Beaujolais Wine & Villages

Introduction
Auvergne France
Discover the Beaujolais wine region (north of Lyon) and learn about the renown Beaujolais nouveau.

Apart from its strong winemaking tradition, the region is famous for its charming villages such as the Pierres Dorées villages, where the ochre and golden shades of the houses add a warm touch.
History buffs will enjoy visiting castles and churches, but also the cadoles (dry-stone vineyard huts) while wine lovers will be delighted to learn about different wine crus such as Brouilly or Juliénas. 
For nature enthusiats, the Beaujolais region offers countless of marked trails in the heart of a landscape made up of valleys and hills where meadows, forests and vineyards alternate.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so nights are spent in different locations.

Description
Accommodation is in B&B or hotels. Double or Twin room, possibility of single but with supplement.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel Brouilly in Quincié en Beaujolais
Night 2: Ferme du Chapi in Val d'Oingt
Night 3: Chateau des Loges in Le Pérreon
Night 4: Noemy's Hotel in Villié-Morgon
Night 5: La Grange du Bois in Pouilly
Night 6: Hotel des Grands Vins in Fleurie 
Night 7: Hotel Brouilly in Quincié en Beaujolais

Hotel Brouilly in Quincié en Beaujolais
This small hotel has 28 modern bedrooms that come equipped with a TV, free Wi-Fi access and a private bathroom. The hotel has a small garden and an outdoor pool where guests can relax in the evening.

Ferme du Chapi in Val d'Oingt
This charming farmhouse offers cozy guestrooms with free internet connexion. Bathrooms might need to be shared. Guests are welcome to go for a walk in the lovely garden. There is also a Library and some board games available in the common areas.

Chateau des Loges in Le Pérreon
This beautiful hotel is housed in a castle dating back to the 18th century. Each of the 10 rooms have their own unique décor and they all feature private facilities, a flat-screen TV as well as free Wi-Fi. The castle is surrounded by gardens.

Noemy's Hotel in Villié-Morgon
This modern property offers comfortable rooms with ensuite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi internet access. The outdoor pool, garden and patio ensure a relaxing evening for guests.

La Grange du Bois in Pouilly
Tonight, you will sleep in a lovely stonehouse with great views over the surrounding vineyards. The rooms are simple but comfortable and they are all equipped with Wi-Fi access. Bathrooms might have to be shared.

Hotel des Grands Vins in Fleurie
This 20-bedroom hotel features an outdoor pool and a patio. The rooms have a modern décor and come with a TV, a private bathroom and free internet connexion.

Room Occupancy
We try our best to match you with a roommate, but if this is not possible you may be placed in single room with a supplement to be paid.



Meals
All meals are included.

Continental breakfasts served at your accommodation.
The lunches are buffets with a wide choice (adapted to particular diets) with wine.
Dinner in the bed and breakfast, restaurant or hotel (wine not included for dinner, and other extras).

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with prior notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding Ability
This ride is open to riders who are comfortable and in control at all 4 paces (walk, rising trot, canter and gallop in a forward seat) on varied terrain, in open spaces and practice a regular habit of riding. There are certain sections of the trail where we need to lead the horses. It is recommended that you be in good physical condition in order to participate. Previous experience of trail rides over a number of days would be beneficial but is not required.

Pace
The pace is varied depending on the terrain, with long periods of walk and plenty of opportunities to canter and gallop.

Horses
Most of our horses were born on the farm. They live in herds in a 70 acre field and this is what makes them strong. This social lifestyle is very close to their ideal living conditions, which is a natural environment.
Every horse has its own character, but all are gentle, balanced, and multi-talented.
The horses are a mixture of purebred Arabian and Paint horses as well as Arabian/Paint crossbreds and Thoroughbreds.
The relationship with the riders and our horses is crucial. Above all, we place attention on the welfare and education of our horses.

Tack
Our saddles are a French trail saddle (JMS brands), which blend the best of English and western styles to make the perfect trail saddle. Horses will work in bridles with Myler bits. Helmets are not mandatory but are strongly recommended.
Our team will take care of tacking up the horses during this ride.

Logistics
There is a support van for the transport of luggage and riders. It is possible for a rider or a non-riding companion to follow along the horse riders in the van.
We ask the riders to have only one suitcase (size 69x47x27) and one handbag.

Group Size & Staff
Riding groups have a minimum of 5 and maximum of 10 riders, plus the Guide and the Translator.
David (GTE/ BPJEPS TE) is a certified Equestrian Tour Guide. He creates the routes and leads all the riding tours. He is also a trainer of apprentice instructors in Equestrian Tourism.
Britta is your riding companion and translator (English, Dutch, German, and Spanish). She is always available to facilitate any language concerns.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

The itinerary may be modified at any time for security reasons, meteorological or other events beyond our control such as blocked roads, rivers in flood, drought, strikes, and local holidays. We will always strive to find the best solution and will alter the itinerary as needed.

Important note: The specific level required is the "confirmed rider level".
As a qualified professional of equestrian tourism in France, it is important for the safety of the groups of riders we receive that everyone has the required riding level (see description below).
A person, who doesn't have the required level, causes difficulties for the staff and other participants, with consequences on the good progress of the stay for everyone.
Therefore, we will test riders on horseback on the 1st day before departure on the trail.
If from the first day we judge that a rider doesn't have the required level for horseback riding, he/she will not continue on horseback. They will continue their stay with the logistics team. They will be able to make all the scheduled visits, and eat with the riders for lunch and dinner.
This decision will be made without any refund on the stay.
If, due to poor physical condition, riders ask to stop riding, they are still liable for the 300 euros we charge for transporting the horse.

Our rides are for the experienced rider who has mastered all 4 paces (walk, rising trot, canter/gallop in a forward seat) on varied terrains and in open spaces. The experienced rider rides regularly, has good physical fitness, has good soft hands, a good attitude, and self-confidence. He controls the speed and direction of the horse in all circumstances. He can ride long distances including gallops of several minutes in open terrain.
Participants need to have experience riding on English-style saddles.  They need to know how to ride in balance: two point position.


Day 1: Arrival
Riders with vehicles may arrive in the late afternoon to the first night accommodation in Quincié en Beaujolais. For non-motorised riders, pick-up transfer at 6.30 pm from the Belleville sur Saône train station.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Quincié en Beaujolais

Day 2: Quincié-en-Beaujolais to Oingt
Breakfast at 8 am and departure on horseback at 10 am. We start from Quincié-en-Beaujolais, which offers a diversity of landscapes between vineyards, forest and moorland. Bernard Pivot (French journalist and writer) is a child of Quincié. We will stop for a picnic at the Château de Talancé (tasting). This castle, built during the 16th century, is situated in the heart of a sumptuous 5-hectare park. After a moment of relaxation in this beautiful park, we continue our ride toward the village of Oingt, the only village classified as "Plus beaux Villages de France" in the Rhône. Oingt is a charming medieval village in the Pays des Pierres Dorées, a group of villages with beautiful golden hues. The picturesque charm of Oingt also comes from the numerous shops that line its streets: you will be spoilt for choice between the pottery, jewellery, sculptures, paintings and blown glass offered by the artists and craftsmen of Oingt!
We leave the horses at their evening stop and head to the hotel where we will spend the night.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Oingt

Day 3: Oingt to Le Pérreon
Today, we continue our ride in the "Beaujolais" appellation vineyards. We arrive at the castle of Montmelas Saint Sorlin juts in time for our picnic lunch. This castle, which seems to have come straight out of a fairytale, is one of the jewels of the Beaujolais region. Dating from the 10th century, the castle of Montmelas belonged for a long time to the Sires de Beaujeu, until it became the property of the Arod de Montmelas, whose descendants are still the owners today.
The castle was entirely restructured during the 19th century by an architect from Lyon who was a pupil of Viollet-le-Duc. For the record, the French television series "Kaamelott" by Alexandre Astier, which was inspired by the legend of King Arthur, was partly shot in this castle. Later, we continue our day through a new appellation: "Les Beaujolais Villages" to reach our evening stop with our horses.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Le Pérreon

Day 4: Le Pérreon to Villié-Morgon
Today, we sail between the rows of Beaujolais Villages vines to get to Mont-Brouilly, where we stop for our picnic lunch. We are in the third appellation of our stay: "Côte de Brouilly", the most central of the Beaujolais Crus. The Mont Brouilly is immediately recognizable with its vine-covered slopes. Culminating at an altitude of 484 metres, this remarkable highlight of the Beaujolais landscape, an emblem of the region, has the Notre-Dame-des-Raisins Chapel at its summit. the chapel was built in 1854 to protect the vineyards from bad weather and disease. After enjoying the view from Mont-Brouilly, we cross the appellations of Régnié, Morgon and Chiroules to reach our evening stopover in the commune of Villié-Morgon. We leave the horses at their evening stop and are transferred to the hotel where we will spend the night.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Villié-Morgon

Day 5: Villié-Morgon to Pouilly
We leave the vineyards to go to the "Col de la Sibérie" at 638 m of altitude and discover splendid panoramas over the Saône valley and the Alps, without forgetting the magnificent view on the Mont Blanc.
This magical place welcomes us for today's picnic. We then continue riding towards the Roche de Solutré. Culminating at 495 metres, the Roche de Solutré is situated in the heart of the Grand Site de France, which consists of Solutré, Pouilly and Vergisson. On arrival at our evening stop with our horses, a wine tasting awaits us.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Pouilly

Day 6: Pouilly to Fleurie
Our ride for the day brings us back to the Beaujolais appellations, and this time it is the "Juliénas" that we discover. The most "Parisian" of the Beaujolais Crus. While returning to the vineyards, we also learn about the cadoles which are small buildings built in the middle of the vines which were essentially used as shelter for the wine grower.
The Château Juliénas opens its doors to us for a delicious lunch buffet and a tasting. Dating from the 13th century and owned by the Lords of Beaujeu, the Château de Juliénas has always been a wine estate. The authentic vaulted cellars made of local stone date from 1744. Today, the estate has 40 hectares of Juliénas, Fleurie and Moulin-à-Vent, making it the largest vineyard in the Juliénas appellation.
At the end of the day, we arrive in Fleurie which is also one of the Beaujolais appellations.
We leave the horses at their evening stop and head to the hotel where we spend the night.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Fleurie

Day 7: Fleurie to Quincié en Beaujolais
Fleurie is one of the most beautiful villages in the Beaujolais. For our last riding day, we ride across the vineyards of the "Beaujolais Villages", and go to the village of Lantignié for our picnic. We will pass by the Château de la Salle. It is an example of the traditional habitat of the region with outbuildings, bread oven, winegrower's dwelling, cellar... It has an astonishing 50m façade. The foundations date from the 10th century.
After our lunch break, we continue our ride through this vineyard landscape in order to arrive at our evening stop in Quincié en Beaujolais.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Quincié en Beaujolais

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast (between 9 and 10 am), and depending on train times, we will transfer you to Belleville sur Saône TGV station.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Beaujolais Wine & Villages

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Quincié en Beaujolais
Airport: Paris CDG airport
Transfer: Belleville sur Saône train station

Climate:
                                            Oingt area