What to do and where to go out in the Beaujolais area?
Oenotourism | Events Calendar
Discovering the village of Clochemerle
The village of Clochemerle-en-Beaujolais is famous for being the backdrop in Gabriel Chevallier's novel "Clochemerle". The author was inspired by the village and the daily lives of its inhabitants, recounted in this 1934 satirical book. The work was a huge success: the novel was translated into several different languages and adapted for television. The former high street was renamed Gabriel Chevallier paying homage to the writer, whose work left its mark on Vaux-en-Beaujolais, often called "Clochemerle-en-Vaux".
Discover the oenotouristic attractions in this area where you will find a number of references to this humorous, burlesque novel, such as the magnificent fresco depicting the characters (awarded the "Pinceau d'Or" prize in 2012), the public urinal, the theatrical merry-go-round and the museum dedicated to Gabriel Chevallier, as well as the Vaux-en-Beaujolais cellar with its illustrations taken from the novel's story. Here you will have the opportunity to discover this wine region's vintages thanks to its tasting sessions, and also take home some delicious beverages from its shop.
Vineyards and villages in the Beaujolais area
Renowned across the world, Beaujolais wine comes from the vineyards in the area found to the north of Lyon, surrounded by the Saône valley, the Loire river and the Massif Central. It is the home to 12 AOC wines (including Beaujolais, Brouilly, Saint-Amour and Morgon). Every year, on the third Thursday of November, "Beaujolais Nouveau Day" is celebrated throughout France to mark the uncorking of the young fruity Beaujolais Nouveau red wine. It is an excellent opportunity to discover the various white, red and rosé wines that give the area its reputation during cellar visits and tasting sessions.
Explore the Beaujolais Wine Route, along which you will find Vaux-en-Beaujolais. This 140 km-long route will take you through beautiful villages full of character in the area surrounding the Auberge de Clochemerle on the way to Lyon. You are sure to fall under the spell of these charming, picturesque villages, such as the brightly coloured villages in the region of the "Pierres Dorées" to the south of Villefranche-sur-Saône and the village of Oingt, listed among France's most beautiful villages.
Hiking, walking and mountain biking enthusiasts will be thrilled to explore this natural area. The region offers visitors a wide variety of different landscapes, particularly the Beaujolais Vert region: lakes, forests, vineyards and picturesque villages are all waiting to be discovered.
Discovering Lyon
At less than an hour away from the Auberge de Clochemerle, Lyon is city steeped in history. Enjoy exploring its various districts as you discover the city: the old town, the peninsula with its classical architecture and bustling cultural scene, the Croix-Rousse hill, the Les Canuts district, and the Fourvière hill. Art and history buffs will be delighted to discover the city's many museums: the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the Musée des Confluences, the Musée d’Art Contemporain, and more.
