Best Day Trips from Lyon

While there is much to see and do in Lyon, as a city steeped in history, culture and gastronomy, it is also an excellent base for exploring the surrounding Rhone-Alpes region. From Lyon, there are numerous tour options you can take, each of which will take you to some absolutely fascinating places. In this article I have selected some of the best tours you can take from Lyon.

From exploring the golden rocks of Beaujolais, the Rhône Valley and the Côte-Rôtie region, to visiting the charming little town of Annecy, these tours will allow you to discover why this is one of the most popular areas of France. You can go on wine tasting tours and sample the local gastronomy in iconic locations such as Syrah, visit picturesque wineries and much more. These are just some of the experiences not to be missed.

Just 25 minutes south of the city of Lyon, the Northern Rhône Valley is a favourite spot for wine lovers. On this 4-hour excursion, you will have the chance to discover the birthplace of one of the best wines in the world. Syrah is an exquisite variety, with a very aromatic and fruity taste, as well as a dark red colour.

On this tour you will learn all about the Syrah elaboration process, as well as being able to taste it in its place of origin. This is undoubtedly one of the best wine tours in Lyon, and a unique experience.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 100 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: you will travel aboard a comfortable minibus of about 8 seats, with air-conditioning.
• Advantage of this option: various local wines are included for tasting. The experience is suitable for people with reduced mobility.
• Disadvantage of this option: no food is included with the tasting.

On this full-day tour you will be driven in a comfortable, air-conditioned minivan to some of the most beautiful and picturesque vineyards in the South of France. You will start your visit in the town of Oingt, in the Rhône Valley, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes. Your expert local guide will show you all the details of Beaujolais winemaking, the type of grapes and the special processes that take place here.

You will continue to Fleurie, where after a delicious typical lunch, you will take the Route Crus, on the way to the Chateau du Moulin-a-Vent. Once there, you will visit the vineyard and have a tasting of local red, white and rosé wines. You will learn how to distinguish the different flavours and nuances of each of the varieties. This is undoubtedly one of the best all-day tours to do from Lyon.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 151 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours in total.
• Means of transport: you will travel aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: the groups are small, so if you are travelling with a large family group you can do the tour without other people.
• Disadvantage of this option: pick-up and drop-off at the accommodation is not included.

What's better than being in France with a glass of wine in your hand and a table of different cheeses. On this half-day tour, you will get to see the most amazing places in the Northern Rhône Valley, taste the local flavours and have a unique time.

Located just a few minutes from the centre of Lyon, the Rhône Valley has many vineyards and amazing natural landscapes. The tour starts at the Parc Naturel Regional du Pilat, where you can visit its farm and see the friendly goats. It is thanks to them that one of the most important cheeses of the region is produced, the Rigotte de Condrieu. Its rind is thin, light beige and smooth, and its interior is yellowish white, soft and creamy. Its taste is delicate and slightly acidic, with a fresh and herbaceous aroma.

On this tour, you will also have the opportunity to taste some of the most outstanding wines of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, such as Condrieu. Don't miss this tour, your palate will thank you.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 100 euros per traveller.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours in total.
• Means of transport: comfortable, air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: entrance fees to the natural park and other sites of your visit are included.
• Disadvantage of this option: it does not include pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation.

This is a tour of the land of Beaujolais. This variety of wine is characterised by being made in this particular region in the south of France, which is also famous for its golden stones. Often compared to Tuscany, this is a mountainous area, with villages made of stone, full of charm.

With this half day tour, you will have the opportunity to visit Oingt, Saint-Laurent-d'Oingt and Cogny, while tasting the flavours of the gastronomy and wine of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region. While the tour revolves around wine and gastronomy, your passionate local guide will tell you all about these beautiful golden stones and their importance in the taste of Beaujolais wine.

An ideal tour if you are visiting Lyon for at least 3 days and want to get to know a bit of the region.

Details of interest:

• Price: from €104 per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours in total.
• Means of transport: you will travel aboard an air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: you will be able to taste wines and delicious cheeses in an incomparable natural setting.
• Disadvantage of this option: although tastings are included, lunch is not included.

Here is one of the most complete options if you are interested in the world of typical French flavours. On this full day tour, you will leave Lyon early in the morning and travel through the regions of Beaujolais, Oingt, Moire, Theize, until you reach the medieval village of Pérouges.

Located in Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, this small village has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France. Pérouges sits on a hill and is surrounded by a wall dating back to the 14th century. Its cobbled streets, stone houses and historic buildings give this village a special charm. This is one of the best things to do with children if you visit Lyon, as they will feel like they are in the time of the knights.

One of the highlights of Pérouges is its gastronomy. You can try the famous galette de Pérouges. On this tour you can also taste some of the region's wines in a picturesque wine cellar. There, the owner will tell you the secrets of winemaking and the keys to a good wine tasting. This could definitely be considered one of the best things to do in Lyon or, rather, from Lyon.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 125 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Means of transport: you will travel aboard an 8-seater, air-conditioned minibus.
• Advantage of this option: this is one of the most complete tours and wine tasting is included in the price.
• Disadvantage of this option: no guide in Spanish, only French and English.

Discover two of the best kept treasures of the Lyon region. This tour will take you to explore two of the region's most beautiful medieval towns: Pérouges and Annecy. With a very personal stamp, both are a paradise of cobbled streets, with a lot of history on their shoulders.

Start early by hopping aboard a comfortable minivan to explore the back roads of Lyon and make your way to Pérouges. Its architecture is absolutely stunning, with many houses dating back to the 10th century no less, and little streets that will make you want to wander down, while taking countless photos.

Then the itinerary continues to Annecy. If you haven't seen the typical postcards of this French town, then you're in for a pleasant surprise. Its canals and bridges, its thousands of flowers, and that feeling of having travelled back in time, make it one of those places that thrills. The tour includes various wine tastings of wines from the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region along with typically French culinary delights.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 860 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 9 hours in total.
• Means of transport: comfortable, air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: you will be able to visit two perfectly preserved medieval jewels.
• Disadvantage of this option: the itinerary can be a bit long, so I do not recommend it for young children.

Enjoy a ride aboard a comfortable cruise and see Lyon from a different perspective. On this tour of around 1 hour you'll cruise along the Saône and the Rhône, while taking in some of the city's attractions, such as the Fourviere Basilica, the Red Cross Rinks, the National Conservatory of Music and the new Confluence district.

During the cruise, you'll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city, and your dedicated local guide will be on hand to point out the highlights of the tour and ensure you have an unforgettable experience. A relaxing and unique activity on board a gourmet cruise. During the tour you can sample local cheeses, cured meats and a glass of local wine. An ideal tour if you are only 1 day in Lyon, since it will allow you to get a taste of the beauty of the city.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 29 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 1 hour in total.
• Means of transport: you will travel aboard a cruise ship.
• Advantage of this option: You will get views of the city that you cannot get from land. Sausages, cheeses and a glass of wine are included.
• Disadvantage of this option: Children under 5 years of age are not allowed.

The best way to book any kind of tour is always online, so you can check everything about the itinerary, duration, inclusions and exclusions, as well as read what other travellers have to say about the tour.

These are usually full-day tours (approximately 8 hours), or half-day tours (4 to 6 hours). It is very important to consider the duration if you are travelling with children, as full-day tours can be too tiring for the little ones.

If you choose one of the best gastronomic tours of Lyon it will certainly take longer, and if you opt for one of the bike tours of Lyon it will be much shorter.

It will depend on the type of tour you book, although the vast majority explore the region's historic past and various tastings, including local wine and local delicacies.

Here are a few tips to make your visit around Lyon perfect:

• Wear comfortable shoes: In cities like Lyon or any of the nearby towns, you will have a lot of walking and sightseeing to do, so you need to be comfortable. Good shoes are the difference between a great day and a bad one.
• Bring some refreshments: If your tour doesn't include them, make sure you pack a light snack and a bottle of water to keep you hydrated, especially if you're travelling in the summer months.
• Check the weather website: Always check the weather website before going on an outdoor excursion to avoid carrying extra clothes or suffering from the cold.
• Check the language of the tour: On tours of Lyon and its surroundings it is very common that they do not include guides who speak many languages, usually only French and English, so if you do not master either it is possible that you will miss a large part of the tour. In such cases, a good option is to take a ride on the Lyon sightseeing bus, which has 7 different language options, including Spanish.

They come in all price ranges, though none for less than 100 euros per person. It will depend on the duration and itinerary of the tour, and whether or not it includes wine tasting and sampling.

The Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region is beautiful, so I don't think there is a single village or town not worth visiting. Some of the most charming are Beaujolais, Annecy, Oingt, Pérouge and Moire.

A tour of the Rhone-Alpes region from Lyon is highly recommended because it is one of the most beautiful regions in France. Often compared to Italy's Tuscany, its mountainous landscapes, vineyards, gastronomy and medieval villages and towns are a real gem.

While you can rent a car and tour the villages around Lyon, a guided tour guarantees you a specialist of the region. By taking a guided tour you can learn about the past and present of the Rhone-Alpes region, the silk trade, its wine, its gastronomy, local anecdotes, places of interest that may not appear in the guidebooks.

My recommendation is to join one of the many all-day tours from Lyon, so you have the opportunity to relax while the driver and your guide take care of everything. There is so much to discover.