A Beaujolais day with the right pace. I love the small group (up to 8) and the chance to do two different estate tastings with a guide like Justine. You also get a real sense of the wine process, not just sip-and-smile. One watch-out: lunch isn’t included in the price, though the guide reserves a table for everyone at a set menu starting around €25.

From Lyon, you head through golden stone villages toward Oingt, then you keep rolling through Beaujolais wine country all day long. Expect about 8 to 9 hours total, returning to Lyon between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., depending on traffic. The tour runs with an air-conditioned Mercedes and English is available (and French/English can run side by side if both are in the group).

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Small group size (max 8): you’ll actually hear your guide over the van chatter.
• Two tastings in two areas: you compare styles and thinking, not just pour samples.
• Oingt village time: cobblestones, medieval streets, and vineyard panoramas for a break from wine talk.
• Lunch is reserved, not included: budgeting matters (plan on roughly €25+/person).
• Comfort + pace: air-conditioned Mercedes, snacks during tastings, and a schedule that doesn’t drag.

Entering Beaujolais From Lyon: Why This Tour Works

This is the kind of day trip that feels like it has a plan, not a blur. You start in Lyon at 9:00 a.m. near the Statue of Saint Exupéry on Pl. Bellecour, then spend the day moving through Beaujolais wine country with guided stops that actually change what you’re doing.

The big value is that you’re not stuck only in tastings. You also get a village walk in Oingt, plus time for lunch at Mont Brouilly before heading to a second tasting at Fleurie. That mix matters because wine days can get repetitive if there’s no scenery or context.

This tour is also designed for a calm group size. With a maximum of 8 travelers, you’re less likely to feel like you’re waiting your turn to ask questions. It’s also easier for the guide to adjust when someone wants extra detail about winemaking, aging, or the region’s approach.

Getting There Smoothly: Pl. Bellecour to Golden Stone Villages

The meeting point is easy to find: Pl. Bellecour, by the Statue of Saint Exupéry. That’s one of those practical picks that saves time, especially if you’re starting with a half-day in Lyon before the tour.

Once you’re on the road, you’ll travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned Mercedes. The route is part of the experience. The day includes a drive through Bagnols and Beaujolais des Pierres Dorées, crossing golden stone villages on the way to Oingt. Even if you’ve never heard of that specific area before, the “golden stone” theme gives you a visual hook for the whole day.

One small but important note: the tour information says there are no toilets on board. That doesn’t ruin the day, but it’s the kind of thing you should plan around. If you’re the type who likes to be proactive, you’ll want to use facilities at the stops rather than relying on the van.

Oingt Winery Tasting: 4 to 6 Wines and the How-Not-Just-What

Your first wine stop is in Oingt, at a winery in the south of Beaujolais. This is where the tour earns its keep. You don’t just taste; you get a guided tasting experience with explanations built around what’s happening in the glass.

Here’s what you can expect on site:

• A warm welcome at the winery
• A guided tasting of between 4 and 6 wines
• Lessons on wine growing, winemaking, and wine aging
• About 1 hour 15 minutes on site

The tastings include little snacks during the tasting, which helps you pace yourself. You’ll still want to keep a slow hand with the pours, but the snacks make it easier to stay comfortable during a multi-wine tasting.

A detail worth calling out: the tour includes commented tastings of around 10 wines. Since you have two winery estates in the day, you’re basically building a comparison framework. That makes your second tasting at Fleurie more meaningful, because you’re actively learning how styles can shift from one place to another.

And if you’re worried about the tour being too scripted, the experience is guided with your questions in mind. The tour includes meeting members of the wine estate, which usually turns tastings from a lecture into something more personal. In the reviews, that meeting with staff and owners came up as a highlight, because it’s a real connection to the people behind the wine.

The Oingt Village Break: Cobblestones, Views, and Medieval Streets

After the first tasting, you shift gears. There’s about 30 minutes in the village of Oingt, with time to discover its cobblestone streets and well-preserved medieval architecture.

This stop is short on purpose, and that’s a good thing. It gives you:

• A break from sitting and tasting
• A chance to walk at an easy pace
• Panoramic views over the surrounding vineyards

When a wine tour includes a village like this, you’re not just consuming. You’re grounding the wine in a place. In practical terms, that also helps with memory. Later, when you’re tasting at the second estate, you’ll likely find it easier to recall the visual cues from Oingt—stone streets, rooflines, and those vineyard views.

Don’t expect a full guided history tour of the town. The focus is on seeing the place and absorbing the atmosphere within a tight time window.

Passing Through Beaujolais Villages: Time on the Road, Time to Notice

Between the Oingt village time and lunch, the itinerary includes passage through Beaujolais wine villages. You’ll be in transit, but it’s not wasted transit. The guiding approach here seems to treat the drive as part of the storytelling.

On days like this, the bus ride can either feel like dead time or like a moving preview. With the golden stone areas and the constant shift of terrain, it’s more of the second. You get a sense that Beaujolais isn’t one single backdrop; it changes as you head north and west.

This is also when the guide is likely to fill in context while you’re traveling, and you’ll appreciate it once you’re back in tastings. If you’re the type who likes to connect production to geography, this time helps.

Mont Brouilly Lunch: Reservation Included, Menu Starts Around €25

Lunch is at Mont Brouilly, and this is one place where you need to plan. The tour does not include lunch in the price, but the guide makes a restaurant reservation for all participants.

The information provided is clear:

• Lunch is around 1 hour 30 minutes
• Restaurant daily menus from about €25 per person
• You’ll be able to taste regional cuisine and pair it with local wines (depending on what’s offered at that lunch spot)

So, what’s the practical advantage of “lunch reservation made for you” if it costs extra? It means you’re not hunting for food while the rest of the group waits. It also reduces the risk of ending up at a random spot that’s either too touristy or too slow.

A good strategy: check your appetite after the Oingt tasting. If you’ve already tasted several wines, you may want to start lunch with lighter options and save the heavier dishes for later. Also, since alcohol is involved and you’ll be driving afterward, pacing helps both your comfort and your overall enjoyment.

And yes—bring that sense of humor. Wine country lunch can turn into a friendly group buzz fast.

Fleurie Estate Tasting: Comparing Terroirs in Another Winery

After lunch, the tour heads north to Fleurie, where the famous wines await. This second tasting is at a second estate, again with a guided approach.

You’ll get:

• A tasting of 4 to 6 wines
• About 1 hour 30 minutes
• Time to learn about terroirs, grape varieties, and winemaking techniques

This is a smart structure because it changes the question you’re asking while tasting. In Oingt, you’re learning the fundamentals of the region’s winemaking and aging. In Fleurie, you’re shifting your attention toward what differentiates places within Beaujolais—how inputs and choices translate into flavors.

If you like to compare rather than just collect tastes, this part is a highlight. The included guide support also matters. With a small group and a guide at your disposal throughout the journey, you’re not trapped with a take-it-or-leave-it script.

Again, the tour includes meeting estate staff. In the reviews, that human element stood out as part of why the day felt more authentic than a quick commercial tasting.

Returning to Lyon: Timing, Traffic, and a Finished Glass-Not-Exhausted Feeling

At the end of the day you return to Lyon. Return timing depends on traffic, but you should plan to arrive back between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Since the tour runs about 8 to 9 hours, you’ll have a full day of movement and tastings—but not one that leaves you totally wiped out if you pace yourself.

One practical tip: don’t schedule something important right after the return. Even with a well-run tour, traffic can shift arrival times. Instead, plan a dinner near your hotel or in a place you already know.

Also remember the tour doesn’t include water in the vehicle. You’ll want to bring your own bottle. It’s one of those tiny logistics that can make the day feel smoother, especially if you get warm during the day’s driving.

Price and Value: What You’re Paying For (and What You’re Not)

At $178.84 per person, this tour costs a lot for a day trip—but you’re buying a package, not just transportation. What’s included:

• Two tastings in two areas, with fees included
• Commented tastings of around 10 wines
• Meeting members of the wine estate
• A guided day with a specialized local guide
• Air-conditioned Mercedes transport
• Snacks during tastings
• A small group of up to 8 travelers

What’s not included:

• Lunch
• Water in the vehicle
• Toilets on board (so plan around that)

If you compare this to DIY logistics, the value gets clearer. You’re essentially outsourcing driving, timing, and entry fees, while getting guided wine context and access to estate people. For people who don’t want to rent a car in rural Burgundy/Beaujolais-adjacent areas, this kind of structured day usually pays off fast.

The only real cost “surprise” is lunch. Since menus start around €25 per person, you can estimate your total up front without getting blindsided.

Who This Beaujolais Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Skip It)

This tour fits best if you want:

• Guided wine tasting with real explanations (not just tasting notes)
• A small-group day (up to 8)
• Two estates in one day so you can compare
• A mix of wine and walking time in Oingt

You might skip it if:

• You hate anything schedule-based, because the day is structured from start to finish
• You’re very sensitive to alcohol-centric activities, even though alcoholic beverages are reserved for people 18+
• You need frequent toilet access on board, since there’s no toilet in the vehicle

If you’re visiting Lyon and you want to see Beaujolais without turning your trip into a car rental puzzle, this day trip is an easy match.

Should You Book This Beaujolais Day Guided Tour?

Book it if you want a smooth, small-group introduction to Beaujolais with enough tasting time to learn something, plus a real pause for the Oingt village walk. The two-estate structure is the main reason to choose this tour—it helps you compare instead of just collecting sips. And the guide experience matters here; Justine’s blend of friendliness and clear wine teaching is repeatedly called out as a driver of the day’s quality.

Skip it if your idea of a perfect day is total freedom and zero schedule. This is a guided day. It’s also a day where lunch costs extra, so budget a bit beyond the base price.

If you’re on the fence, I’d make the decision based on your priorities. If you want wine context, small-group comfort, and a memorable route through golden stone villages, this is the kind of tour that tends to satisfy.

FAQ

What time does the tour start, and where do I meet?

It starts at 9:00 a.m. at the Statue of Saint Exupéry, Pl. Bellecour, 69002 Lyon, France.

How long is the Beaujolais day tour?

Plan for about 8 to 9 hours total.

How many tastings and how many wines should I expect?

You’ll have two tastings at two different estates, with guided tastings of 4 to 6 wines at each stop. The tour also mentions commented tastings of around 10 wines overall.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included. The guide reserves a table at a local restaurant, with daily menus starting around €25 per person.

What’s included in the price?

Included items are the two tastings (fees included), commented wine tastings (around 10 wines), meeting estate members, snacks during tastings, and comfortable air-conditioned Mercedes transportation with guidance throughout.

Is there water on the vehicle during the tour?

Water is not included in the vehicle. It’s recommended that you bring your bottle.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance of the start time for a full refund. If you cancel later than 24 hours before, you won’t receive a refund. The tour may also be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn’t met.