Oingt’s ochre stone houses and vineyard views give this day its special character. You get two very different French villages plus a personal wine visit, all without changing trains or worrying about country roads. It is a good way to trade Lyon’s city streets for the Beaujolais hills.

I like the private Mercedes minivan and the small family winery, where you meet the winemaker instead of simply standing at a tasting counter. I also like the generous time in Oingt, which leaves room for village views, wine talk, and a slower look at the Golden Stones Country.

The main drawback is the price: $940.04 for up to four people is strong value for a full private day, but less appealing for one or two people. Lunch is also extra, and Pérouges receives only about 75 minutes, including 30 minutes of free time.

Key points at a glance

• Oingt and the Golden Stones Country: See ochre-coloured medieval villages, castles, vineyards, and broad views across Beaujolais.
• A family winery visit: Taste four to five Beaujolais wines and learn about winemaking directly from a local producer.
• Pérouges in 75 minutes: Walk cobbled lanes and see houses dating from the 13th to 16th centuries.
• Private transport for up to four: Ride in a Mercedes deluxe minivan with your own group and English-speaking guide.
• A full day from Lyon: The tour begins at 9:00 a.m. and lasts about 8 hours and 15 minutes.
• Lunch costs extra: Menus are available from about €20 per person, so budget for that separately.

Why this private day works from Lyon

The appeal is simple: Beaujolais and Pérouges are close enough to combine, but different enough to keep the day fresh. Oingt gives you hills, vines, warm-coloured stone, and wine. Pérouges gives you a compact medieval town where the streets and buildings provide the main show.

You leave Lyon at 9:00 a.m. in private transportation. Since only your group participates, the day can feel more personal than a large coach excursion. You are not waiting for dozens of people at every stop, and you can ask questions as you go.

The vehicle is a Mercedes deluxe minivan. That matters on a countryside day, since the tour includes several hours of movement between Lyon, Beaujolais, the winery, and Pérouges. The group limit is four people, making this best for a family, two couples, or friends who want a private outing.

The guide is an English-speaking wine specialist. The tour provider is KANPAI TOURISME, and Olivier Delalande is identified with the company and has led wine days in French, English, and Spanish. Julie has also guided a Pérouges and wine excursion for the company. Your specific guide should be confirmed when you book, but the operator’s small-team approach is useful if language and personal attention matter to you.

Oingt and the Golden Stones Country

Oingt is the first major stop, and the tour allows about three hours for the Beaujolais section. That time includes the village, the surrounding countryside, a vineyard inspection, and the winery visit.

The area is known as the Golden Stones Country because many villages were built with honey-coloured ochre limestone. The colour changes with the light, giving the old houses and walls a warm look that is quite different from the grey stone you often see elsewhere in France.

As you pass through the region, you may see other small medieval settlements and old castles. The experience is not just about reaching Oingt and taking a few photographs. The route itself helps you understand how wine villages, hilltop buildings, and farmland fit together.

Oingt is listed among France’s 157 most beautiful towns. The label matters less than the setting: the village offers panoramic views over rolling hills marked by vineyards. Bring a camera, but also give yourself time to look beyond the nearest roofline. The wide views are one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour over a city-only day.

The village portion should suit you if you enjoy walking through historic places without needing a long list of formal monuments. The pleasure comes from the stone lanes, old buildings, views, and the sense of a lived-in rural village.

The tradeoff is that Oingt is not presented as a long museum visit with a series of major interiors. If you want extensive guided access to castles or a dense schedule of named sights, this may feel relaxed rather than packed. For many people, that is exactly the point.

Meeting a winemaker instead of rushing through a tasting

The winery visit gives the Beaujolais portion more depth. You enter a small family winery, inspect the vineyards privately, and meet the winemaker. The focus is on history, local soil, tradition, and how the wine is made.

Four to five Beaujolais wines are included. That is enough to compare styles without turning the afternoon into an exhausting drinking session. Your guide also brings wine knowledge, so you can ask about what you are tasting rather than simply receiving a glass and a label.

This setup is especially useful if you know little about Beaujolais. The name is often linked to Beaujolais Nouveau, but this tour presents the area as a serious wine region with different producers and local character. The supplied tour information does not specify the exact bottles or appellations served, so do not book expecting a fixed tasting list.

Past wine outings led by Olivier have included visits to producers in both southern and northern Beaujolais. That suggests the operator has connections with smaller domaines rather than relying only on large commercial cellars, though the exact winery on your day is not named in advance.

That uncertainty is worth noting. A small producer visit can be more personal and educational, but it may be less polished than a large tasting room. If you want a highly structured presentation with a shop full of bottles and formal tasting notes, ask what kind of winery is planned when confirming your booking.

The vineyard inspection is another useful touch. You see where the wine begins, not just where it ends up in a glass. Even if you are already familiar with French wine, the combination of village scenery, vines, and direct contact with the producer gives the day a stronger local feel.

Planning lunch without losing the day

Lunch is not included. Menus begin at about €20 per person, but the supplied details do not name the restaurant or explain the menu. Plan on paying separately, and ask the provider for the expected lunch arrangement before departure if food is important to your day.

This is a small but meaningful planning point. A full day that begins at 9:00 a.m. needs a meal, and a private tour gives you a chance to discuss timing with the guide. Still, you should not assume that a particular restaurant, dish, or wine pairing is part of the package.

If local food is a priority, leave room in your budget for more than the basic €20 starting price. The regional specialty specifically mentioned later in Pérouges is the galette, a local pancake. You have only 30 minutes of free time there, so it may work better as a snack or dessert than as your main meal.

Walking into medieval Pérouges

After Beaujolais, the tour visits the Cité Médiévale de Pérouges. The scheduled time is about 1 hour and 15 minutes, including 30 minutes of free time.

Pérouges is a compact medieval town with cobbled streets and old houses dating from the 13th through the 16th centuries. Its appearance is so well preserved that it has been used as a setting for films, including The Three Musketeers.

The village invites a slow walk, but the timing keeps you moving. Your guide introduces the architecture and French history, then you receive half an hour to browse small craft shops or try a galette. That free time is welcome, though it is not long enough for a leisurely meal, extensive shopping, and an unhurried circuit of every lane.

Wear shoes you can walk comfortably in. Cobblestones are part of Pérouges’s charm, but they also make the footing uneven. The tour information says most people can participate, yet anyone with walking concerns should ask the operator for more detail before booking.

Pérouges is the more concentrated stop of the two. Oingt spreads into the surrounding hills and vineyards, while Pérouges gives you a close look at medieval buildings in a small area. If old towns are your main interest, you may wish the schedule allowed longer there. If wine and countryside matter more, the balance makes sense.

The galette is one of the nice local details. It is not included, so carry some spending money if you want to try one. The tour does not specify the filling or style, so ask at the shop or café what is available that day.

What the price means for your group

The listed price is $940.04 per group of up to four people. At full capacity, that works out to about $235 per person before lunch. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher, so the economics change quickly with group size.

You are paying for a private vehicle, an 8-hour-15-minute day, an English-speaking wine guide, the winery visit, four to five tastings, and the convenience of departing from Lyon. You are not paying only for entry to two villages. The value comes from transportation, route planning, local wine access, and having one guide connect the places into a single day.

I see the strongest value for four people who want a private experience and would otherwise need to arrange a car, a driver, and separate winery appointments. It is also useful if you are not comfortable driving after wine tasting.

For one person or a couple, compare the price with a shared group tour before booking. A private day can still be worth it if you care about a quiet vehicle and direct questions, but it is not the budget choice.

The price does not include lunch, and the information does not list extra admission costs beyond the included Pérouges entry. Bring money for food and the galette, plus any purchases at the winery or craft shops.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want three things in one outing: rural scenery, a serious but friendly wine tasting, and a historic French village. It suits first-time visitors to Lyon who want to see more of the region without giving up a private guide.

It is also a good fit for people who prefer conversation to a rigid lecture. The operator’s guides have worked in several languages, including English, French, and Spanish, and Olivier’s role as a wine specialist can add useful context for both beginners and wine fans.

Families can participate, since most people are able to join, but remember that the day includes wine as a central feature and walking on cobblestones. Children may enjoy the village scenery and old streets, though the tasting portion is aimed at adults.

You may want a different plan if your priority is a long, formal château tour, a large number of wineries, or several hours in Pérouges. This is a carefully balanced countryside day, not a wine marathon or a detailed archaeological visit.

Practical details before you reserve

Pickup is offered, and the stated start time is 9:00 a.m. The experience lasts approximately 8 hours and 15 minutes, so you should keep the evening fairly open rather than scheduling a tight dinner reservation in Lyon.

The activity is private, meaning only your group takes part. The vehicle is a Mercedes deluxe minivan, and the package includes private transportation.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

The listing says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed information about step-free access, vehicle adaptations, or the exact amount of walking. If those details affect your decision, contact KANPAI TOURISME before paying.

Should you book the Oingt and Pérouges tour?

Book it if you want a polished private day that mixes Beaujolais wine with two very different historic settings. The strongest parts are the small family winery, the chance to speak with a winemaker, the views around Oingt, and the comfort of private transport from Lyon.

Think carefully if your group is small and price matters. At full capacity, the cost is easier to justify. For two people, it becomes a premium purchase, and you should decide how much private guiding and direct winery access are worth to you.

I would also confirm the lunch plan and the specific guide before booking. Olivier has led multilingual wine outings for the company, and Julie has guided Pérouges visits, but the assigned guide and winery are not guaranteed in the supplied details.

For a group of four that wants countryside, local wine, and a memorable medieval village without renting a car, this is a strong choice. It gives you a full day beyond Lyon while keeping the pace personal and manageable.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately 8 hours and 15 minutes.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation in a Mercedes deluxe minivan is included, and pickup is offered.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers a private group of up to four people.

How many wines are included in the tasting?

The winery visit includes a tasting of four to five Beaujolais wines.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Menus are available from about €20 per person.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.