Imagine the scene: rows of vine plants, rolling hills and a village of golden stones in amongst the vines, and there you have the Beaujolais region. Well, a small glimpse of it at least.
Because when it comes to panoramic scenery, the Beaujolais region has plenty to offer! Hills, plains, forests, rivers, sloping hillsides, grasslands, the views are all stunning and varied in equal measure.
A Tuscan air
In the south, the golden stones evoke the beauty of Tuscany.
Let’s start with a look at these villages that change colour with the sun. And whatever the weather, they light up the Beaujolais region with their ochre-coloured warmth and historical charm. The 39 villages built with golden stones are great for wine-tasting trips and for exploring the local heritage.
From Oingt for example – one of the most beautiful villages in France – you can admire the green hillocks covered in the vines that are typical of landscapes in the south of the Beaujolais region.
Winegrowing on a promontory
Further north, the countryside becomes noticeably more hilly.
The ridges of the Monts du Beaujolais to the west reach high points of 900 m above sea level.
This is wild natural territory. The forest takes over. These low-lying mountains form the promontory in the Beaujolais winegrowing area.
They are also magnificent viewpoints from which to observe the region.
Vines on slopes
Vines stretch as far as the eye can see across the hillsides all the way down to the river. The sun-drenched vines get exactly the quantity of water they need as it flows down the slopes. Here and there, grass grows between the vines, offering a springy, comfortable bed for the cadoles, stone huts that are typical of the Beaujolais landscape.
Charming villages offer visual landmarks in this sea of vines. Look across the other side of the Saône River and you’ll see Mont Blanc and the Alps in all their splendour.
“Landscapes to keep close to your heart”
The countryside around here is never monotonous! The Beaujolais region is like a series of paintings that change colour with the seasons, to the delight of artists and photographers and the amazement of hikers.
“There are landscapes that you wish to keep close to your heart, and the Beaujolais is one of them,” said Léon Foillard, founder of the Compagnons du Beaujolais (The Beaujolais Guild) in the early 20th century.
We couldn’t have put it better ourselves.