Page 222 - Lonely Planet France’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

of the Pouilly-Fuissé ap-
WHEN BEAUJEU GOES WILD pellation. You can attend
tastings at various cellars
A colourful time to motor in Beaujeu is around the around town or, for the
third week in November. At the stroke of midnight ultimate experience, at
on the third Thursday (ie Wednesday night), the the magnificent Château
libération (release) or mise en perce (tapping; de Fuissé (%03 85 35 61
opening) of the first bottles of cherry-bright 44; www.chateau-fuisse.fr;
Beaujolais Nouveau is celebrated around France and Le Plan, Pouilly-Fuissé; hby
the world. In Beaujeu there’s free Beaujolais Nouveau reservation).
for all as part of the Sarmentelles de Beaujeu – a
giant street party that kicks off on the Wednesday The Drive » From Fuissé
leading up to the Beaujolais Nouveau’s release for follow signs to Chasselas
five days of wine tasting, live music and dancing. along the D172. After about
3.5km, turn right onto the D31
(direction Tramayes). Drive
a delightful estate; tours www.saint-amour-en-paradis. another 2km to a right-hand
turn onto the D54 (direction
can be arranged by phon- com; En Paradis; h10am- Solutré-Pouilly). Count on 15
ing ahead. No doubt you’ll 6pm). This award-winning minutes for the 7km trip.
be struck by the cellars, domaine run by the fifth
the longest in the region. generation of vintners
Tours can be followed by welcomes visitors to TRIP HIGHLIGHT
an aperi’vin (tasting and its intimate cellars and c Roche de Solutré
snacks; €16). Another at- sells St-Amour wines at A lovely 20-minute walk
mospheric venture set in unbeatable prices. along the Sentier des
a disused church, Cellier 4 p221 Roches will get you to
de la Vieille Église (%04 the top of the rocky out-
74 04 42 98; Le Bourg; h10am- The Drive » Follow the D186 crop known as the Roche
12.30pm & 3-6pm, closed Tue towards Chânes. In Bourgneuf, de Solutré (493m), from
ALPS, JURA & RHÔNE VALLEY 19 BEAujOLAIS VILLAGES
Oct-Apr) is a great place to take the D31 to St-Vérand. where Mont Blanc can
sip wines of the Juliénas From St-Vérand, follow signs to sometimes be seen, espe-
appellation. Chaintré and continue to Fuissé.
It’s a 10km trip from St-Amour. cially at sunset. For some
4 p221 cultural sustenance,
make a beeline for the
The Drive » Follow the road TRIP HIGHLIGHT nearby Musée Départe-
to St-Amour Bellevue along the b Fuissé mental de Préhistoire de
D17e and the D486ter (3.5km Solutré (%03 85 35 85 24;
from Juliénas). If you like peace, quiet
and sigh-inducing views, www.musees-bourgogne.org;
you’ll love this absolutely Solutré; adult/child €3.50/free;
a St-Amour picturesque stone town h10am-6pm Apr-Sep, 10am-
Bellevue nestled in a small valley noon & 2-5pm Oct-Mar, closed
Dec), which displays finds
carpeted by manicured
Not to be missed in St- vineyards. You’ve now left from one of Europe’s
Amour: the Domaine des Beaujolais – Fuissé is part richest prehistoric sites.
Vignes du Paradis – Pas- of Burgundy. It’s famous
cal Durand (%03 85 36 52 97; for its prestigious whites 5 p221

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