Page 218 - Lonely Planet France’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

# e 0 0 2.5 miles
5 km
19 Beaujolais
Villages

Ah, Beaujolais, where the unhurried life is
complemented by rolling vineyards, beguiling villages,
old churches, splendid estates and country roads
that twist into the hills. Once you’ve left Villefranche-
sur-Saône, a rural paradise awaits and a sense of
escapism becomes tangible. Be sure to factor in
plenty of time for wine tasting.

#
# Beaujeu
5
The Drive » At a roundabout
1 Villefranche-sur- about 800m south of the 0 ¸
D337
Saône Collégiale, look out for the
brown sign to ‘Route des Vins du
Your trip begins with a Beaujolais’. Pass through Gleizé,
stroll along lively rue Na- Lacenas, Denicé, St-Julien and Mont Brouilly#
#
4
tionale, where you’ll find Blacé before reaching Salles-
most of the shops and the Arbuissonas-en-Beaujolais.
Gothic Collégiale Notre- Count on a good half-hour to
cover the 16km trip.
Dame des Marais, which RHÔNE # \
boasts an elegant facade
and a soaring spire. An 2 Salles- 0 ¸
excellent starting point Vaux-en- D133
for oenophiles, the tour- Arbuissonnas-en- Beaujolais # #
\ 3
ist office (%04 74 07 27 40; Beaujolais #
www.villefranche-beaujolais.fr; As you pass through / ·
D35
#
96 rue de la Sous-Préfecture; Salles-Arbuissonnas, #
2
h9am-6pm Mon-Sat May-Sep, keep an eye out for the Salles-
10am-5pm Mon-Sat Oct-Apr) superb 10th-century Arbuissonnas
houses the Espace des priory (%04 74 07 31 94; rue en Beaujolais
Vins du Beaujolais, where du Chapitre; museum adult/
you’ll have the chance to child €4.50/free; hmuseum
learn about and sample 10am-12.30pm & 2-5pm Apr-
the Beaujolais’ 12 AOCs Oct) and the adjoining
(Appellations d’Origine Roman cloister.
Contrôlée).
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