Best Wine Tours in Lyon

The city of Lyon has some of the best wineries in the country. Its wines are varied and characterised by their richness and complexity of flavours. Visiting the local wineries is an adventure, with roots going back centuries and production techniques passed down from generation to generation, they are real gems. Plus, a visit will allow you to taste a variety of varieties right where they're made.

So if you're a wine lover and love to explore, a wine tour is one of the best things to do in Lyon, as it's a great way to experience the local culture. If you don't know where to start, don't worry, I have specially selected for you the best wine tours in and around Lyon, so you don't have to worry about anything and can enjoy a wide variety of unique wines.

This is an experience that takes you to discover and taste the best of French wine, while learning about the world of wine production. The tour is completely intimate, as you will sit at the table of a professional sommelier with a group of no more than 6 participants in total.

You will be able to ask as many questions as you like and have the opportunity to fully appreciate every detail of this activity. The experience takes place outside the bustling area of Lyon, in a modernised flat, which in the 19th century in France, used to be a silk factory.

The activity starts with a glass of sparkling wine, then you will move to the table, where you will taste 3 varieties of white wine and 3 of red wine. In the process you will learn the wine tasting technique step by step while discovering all the secrets of the professionals. And, of course, to accompany the fine wines, you will have a board with the best local cheeses, cold meats, seasonal fruit and delicious artisan bread.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 224 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours in total.
• Means of transport: the transfer is at your own expense.
• Advantage of this option: the area is accessible by public transport.
• Disadvantage of this option: it has limitations for wheelchair users.

On this tour, you will be driven in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle through the southern part of Beaujolais, stopping at sites such as the medieval village of Oingt, Saint-Laurent-d'Oingt and Cogny. The driver and guide will tell you about the local wine production, and the highlight of the experience will be a wine tasting in a local cellar by a professional wine maker.

Beaujolais is known for its quiet villages and picturesque stone buildings. On numerous occasions, this mountainous region has been compared to Tuscany because of its beauty and atmosphere. This is one of the best day tour options from Lyon, so you can't miss it.

It is definitely an exceptional activity to enjoy with all your senses and admire the beauty of this wine region. On this tour, you can learn about the history of wine production in the area, explore picturesque villages and taste some of the best local wines, a more than complete experience.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 153 euros per passenger.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours in total.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: includes entrance to Place Bellecour.
• Disadvantage of this option: does not include lunch.

The itinerary consists of several stops, all of which will make you feel like you are travelling back in time. One of them is the town of Châtillon d'Azergues. There you can admire the architecture of the 13th century castles and their ramparts. After passing through medieval villages, you will reach the towns of Chessy Les Mines and Bagnols, before stopping in Oingt. There you can visit the church of Saint Mathieu and take in the wonderful panoramic views of the hills dotted with vineyards.

At a winery in Moire, you will experience a wine tasting, tour the vineyards and learn about the winemaking process. You will also see the characteristic buildings of Pérouges, dating from the 13th to the 16th century, which have been the setting for the famous Three Musketeers films. Finally, you will have free time to shop for souvenirs and tour the area at your own pace and taste.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 125 euros per passenger.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours and 15 minutes.

Means of transport: air-conditioned minivan.

• Advantage of this option: it is done in small groups so the experience is almost personalised.
• Disadvantage of this option: it does not include lunch.

If you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, this is a great alternative. On this tour you will have the opportunity to visit Oingt and Pérouges, two towns that are among the 157 most beautiful in France. You will also taste award-winning Beaujolais wines in a small family-run winery, accompanied by a specialised local guide.

In this activity, wine shares the limelight with gastronomy, as the tour includes a tasting of typical regional food, a unique experience that combines traditional flavours with the elegance of French cuisine. Ideal for getting in touch with the flavours and culture of the place.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 104 euros per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts approximately 4 hours in total.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: suitable for all types of travellers.
• Disadvantage of this option: not recommended for young children.

This tour takes you around the northern part of Beaujolais. You will visit sites such as Brouilly, Morgon, Chiroubles, Fleurie, Moulin-a-Vent and Juliénas, among others. This region is known for being the producer of the emblematic elite Gamay wines called crus.

During the tour you will be able to appreciate wonderful castles and landscapes, as well as visit a small family winery and a Chateau. At all times you will be accompanied by your guide, who will tell you about the so-called terroir (French wine philosophy).

Among the main stops included in the itinerary of this tour is Cercie, where you will enter a family winery to learn about the "semi-carbonic" maceration, a unique process in Beaujolais winemaking. Of course, wine tasting is included. In Fleurie you will have the chance to appreciate the Chapel of La Madone, and if the day is clear, you will enjoy the panoramic views of the Alps and the imposing Mont Blanc. Before finishing, you'll have another stop in Chenas to delve into another magnificent wine cellar.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 99 euros per person.
• Duration: the activity lasts on average 4 hours and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: the groups in which it is carried out are small.
• Disadvantage of this option: the activity is not adapted for wheelchair users.

This tour is an experience not to be missed, combining the best of French regional cheese and wine. Through the picturesque back roads of the Northern Rhône Valley, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the production of these two icons of French gastronomy. This option is perfect if you are passing through and plan to spend at least 3 days in Lyon.

Besides tasting the best wines of the region, you will be able to delight yourself with the famous Rigotte de Condrieu goat cheese, known for its subtle yet intense flavour. One of the most exciting stops on this tour is at Parc Nature, where you can visit a typical cheese farm, see the friendly goats and taste some of the best cheeses you have ever tasted.

Next, you will visit the wine estate of Domaine Gallet, where the owner himself will teach you all the secrets of wine production. Here, you will have the opportunity to taste the famous Côte-Rôtie wine and the Condrieu wine. This experience is undoubtedly one of the best gastronomic tours in Lyon.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 100 euros per passenger.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours in total.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: the value of the tour includes the entrance fees to all the establishments visited.
• Disadvantage of this option: the tour may be cancelled if the minimum number of passengers required is not reached.

On this tour, the protagonist is the legendary Syrah wine, so the tour will take you deep into the lands of the Northern Rhône Valley. This is also where Viognier grapes grow. With this experience, you will get to know one of the oldest and steepest vineyards in France, with terraces built in the time of the Roman Empire. You will stop at two family-owned wineries and have the opportunity to taste wines such as Cote Rotie, Condrieu and St. Joseph Appellations, considered among the best in the Cotes du Rhone.

On the way to the Rhone Valley, you will have an interesting stop in Vienne to enjoy a majestic view of a 2000 year old Roman theatre. Once in the town of Ampuis, the world capital of Syrah, you'll visit the vineyards of Cote Rotie, and you'll be driven through the dizzyingly steep gradients of Cote Brune and Cote Blonde.

Next stops are in Condrieu, Chavanay and Malleval, where you'll delve into different wineries to learn about the production of their best wines and, of course, taste them.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 100 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes in total.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: the starting point is accessible by public transport.
• Disadvantage of this option: not adapted for wheelchair users.

During this tour, you will learn all about the Art de Vivre à la Lyonnaise while tasting local specialities in a friendly atmosphere, and in a small group. As you walk with your guide through the streets of central Lyon and its mysterious traboules, you will discover the history and architecture of the city.

You will be able to taste the best and most authentic local sweets and pastries, as well as traditional Lyon dishes. Plus, there will be wine tastings of the region, so that you can complement this activity in the best way possible. The tour is not only about eating and drinking, it is an excellent way to discover all the historical richness of the historic centre of one of the most beautiful cities in France, and live an incredible and memorable culinary adventure.

Details of interest:

• Price: from €146 per traveller.
• Duration: approximately 3 to 4 hours.
• Means of transport: on foot from the meeting point.
• Advantage of this option: the area has public transport nearby.
• Disadvantage of this option: the experience is not recommended for wheelchair users, as many of the streets are not adapted with ramps.

During this tour, you will have the opportunity to visit wineries and taste some of the most outstanding wines of the region. But that's not all, you will also enjoy a musical and sensory experience in which you will learn about the history of the city through hearing, sight and smell. This is definitely one of the best things to do in Lyon.

The tour starts with a meet and greet in the city centre, from where you will depart for the Côte-Rôtie wine region. There you can visit a local winery and taste some of their wines. Afterwards, you will return to the city for a tour of Lyon's main attractions, history and culture.

The musical and sensory touch is something not to be missed, it will take you to discover the soul of Lyon. During the tour, you will listen to musical playlists that will transport you to different times and places in the city, providing the soundtrack to the experience.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 65 euros per person.
• Duration: the activity lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: the transfer is at your own expense.
• Advantage of this option: the area has public transport nearby.
• Disadvantage of this option: the activity is not adapted for wheelchair users.

On this tour of the famous Halles Paul Bocuse covered market, you will discover the local cuisine and culinary culture. You'll get to taste a variety of local foods, such as cheeses, meatballs, cured meats and, of course, wine. You will also learn about the history of the region, such as the history of the "Mères Lyonnaises" and the little anecdotes of the local chefs.

You can also taste some typical sweets, such as the famous pink pralines and the Coussin de Lyon. Tastings vary according to the season, so each tour is a unique culinary experience.

If you are a visitor with a passion for food and wine, and want to sample the flavours of Lyon, this tour is ideal for you, as it immerses you in depth in the culinary culture of France.

Details of interest:

• Price: from €100 per person.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Means of transport: on foot from the meeting point.
• Advantage of this option: it is done in small groups.
• Disadvantage of this option: it is not adapted for wheelchair users.