In Beaujolais, geological diversity, wine-growing landscapes and cultural heritage come together. In 2018, the region was awarded the UNESCO Global Geopark label. It recognises the geological and landscape diversity of Beaujolais. As you explore the Rhône area, this is a theme you can follow from the soils to the towns and villages of the region.
Landscapes between the Massif Central and the Saône
Beaujolais lies on the edge of the Massif Central, northwest of Lyon, and offers views towards the Alps. The Saône Valley presents a different landscape: forests remain along the riverbanks, providing fish with shelter and spawning grounds. Wetlands are also part of the natural landscape. A survey in 2012 recorded at least 1,300 of them in Beaujolais.
Quarries are not just part of the geological landscape. Their walls provide nesting sites for eagle owls. Underground quarries and mines are home to almost half of Europe’s cave-dwelling bat species. The natural diversity of Beaujolais thus extends from riverbanks and wetlands to former mining sites.
Gamay and the soils of Beaujolais
Beaujolais wines are made from the Gamay grape variety. The vineyards lie on different types of soil, including granite, diorite and schist, as well as fluvioglacial deposits. The Beaujolais appellation extends across the northern part of the Rhône département and a southern edge of Saône-et-Loire; it lies between the Saône and the Monts du Beaujolais. Looking at wine and landscape together means encountering not just a grape variety, but also a varied geological foundation.
Hameau Duboeuf, Europe’s largest wine tourism park, is also part of the wine experience. The Voie Verte offers another way to explore the landscape through an activity: ten cycling loops branch off around its main route. The Voie Verte and its associated cycle paths are managed by the Rhône département. These are different ways to experience the region: one concerns wine tourism, the other the cycle network.
Geology and views at Mont Brouilly
At Mont Brouilly, there is a geosite with information panels and a landscape observatory. It offers a chance to explore the idea of a geopark at a specific location, where geological and landscape diversity sits alongside a designated viewpoint. Those interested in how a landscape forms and takes shape will find a different focus here than in wine and cultural heritage.
Oingt: tower, art and mechanical music
In Oingt, history takes you back to the days of the castle complex. The tower was built before 1183 as part of the second castle complex, where the lords of Oingt resided. The tower houses a museum spread over three floors. From the terrace, views extend over the Azergues Valley, Beaujolais and the Lyonnais, as far as the Monts d’Or, the Alps and Bugey.
Art and crafts are also part of what Oingt has to offer. The Ateliers d’Art de Oingt offer studio visits, courses and exhibitions. The Maison Commune is the oldest house in the village. It houses an art gallery that is open free of charge during the season. Exhibitions there feature painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics and installations; the programme may vary. As gallery visits are seasonal, it is worth checking in advance whether it will be open during your trip.
The Museum of Mechanical Music in Oingt offers another special interest. Its collection includes serinettes, barrel organs, phonographs, music boxes, player pianos and automata; the instruments are in working order. Together with the tower and studios, it reveals a cultural side of Beaujolais that encompasses architecture, visual arts and musical machines.
Discover more destinations: Sainte-Colombe, Beaujeu, Fleurie, Lyon, Régnié-Durette, Anse, Lissieu, Villefranche Sur Saône, Savigny, Vaulx-En-Velin, Tassin-La-Demi-Lune, Solaise, Sérézin-Du-Rhône, Saint-Priest, Saint-Laurent-De-Mure, Saint-Jean-Dʼardières, Saint-Genis-Laval, Sainte-Foy-Lès-Lyon, Saint-Bonnet-De-Mure, Saint-Apollinaire, Marcy-Lʼétoile, La Tour-De-Salvagny, Juliénas, Jons, Givors, Feyzin, Écully, Décines-Charpieu, Dardilly, Craponne, Corbas, Colombier-Saugnieu, Chassieu, Charbonnières-Les-Bains, Chaponnay, Bessenay, Pierre-Bénite, Marcilly-D'azergues, Lancié, Villeurbanne, Saint-Cyr-Au-Mont-D'or, Belleville-Sur-Saône, Mornant, Bron, Vaux-En-Beaujolais, Saint-Nizier-D'azergues, Messimy, Marennes, Pollionnay, Condrieu, Quincieux, Irigny, Chassagny, Saint-Bonnet-Le-Troncy, Ambérieux, Sathonay-Camp, Meyzieu, Collonges-Au-Mont-D'or, Saint-Sorlin, Chiroubles, Genas, L'arbresle, Corcelles-En-Beaujolais, Limonest, Villié-Morgon, Blacé, Vourles, Grézieu-La-Varenne, Vauxrenard, Rillieux-La-Pape, Lantignié, Vaugneray, Vernay, Cours-La-Ville, Brullioles, Sarcey, Saint-Germain-Au-Mont-D'or, Ouroux, Légny, Arnas, Brignais, Saint-Laurent-D'oingt, Saint-Loup, Charly, Montagny, Ternay, Oullins, Les Halles, Quincié-En-Beaujolais, Saint-Genis-Les-Ollières, Denicé, Chazay-D'azergues, Taluyers, Chénas, Vernaison, Gleize, Ampuis, Poule-Les-Écharmeaux, Ranchal, Les Ardillats, Avenas, Saint-Pierre-La-Palud, Yzeron, Chaponost, Saint-Laurent-De-Chamousset, Saint-Lager, Caluire-Et-Cuire, Le Breuil, Lucenay, Jarnioux, Orliénas, Tarare, Taponas, Dième, Ville-Sur-Jarnioux, Thizy, Limas, Haute-Rivoire, Millery, Les Sauvages, Saint-Clément-Sur-Valsonne, Saint-André-La-Côte, Joux, Chamelet, Saint-Symphorien-D'ozon, Châtillon, Sainte-Paule, Odenas, Charnay, Cercié, Charentay, Cogny, Le Bois-D'oingt, Bully, Theizé, Ternand, Saint-Étienne-Des-Oullières, Saint-Jean-Des-Vignes, Morancé, Émeringes, Salles-Arbuissonnas-En-Beaujolais, Saint-Didier-Sur-Beaujeu, Saint-Étienne-La-Varenne, Saint-Georges-De-Reneins, Frontenas, Liergues, Chessy, Tupin-Et-Semons, Le Perréon, Jullié, La Mulatière, Aigueperse, Francheville, Saint-Vérand, Vénissieux, Neuville-Sur-Saône, Saint-Forgeux, Pommiers, Saint-Vincent-De-Reins, Montrottier, Dommartin, Lamure-sur-Azergues, Monsols, Soucieu-en-Jarrest, Fontaines-sur-Saône, Rontalon, Thurins, Grézieu-le-Marché, Saint-Didier-au-Mont-d'Or, Saint-Pierre-de-Chandieu, Mions, Courzieu, Champagne-au-Mont-d'Or, Civrieux-d'Azergues, Lozanne, Amplepuis, Albigny-sur-Saône, Genay, Saint-Martin-en-Haut, Saint-Fons, Jonage, Saint-Germain-Nuelles, Couzon-au-Mont-d'Or, Dareizé, Pontcharra-sur-Turdine, Létra, Riverie, Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coise, Pont-Trambouze, Longes, Bibost, Montmelas-Saint-Sorlin, Thel
For the broader travel overview: Rhône-Alpes.
