Villefranche-sur-Saone

Our most recommended things to do in Villefranche-sur-Saone

Beaujolais: Segway Tour with Wine Tasting

Beaujolais: Segway Tour with Wine Tasting

Follow an enthusiastic and passionate guide through the picturesque Beaujolais wine route at the controls of a Segway, an innovative and ecological means of transport. Accessible to beginners, it is a fun experience to enjoy with family or friends. Meet your guide in the morning or afternoon, depending on the time chosen for the visit. You will first benefit from a 15-minute presentation on the use of the Segway. You will be ready to enjoy this visit with confidence. Each circuit is designed so that everyone can enjoy the beauty of the Beaujolais countryside and its historic villages. This 1h15 excursion starts at a winemaker's estate located in a charming village near Villefranche-sur-Saône, just 30 minutes from Lyon. Follow your local guide through vineyards and other stunning scenery. Make a few stops to take pictures of the hillsides and the many small villages that surround them. After exploring the fields, continue through the medieval village of Oingt to enjoy its beauty and character. Then return to the estate by following the road and crossing the fields. You will be welcomed by the winemaker, who will happily present his wines and local products to you.

Visit : From Château des Thorins to Château du Moulin-à-Vent

Visit : From Château des Thorins to Château du Moulin-à-Vent

This tour transports the curious into the daily life of the estate. From the privileged viewpoint of the terrace overlooking the appellation, they discover the specificities of Moulin-à-Vent: its granitic soils and their characteristic expression of pink sand, the impact of the winds that blow on the AOC and the estate, or the diversity of the terroirs, of which you can already see 5 out of the 69, with their very different environments. A dive into the past of the Château immerses them in 3 centuries of history, alongside the great families who have carried the estate, with a faith still intact today. In the winery, we focus on the technical part: explanations of our methods and our choices, we share the genesis of our wines, from the harvest to the maturation. The vaulted cellar of the domain, which dates back from the end of the 16th century, marks the final point of the visit. The Chapelle des Thorins then opens its doors, with 4 wines available for tasting: 3 cuvées, including 2 single-vineyards from the terroirs presented at the beginning of the visit, on the current vintage, as well as a cuvée from an older vintage, in order to appreciate the ""vintage effect"" on our wines."

Beaujolais - Pérouges : Full Day Shared Trip

Beaujolais - Pérouges : Full Day Shared Trip

Explore southern Beaujolais and appreciate the diversity of this area. Often compared to Tuscany, this hilly region dotted with hilltop villages built in golden stone offers a gentle pace of life. Our cultural and gourmet itinerary leads you around the southern part of Beaujolais. A few kilometers to the north of Lyons, the region is green and hilly. Known around the world for its famous Beaujolais Nouveau, it is also the land of golden stone that offers its charming villages a unique style. Our driver-guide and wine lover will pass on his passion for the region to you during our rural excursion. An introduction to wine and a meeting with a winemaker who will also invite you to enjoy a tasting experience. Discover Southern Beaujolais with our unusual and gourmet tour which will show the highlights of this beautiful region. Enjoy an exceptional time to take in the wonders of this region, from history to wine! Once our experienced driver-guide has met you at your hotel with our air-conditioned minivan you will head north to southern Beaujolais. Among the hills and valleys, beautiful golden stone villages reveal their warm colors and beautiful light. Unique in the region, this ochre stone defines the landscape which offers an exceptionally soothing environment. We will then take advantage of this authentic setting to enjoy an introduction to wine-tasting in the heart of the vineyards. By tasting three different wines accompanied by a local French pastry, your guide will pass on their passion for wine to you. We will explain the notion of “terroir”, which is behind the uniqueness of the different vineyards. You will then visit Oingt, a 12th century village listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France. Here, along its narrow streets, you will discover the authentic charms of its medieval monuments. Later on, you will continue your itinerary through this magnificent setting and take advantage of the exceptional landscapes. Your last stop will be at a family owned winery. During the visit to the estate, the very personable winemaker will be happy to reveal the secrets of his work. To round off the half-day tour, he will invite you to taste some wines accompanied by a “mâchon”. This traditional snack from Lyon will offer you the chance to discover local cold meats and cheeses.

Visit : Château du Moulin-à-Vent, where time is an ally

Visit : Château du Moulin-à-Vent, where time is an ally

Combining history, terroir, and aging, this tour offers the most comprehensive immersion in the estate. From the privileged viewpoint of the terrace overlooking the appellation, visitors discover the specifics of Moulin-à-Vent: its granitic soils with their characteristic expression of pink sands, the impact of the winds blowing over the AOC and the estate, and the diversity of the terroirs, with five already visible out of the 69, each with their unique environments. A dive into the history of the Château immerses them in three centuries of history, alongside the great families who have carried the estate, with their faith still intact today. In the vat room, the focus is on the technical aspects: explanations of our methods and choices, decoding the genesis of our wines from harvest to aging, which takes place in the estate's vaulted cellar, dating back to the 16th century. A visit to the estate's emblematic vineyard, Clos de Londres, marks the highlight of the tour. Located on the "Le Moulin-à-Vent" terroir, it offers a view of the historic mill, the icon of the appellation. It is here, on this parcel, that our most ambitious adventures began: from transitioning to organic farming to initiating massal selection and creating our first micro-cuvées, one can grasp here the essence and purpose of the estate. Next, we offer a vertical tasting in the Chapelle des Thorins. The Château du Moulin-à-Vent cuvée, the estate's reference cuvée, is tasted across the vintages 2005, 2011, 2015 and 2022. These bottles, often rare, have been stored in the estate's private cellars, under optimal aging conditions, illustrating the aging potential of our wines. The tasting concludes with an appreciation of our single-parcel selections from the 2022 vintage: "Les Vérillats," "Champ de Cour," and "La Rochelle."

Visit : Château du Moulin-à-Vent, a History of Terroirs!

Visit : Château du Moulin-à-Vent, a History of Terroirs!

This tour immerses wine enthusiasts in the grand terroirs of Moulin-à-Vent. From the privileged viewpoint of the terrace overlooking the appellation, you will discover the specifics of Moulin-à-Vent: its granitic soils with their characteristic expression of pink sands, the impact of the winds blowing over the AOC and the estate, and the diversity of the terroirs, of which five out of the 69 can already be seen, each with their unique environment. A true dive into three centuries of history, alongside the great families who have carried the estate, fueled by a faith that remains intact today. In the vat room, the focus is on the technical aspects: explanations of our methods and choices, decoding the genesis of our wines from harvest to aging, which takes place in the estate's vaulted cellar, dating back to the 16th century. A visit to the estate's emblematic vineyard, Clos de Londres, marks the highlight of the tour. Located on the "Le Moulin-à-Vent" terroir, it offers a view of the historic mill, the icon of the appellation. It is here, on this parcel, that our most ambitious adventures began: from transitioning to organic farming to initiating massal selection and creating our first micro-cuvées, one can grasp here the essence and purpose of the estate. During the subsequent tasting in the Chapelle des Thorins, five cuvées are tasted. Three of them are our single-parcel selections, the estate's emblematic triptych: "Les Vérillats," "Champ de Cour," and "La Rochelle." The tasting concludes with our micro-cuvée "Clos de Londres," from the vineyard just visited, from the exceptional 2015 vintage: produced in fewer than 2,000 bottles, this cuvée is exclusively available at the estate, beautifully illustrating the power of the terroirs.

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Our most recommended things to do in Villefranche-sur-Saone

Beaujolais: Segway Tour with Wine Tasting

Beaujolais: Segway Tour with Wine Tasting

Follow an enthusiastic and passionate guide through the picturesque Beaujolais wine route at the controls of a Segway, an innovative and ecological means of transport. Accessible to beginners, it is a fun experience to enjoy with family or friends. Meet your guide in the morning or afternoon, depending on the time chosen for the visit. You will first benefit from a 15-minute presentation on the use of the Segway. You will be ready to enjoy this visit with confidence. Each circuit is designed so that everyone can enjoy the beauty of the Beaujolais countryside and its historic villages. This 1h15 excursion starts at a winemaker's estate located in a charming village near Villefranche-sur-Saône, just 30 minutes from Lyon. Follow your local guide through vineyards and other stunning scenery. Make a few stops to take pictures of the hillsides and the many small villages that surround them. After exploring the fields, continue through the medieval village of Oingt to enjoy its beauty and character. Then return to the estate by following the road and crossing the fields. You will be welcomed by the winemaker, who will happily present his wines and local products to you.

Visit : From Château des Thorins to Château du Moulin-à-Vent

Visit : From Château des Thorins to Château du Moulin-à-Vent

This tour transports the curious into the daily life of the estate. From the privileged viewpoint of the terrace overlooking the appellation, they discover the specificities of Moulin-à-Vent: its granitic soils and their characteristic expression of pink sand, the impact of the winds that blow on the AOC and the estate, or the diversity of the terroirs, of which you can already see 5 out of the 69, with their very different environments. A dive into the past of the Château immerses them in 3 centuries of history, alongside the great families who have carried the estate, with a faith still intact today. In the winery, we focus on the technical part: explanations of our methods and our choices, we share the genesis of our wines, from the harvest to the maturation. The vaulted cellar of the domain, which dates back from the end of the 16th century, marks the final point of the visit. The Chapelle des Thorins then opens its doors, with 4 wines available for tasting: 3 cuvées, including 2 single-vineyards from the terroirs presented at the beginning of the visit, on the current vintage, as well as a cuvée from an older vintage, in order to appreciate the ""vintage effect"" on our wines."

Beaujolais - Pérouges : Full Day Shared Trip

Beaujolais - Pérouges : Full Day Shared Trip

Explore southern Beaujolais and appreciate the diversity of this area. Often compared to Tuscany, this hilly region dotted with hilltop villages built in golden stone offers a gentle pace of life. Our cultural and gourmet itinerary leads you around the southern part of Beaujolais. A few kilometers to the north of Lyons, the region is green and hilly. Known around the world for its famous Beaujolais Nouveau, it is also the land of golden stone that offers its charming villages a unique style. Our driver-guide and wine lover will pass on his passion for the region to you during our rural excursion. An introduction to wine and a meeting with a winemaker who will also invite you to enjoy a tasting experience. Discover Southern Beaujolais with our unusual and gourmet tour which will show the highlights of this beautiful region. Enjoy an exceptional time to take in the wonders of this region, from history to wine! Once our experienced driver-guide has met you at your hotel with our air-conditioned minivan you will head north to southern Beaujolais. Among the hills and valleys, beautiful golden stone villages reveal their warm colors and beautiful light. Unique in the region, this ochre stone defines the landscape which offers an exceptionally soothing environment. We will then take advantage of this authentic setting to enjoy an introduction to wine-tasting in the heart of the vineyards. By tasting three different wines accompanied by a local French pastry, your guide will pass on their passion for wine to you. We will explain the notion of “terroir”, which is behind the uniqueness of the different vineyards. You will then visit Oingt, a 12th century village listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France. Here, along its narrow streets, you will discover the authentic charms of its medieval monuments. Later on, you will continue your itinerary through this magnificent setting and take advantage of the exceptional landscapes. Your last stop will be at a family owned winery. During the visit to the estate, the very personable winemaker will be happy to reveal the secrets of his work. To round off the half-day tour, he will invite you to taste some wines accompanied by a “mâchon”. This traditional snack from Lyon will offer you the chance to discover local cold meats and cheeses.

Visit : Château du Moulin-à-Vent, where time is an ally

Visit : Château du Moulin-à-Vent, where time is an ally

Combining history, terroir, and aging, this tour offers the most comprehensive immersion in the estate. From the privileged viewpoint of the terrace overlooking the appellation, visitors discover the specifics of Moulin-à-Vent: its granitic soils with their characteristic expression of pink sands, the impact of the winds blowing over the AOC and the estate, and the diversity of the terroirs, with five already visible out of the 69, each with their unique environments. A dive into the history of the Château immerses them in three centuries of history, alongside the great families who have carried the estate, with their faith still intact today. In the vat room, the focus is on the technical aspects: explanations of our methods and choices, decoding the genesis of our wines from harvest to aging, which takes place in the estate's vaulted cellar, dating back to the 16th century. A visit to the estate's emblematic vineyard, Clos de Londres, marks the highlight of the tour. Located on the "Le Moulin-à-Vent" terroir, it offers a view of the historic mill, the icon of the appellation. It is here, on this parcel, that our most ambitious adventures began: from transitioning to organic farming to initiating massal selection and creating our first micro-cuvées, one can grasp here the essence and purpose of the estate. Next, we offer a vertical tasting in the Chapelle des Thorins. The Château du Moulin-à-Vent cuvée, the estate's reference cuvée, is tasted across the vintages 2005, 2011, 2015 and 2022. These bottles, often rare, have been stored in the estate's private cellars, under optimal aging conditions, illustrating the aging potential of our wines. The tasting concludes with an appreciation of our single-parcel selections from the 2022 vintage: "Les Vérillats," "Champ de Cour," and "La Rochelle."

Visit : Château du Moulin-à-Vent, a History of Terroirs!

Visit : Château du Moulin-à-Vent, a History of Terroirs!

This tour immerses wine enthusiasts in the grand terroirs of Moulin-à-Vent. From the privileged viewpoint of the terrace overlooking the appellation, you will discover the specifics of Moulin-à-Vent: its granitic soils with their characteristic expression of pink sands, the impact of the winds blowing over the AOC and the estate, and the diversity of the terroirs, of which five out of the 69 can already be seen, each with their unique environment. A true dive into three centuries of history, alongside the great families who have carried the estate, fueled by a faith that remains intact today. In the vat room, the focus is on the technical aspects: explanations of our methods and choices, decoding the genesis of our wines from harvest to aging, which takes place in the estate's vaulted cellar, dating back to the 16th century. A visit to the estate's emblematic vineyard, Clos de Londres, marks the highlight of the tour. Located on the "Le Moulin-à-Vent" terroir, it offers a view of the historic mill, the icon of the appellation. It is here, on this parcel, that our most ambitious adventures began: from transitioning to organic farming to initiating massal selection and creating our first micro-cuvées, one can grasp here the essence and purpose of the estate. During the subsequent tasting in the Chapelle des Thorins, five cuvées are tasted. Three of them are our single-parcel selections, the estate's emblematic triptych: "Les Vérillats," "Champ de Cour," and "La Rochelle." The tasting concludes with our micro-cuvée "Clos de Londres," from the vineyard just visited, from the exceptional 2015 vintage: produced in fewer than 2,000 bottles, this cuvée is exclusively available at the estate, beautifully illustrating the power of the terroirs.

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What people are saying about Villefranche-sur-Saone

Overall rating

4.8
(22 reviews)

Had a really awesome time here! It's a family-owned shop and vineyards. Kinda remote, so best accessed by private means; although I made do with a taxi/uber from Villefranche-sur-Saone (~15km). If you do use a taxi, make sure to arrange pick up. The guide Jose' was great, speaks good English, good vibes. You'll spend the first hour training on the Segways, could be longer if there's more participants. The views of the vineyards from the hilltop are spectacular; if you take the tour later in the afternoon/evening. The family are some really lovely people; you can stay and hangout even after the tour. (Shout out Marie-Ange) Overall, recommend for a half-day trip from Lyon into the Beaujolais countryside.

Great experience! Good guidance in English. Through the vineyards and also forests and fields. Really recommended. Very good alternative to walking or cycling. Guide was very friendly and helpful and gave excellent information about grapes, the region and surroundings. Then wine tasting! Top!

Amazing views from the Segway tour. Jose, our tour guide was friendly and patient. It was everything we expected and more!

Excellent time! José and Laurent are very nice, the atmosphere was great and the activity too!

Excellent service, beautiful place and very fine wines.