Jullié combines an extensive heritage site with independent walks and wine and saffron experiences. You can shape your stay around your interests: the Site de la Roche brings together historic buildings and a seasonal program, Randoland gives a walk a defined time frame, and wine and saffron experiences lead to tastings and visits. If you’re looking for a hotel in Jullié, you can start by deciding which of these aspects of the town you’d like to focus on during your stay.
The Site de la Roche and its visiting hours
The Site de la Roche is a 35-hectare heritage site dating from the 17th century. It includes a château and park, farm buildings with a brick kiln and drying sheds, a washhouse, a bread oven, a mill and a pond. The site is listed in the Rhône Department’s inventory of picturesque sites. It lies in a valley crossed by the Rolland stream, amid vineyards and meadows on the edge of woodland.
The grounds and buildings have different visiting arrangements: the site is open to visitors free of charge every day from March 15 to November 30. The buildings, however, can be visited only by groups and by appointment. Arrange an appointment before you arrive. During the season, the program includes art and heritage exhibitions, concerts, local tours, conferences and educational visits for school groups. The seasonal program may vary.
Church: murals and special opening days
Jullié’s church contains murals painted by Édouard Krug in 1874 and 1875. The church was recently restored and displays liturgical objects and relics, including relics of Marguerite-Marie Alacoque. It is open during services and on special days, such as Heritage Days or the “Patrimoinez-vous” days organized by the Beaujolais Vignobles tourist office. Group visits are available on request. If you’d like to include the church in your plans, check locally for visiting opportunities.
Walks with different focuses
Randoland offers a self-guided walk lasting an hour and a half that explores the cultural and natural heritage of the town. This family-friendly treasure hunt uses activity sheets for ages 4–6, 7–9 and 9–12. The routes are available to download free of charge. This gives you both a specific time frame for the walk and activities tailored to different age groups.
The Circuit Fromage offers a different perspective on the Site de la Roche: the route passes by it, and walkers can see the château, pond and washhouse. While Randoland focuses on an independent walk through the cultural and natural heritage, the Circuit Fromage links the route with visible features of the site.
Wine, saffron and regional cuisine
Jullié’s sunny slopes are planted with Gamay noir à jus blanc. Some of the vineyards are part of the Juliénas cru, while others belong to Beaujolais-Villages, also known as Beaujolais-Jullié. Wine tastings are available at the Fontaine Arts & Vins cellar, 19 rue de l’église, from Thursday to Sunday. Winemakers also welcome guests to their private cellars. As tasting times may change, it’s best to check what’s available before your visit.
The Safranerie de Lydie Chevret offers visits to its crocus field and culinary tasting workshops focused on saffron. Visits are seasonal or arranged according to the producer’s schedule. Depending on the time of year, a visit may also include picking and separating saffron threads together with the producer.
Ferme du Rolland offers a guided tour of the farm. By prior arrangement, this can be combined with a tasting or a meal. At Col de la Sibérie, the Nicolosi family welcomes guests to a restaurant dedicated entirely to farm produce, serving convivial meals prepared seasonally with products from their own farm. Check reservation and opening hours in advance.
Discover more destinations: Jarnioux, Marcy-Lʼétoile, Limas, Messimy, Ranchal, Chiroubles, Tassin-La-Demi-Lune, Saint-Symphorien-D'ozon.
For the wider travel overview: Rhône.
