Golden limestone, historic buildings and its position on a ridge define Charnay. There are different ways to explore: a short route with a clear time estimate, sound walks and a vineyard loop. You can tailor your visit to focus more on architecture, village paths or the landscape, depending on your interests.
Golden stone and far-reaching views
Charnay’s buildings are defined by locally quarried golden limestone; the village is part of the Beaujolais des Pierres Dorées landscape region. At the same time, its elevated position on the ridge affords far-reaching views in every direction, particularly from the viewing tower, which has been converted for that purpose. The building material and the views offer two different ways to appreciate the village: the characteristic colour of its buildings and the outlook across the surrounding area.
Routes by time and landscape
The Parcours Découverte in Charnay is 1 km long, takes 30 to 45 minutes and starts at Place du Château. This time estimate helps you plan it as a shorter activity. The sound walks, by contrast, start in the village square and follow low-traffic roads that are accessible to most people. Their starting point and the kind of route described thus set them apart from the Parcours.
The Traverse des Pierres Dorées No. 11 loop focuses on the landscape: it passes through vineyards, offers views of the Azergues Valley and the Monts de Tarare, and returns to Charnay. The Parcours is defined by its length and duration; the Traverse can be understood in terms of its scenery and return to Charnay. Route details may be subject to local updates, so check for current information before setting out.
Architectural history and heritage
The Château de la Mansarde was built around 1650 for the secular lords and acquired by the municipality in 1948. Charnay’s fortified castle was built between the 12th and 13th centuries by the canons and counts of Lyon; today, it houses a post office. The village’s architectural history thus spans different periods and includes the castle’s present-day use.
The Church of Saint-Christophe has a Romanesque apse and bell tower, six Gothic side chapels, and a polychrome stone statue of Saint Christopher. Its Romanesque and Gothic features can be considered alongside the colourful artwork as distinct aspects of the church. The heritage room in the tower displays old tools used in viticulture and agriculture. This glimpse adds equipment from two important economic sectors to the story of the village’s architecture.
Les Vendanges Musicales
Les Vendanges Musicales has expanded to two consecutive evenings and mobilises more than 120 volunteers every year. The festival’s first edition took place in 2014; the Les Vendanges Musicales association was founded in January 2015. The festival holds the Vignobles et Découvertes label and supports the local wine-growing and tourism economy by helping visitors discover Charnay in a different way.
If you want the festival to determine your travel dates, check the dates and format of that year’s edition. This lets you plan around the recurring event without assuming specific dates.
Discover more destinations: Taponas, Vourles, Saint-André-La-Côte, Mornant, Grézieu-La-Varenne, Collonges-Au-Mont-D'or, Yzeron, Bully.
For the overview of the wider area: Rhône.
