes French-style art of living and
taste. It is here, in the Hospices de Beaujeu's splendid wine estate, that the wines are made
for the annual auction in aid of the Hospices, you can also buy the wines there. The Grange
Charton is a close collaborator in the improvements made for the residents at Beaujeu hospital.
The Hospices' vine estate covers 80 hectares of vines and produces around 4500hl per year.
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The
Dechelette district in Amplepuis
As you leave Amplepuis by the Roanne road, spare a little time for the Dechelette district, its
founder built a mechanical weaving factory in 1872. Workers from the whole region were attracted
there by the number of jobs. To keep them Eugène Dechelette had long housing buildings erected,
followed by a chapel and a mixed school. All this was grouped around the factory and the master's
house.
A co-op was also started up, making it almost a village in its own right. In 1920 there were 570
working looms. At first the factory was run by hydraulic power, then steam and finally electricity.
The Déchelettes have left behind them a imprint that is a far cry from the Net Economy!
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