Classic bike (AT)
£276 for 6 days
Highlights
Description
Beaujolais sits just north of Lyon, but it feels like another world entirely. Rolling hills, golden-stone villages, and vineyards that locals still work much as they always have. It's often called France's answer to Tuscany, and once you're on the bike, you'll understand why.
This route takes you through the heart of the region, from the honey-coloured villages of the Pierres Dorées to the famous cru villages of Fleurie, Morgon, and Chiroubles. Expect quiet roads, short climbs rather than long grinds, and plenty of reasons to stop — a view, a vineyard, a particularly good boulangerie.
Fly or train into Lyon, where a transfer takes you to your first hotel near Anse. Settle in, pick up your roadbook and maps, and get ready for the days ahead. Overnight near Anse.
Example accommodation: Hotel St Romain ***
Your ride begins in the Pierres Dorées, named for the honey-coloured limestone used to build its villages. Wind through countryside that's barely changed in centuries, with a detour to Oingt, widely considered one of France's most beautiful villages, with a medieval tower and views across the valley. Overnight in Vaux-en-Beaujolais.
Example accommodation: Auberge de Clochemerle ***
A hillier day, but one with real payoff. Climb past Mont Brouilly before tackling two of the region's well-known cols, the Croix Marchampt and Croix Rosier, the latter topping out at 725m. The reward: sweeping views, medieval villages, and a string of small châteaux along the way. Overnight at the same hotel.
Example accommodation: Auberge de Clochemerle ***
Today's route threads through the classified vineyards of the Beaujolais Villages appellation. In Romanèche-Thorins, stop in at Hameau Duboeuf for a fascinating look at the world of wine and vine. Overnight at the hotel.
Example accommodation: Les Maritonnes ***
A choice today: stay back at the hotel and enjoy the pool, or head out on a loop through the Beaujolais 'balconies'. Vineyards, valleys, and castles line the route, with one of the best views in the region from the winery village of Chiroubles.
Example accommodation: Les Maritonnes ***
Ride through some of Beaujolais' most celebrated wine villages, Saint-Amour, Fleurie, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, before passing the dramatic Solutré rock on your way into Mâcon.
Example accommodation: Ibis Mâcon Centre ***
An easy train back to Lyon or Paris.
We recommend flying to Lyon and returning from Mâcon.
£276 for 6 days
£378 for 6 days
Included with bike hire
Getting to the start (Lyon / Anse)
By plane: Fly into Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS), the closest international airport. It's about a 38-minute drive or roughly 31 miles from the airport to Anse. We arrange your transfer from Lyon to your first hotel as part of the tour, so this leg is taken care of for you.
By train: Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport has its own TGV station, so it's easy to combine a flight with onward rail travel if you're coming from further afield. If you're arriving by train from elsewhere in France or Europe, Lyon Part-Dieu is the main hub, with frequent regional connections towards Anse and the Beaujolais villages.
By car: Lyon is well connected by motorway from Paris, Geneva, and the south of France, with Anse roughly half an hour northwest of the city centre.
Getting back from the tour (Mâcon)
By train: This is the easiest way home. Mâcon-Loché TGV station is just thirty minutes from Lyon and around an hour and forty minutes from Paris by high-speed train. Direct TGV INOUI services run several times a day to Paris Gare de Lyon, making it simple to continue your trip or head home.
By plane: To connect back to Lyon Airport, trains run regularly between Mâcon-Loché TGV and the airport via Lyon Part-Dieu, taking just under an hour, making a same-day flight connection very doable.
By car: It's around a 54-minute drive from Mâcon back to Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport if you'd rather return by road or have arranged a rental car.
Bikes are not included. You are welcome to bring your own bike or hire one. Please see our bike hire section for details.
Flights are not included. Please refer to the what's included section for full details.
We will confirm your booking within 48 hours of receiving your enquiry. Please wait for confirmation before booking flights or making other travel arrangements.
Most itineraries include cycling on most days, with some rest or shorter days built in. Please check the itinerary for day-by-day details.
The latest you can book is 9 days before departure. This gives us enough time to confirm arrangements and accommodation.
You will receive full travel details, including accommodation, meeting points and local contacts, 3 to 5 weeks before departure.
