One day in Lyon and Beaujolais

Explore Lyon at your own pace with a hop on-hop off bus tour and then enjoy a guided tour through the Beaujolais wine route, visiting villages and tasting wines along cheeses and local cold meats. See the top attractions and sights that this elegant and sophisticated city has to offer, including the cathedral, the basilicas, Bellecour, Parc des Hauteurs and much more. Lyon straddles the boundary between northern and southern France, a division that is as much cultural as it is climactic. Apart from its links to wine, it was for centuries an important silk production centre thus earning it considerable wealth. These continued periods of prosperity have resulted in the beautiful city of today – one that is now considered to be the gastronomic capital of France.

On the Le Gran Lyon Tour, you will see the stunning basilica of Notre Dame de Fourviere, which is on a hill overlooking the old town. It was built in the 19th century in an unusual style that fused Byzantine and Romanesque architecture. See, too, the immaculately preserved Gothic masterpiece that is the Cathedral of St John. Hop off and wander through the pristine Presqu’ile district, where you will see some of the most beautiful building in Lyon such as the Church of St Nizier, the Hotel Dieu, the city hall and the Basilica of St Martin d'Ainay.

Break for lunch and then meet up again at 1.30 to begin the wine route. Be charmed by picturesque villages in the the heart of the Beaujolais such as St Amour, Julienas, Fleurie, Chiroubles and Morgon, where will stop for a wine tasting at about 4.30pm. Return to Lyon about an hour later.

Meeting point: The Lyon le Grand Tour stop in Place Bellecour at 10am.

Languages: Commentary in French, English, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese and Chinese.

Assistance or guided tour

Admissions

Meal

Drinks

Equipment

Optional meal

At 10.00 am