Beaujolais, from the Villa

What to do in the Beaujolais
from Villa Saint-Lager?

The ideal starting point to explore one of France's most beautiful wine regions.

On foot through the vineyards

Hikes from Saint-Lager

The Beaujolais vineyard is best discovered on foot. Four marked routes, all accessible from the Villa — from a discovery loop to the great ridge walk.

Mont Brouilly

7 km round trip
290 m elevation
2h30 duration

The iconic trail of the Beaujolais. From the centre of Saint-Lager, the path climbs through the Brouilly vineyards to the Notre-Dame au Raisin chapel (484 m). Panoramic views of the Alps on clear days.

Brouilly Loop

5 km loop
130 m elevation
1h30 duration

A gentle stroll through the Brouilly vine rows, ideal for the evening or a first warm-up. The path follows the dry-stone walls of the wine estates and crosses the hamlet of Averlys.

Côte de Brouilly Loop

11 km loop
350 m elevation
3h30 duration

The big loop that circles the entire granite massif. Alternating vineyards, pine forests and panoramas over the Saône and the first Alpine foothills. Passing through Odenas and Château de la Chaize.

Golden Stones Trail

12 km loop
200 m elevation
3h duration

In southern Beaujolais, the golden houses of Oingt and Châtillon shine under the sun. This trail crosses villages listed among the 'Most Beautiful Villages in France' in a landscape of rare gentleness.

Between vineyards and greenway

Cycling in the Beaujolais

From the family loop among the crus to the great greenway along the Saône — two routes for all levels.

Mont Brouilly Loop

~15 km 180 m elev. 2h30 Easy

The signature loop starting from Saint-Lager. It circles Mont Brouilly through Cercié, Quincié-en-Beaujolais and Odenas. Quiet vineyard paths, 360° views. Ideal for a half-day.

Belleville–Villefranche Greenway

~30 km Flat 2h one way All levels

A paved cycle path separated from the road, following the Saône. Departure from Belleville (10 min). Perfect for families with children. You can reach the greenway from Saint-Lager by bike through the vineyards.

Bicycle hire nearby Several hire shops (standard and electric) in Belleville-sur-Saône, Villefranche-sur-Saône and Beaujeu. Find the full list on Destination Beaujolais. Bénédicte and Dominique can help you organise the logistics.

A must-do itinerary

The Beaujolais Wine Route

From Mâcon to Lyon, 130 km of vineyards, villages and châteaux across the ten Beaujolais crus.

Brouilly & Côte de Brouilly

The two crus closest to the Villa. Round, fruity wines, ideal to accompany charcuterie and cheeses.

0 to 5 km from the Villa

Morgon & Chiroubles

Morgon: powerful, full-bodied, ageing beautifully. Chiroubles: the lightest of the crus, floral and elegant.

10 to 20 km from the Villa

Moulin-à-Vent & Chénas

Moulin-à-Vent, nicknamed the "King of Beaujolais", and its neighbour Chénas: the most structured crus in the vineyard.

20 to 35 km from the Villa

Our recommended estates

Maison Jambon Saint-Lager · Brouilly

Wine estate right in the heart of Saint-Lager, producing Brouilly and Côte de Brouilly. Direct sales, welcome and tastings by appointment.

Domaine de Voujon Odenas · Brouilly

In Odenas, on the slopes of Mont Brouilly, Domaine de Voujon produces Brouilly and Côte de Brouilly using sustainable viticulture. Direct reception, cellar visit and tasting by appointment.

Heritage & architecture

The villages of the Beaujolais

From Saint-Lager to Lyon, a region where every village holds a story, a terroir, a singular architecture.

Saint-Lager

On-site

The very village where the Villa is located. Vineyards a few steps away, Romanesque church, Mont Brouilly trail departing from the village. Brouilly and Côte de Brouilly find their heartland here.

Odenas

5 min by car

Neighbouring village home to Château de la Chaize, the largest Brouilly estate (205 ha) with a 17th-century baroque château and impressive cellars open to visitors.

Beaujeu

20 min by car

The former capital of the Beaujolais, perched in the Ardières valley. Medieval market, Cave Beaujolaise museum, and the departure of the Beaujolais Nouveau on the third Thursday of November.

Salles-Arbuissonnas

12 min by car

Typical wine village with its remarkable 12th-century Romanesque priory and cloister. Starting point of several vineyard hiking trails.

Vaux-en-Beaujolais

20 min by car

The village that inspired Gabriel Chevallier's "Clochemerle". Museum dedicated to the work, cooperative cellar and café terraces in the shade of lime trees.

Oingt

25 min by car

One of the Most Beautiful Villages of France. A medieval village entirely built in golden stone, with a keep, cobbled lanes and panoramic views over the Beaujolais.

Villefranche-sur-Saône

15 min by car

Capital of the Beaujolais, lively and commercial. Pedestrian Rue Nationale, weekly market, restaurants, wine cellars and Lyonnais bistros.

Lyon

45 min by car

France's gastronomic capital within day-trip reach. Lyonnais bistros, the Presqu'île, and Old Lyon listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Combine with an evening at the Villa.

Gastronomy highlights

Recommended restaurants

A sincere selection — our five favourite addresses within 20 minutes of the Villa.

La Table de Brouilly

€€

Cercié · 5 min

Gastronomic table in the heart of the Brouilly vineyards. Seasonal cuisine showcasing local producers and a refined selection of Beaujolais crus. Terrace with vineyard views.

Gastronomic Vineyard view

À Temps Perdu

€€

Belleville-sur-Saône · 10 min

Generous and convivial bistrot, market cuisine according to daily arrivals. Fine selection of natural wines from the Beaujolais and Loire Valley. Relaxed atmosphere.

Bistrot Natural wines

La Maison des Beaujolais

€€

Saint-Jean-d'Ardières · 15 min

An institution wine-restaurant, over 120 crus for tasting. Regional meals accompanied by wines poured directly from the barrels.

Wine restaurant 120 wines

L'Écume Gourmande

€€€

Charentay · 8 min

Careful family cooking in a countryside setting. Local Beaujolais produce: free-range poultry, regional cheeses, homemade desserts.

Regional cuisine Terrace

La Robe Rouge

€€

Villié-Morgon · 15 min

Warm wine-grower's bistrot, rooted in the Morgon terroir. Direct and honest cooking, food-wine pairings designed with neighbouring winemakers.

Wine bistrot Morgon

Bénédicte and Dominique can advise you and help you book a table. Do not hesitate to ask them on arrival.

From vine to cellar

Tastings & tips from Bénédicte and Dominique

The Beaujolais has more than 2,000 independent wine growers, several of whom are just a few minutes' walk or cycle from the Villa. Many offer cellar visits and free tastings by appointment or without reservation in season.

Bénédicte and Dominique will gladly recommend their trusted wine growers — the ones whose wines also feature at the table d'hôtes. Ask them for the list on arrival.

Villages of character Oingt, Ternand, Beaujeu, Vaux-en-Beaujolais... Bénédicte and Dominique's favourites, between golden stone and medieval lanes.
Independent growers Family farms offering reception, cellar visits and direct sales — 5 minutes from the Villa.
Beaujolais Nouveau Third Thursday of November — village celebrations, tastings at all estates and a festive atmosphere.

Weddings and events

The Beaujolais is a popular destination for celebrations. Villa Saint-Lager can accommodate your guests for a wedding or seminar in the region (Château de la Chaize, wine estates). For any specific enquiry, contact Bénédicte and Dominique.

Contact us

Your questions

Frequently asked questions

Can you hike from Villa Saint-Lager without a car?
Yes. The Mont Brouilly trail (7 km round trip, 2h30) starts directly from the village of Saint-Lager. Several marked circuits cross the Brouilly and Côte de Brouilly vineyards from the Villa.
Are there cycling routes near the Villa?
Yes. The Mont Brouilly loop (~15 km, little elevation gain) is ideal for a family outing. The Belleville–Villefranche-sur-Saône Greenway (~30 km one way) follows the Saône on a paved path. Bicycles are available to hire in Belleville and Villefranche.
How can I visit the Beaujolais wine estates?
Several estates welcome visitors without reservation during the season. Bénédicte and Dominique recommend Maison Jambon in Saint-Lager (within walking distance of the Villa) and Domaine de Voujon in Odenas, less than 10 minutes away. They can guide you according to your tastes on arrival.
Which restaurants do you recommend near the Villa?
Our favourites: La Table de Brouilly in Cercié (gastronomic, 5 min away), À Temps Perdu in Belleville-sur-Saône (generous bistrot), La Maison des Beaujolais in Saint-Jean-d'Ardières, L'Écume Gourmande in Charentay and La Robe Rouge in Villié-Morgon.
Is the region suitable for families with children?
Yes. The hikes are accessible from age 6, the greenways are suitable for children's bicycles, and villages like Oingt or Vaux-en-Beaujolais will delight the whole family. The Villa offers a Mont d'Or + Saint-Rigaud combination to accommodate families.

Ready for the adventure?

Plan my stay
in the heart of the Beaujolais

Book your room at Villa Saint-Lager. Bénédicte and Dominique will send you their personalised recommendations based on your wishes, the season and the length of your stay.