The Beaujolais and the Mâconnais lie just north of Lyon, which is 150 km or about 1 h 45 from Geneva Airport, and together they form an approachable, friendly wine country of rolling hills, Gamay reds and Chardonnay whites. The region pairs naturally with a stay in Lyon, and a chauffeur from AirportsTransfers.ch can take you from your flight to the vineyards and on to the city without any juggling of trains and rental cars.
- Getting there: towards Lyon, crossing the border into France
- Beaujolais: Gamay reds, from light and fruity to structured crus
- Mâconnais: Chardonnay whites, including Pouilly-Fuissé
- Landmark: the Rock of Solutré above the Mâconnais vineyards
- Pairs well with: a stay in Lyon, France's gastronomic capital
The Beaujolais and its ten crus
The Beaujolais is often known abroad for its young, fruity wine released each November, but the region has much more to offer. In the north, on granite hills, ten villages or areas have the right to their own appellation, known as the crus: Saint-Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Brouilly and Côte de Brouilly. Each has its own style, from the floral elegance of Fleurie and Chiroubles to the more structured, age-worthy wines of Moulin-à-Vent and Morgon. All are made from Gamay, a grape that shows remarkable variety here. Tasting through several crus in a day is one of the pleasures of a visit, and producers are generally welcoming, with many family estates offering tastings in their cellars.
The golden-stone villages
The southern Beaujolais, closer to Lyon, has a different charm. Known as the Pays des Pierres Dorées, the land of golden stones, it is dotted with villages built from a warm, ochre limestone that glows in the evening light. Oingt, perched on a hilltop with a medieval tower and narrow lanes, is one of the best known, along with Theizé and Châtillon. The landscape is a patchwork of vines, woods and small castles, often compared to Tuscany by visitors. This area is ideal for a gentle half-day from Lyon, combining a village walk with lunch and a tasting. Further north, the Beaujolais crus are reached by quiet roads winding between hills, with panoramic viewpoints over the Saône valley towards the Alps on clear days.
The Mâconnais and Pouilly-Fuissé
North of the Beaujolais, the Mâconnais is the southern part of Burgundy and is largely devoted to Chardonnay. Its most prestigious appellation is Pouilly-Fuissé, produced around the villages of Fuissé, Solutré-Pouilly, Vergisson and Chaintré, which also has premier cru vineyards. The landscape is dominated by two dramatic limestone outcrops, the Rock of Solutré and the Rock of Vergisson, rising above the vines. Solutré is also an important prehistoric site, with a museum at its foot, and the climb to the top offers a superb view over the vineyards. Other Mâconnais appellations, such as Saint-Véran and Viré-Clessé, offer excellent value. The town of Mâcon, on the Saône, makes a convenient base, and the abbey town of Cluny is nearby. Many Mâconnais estates are family-run and happy to explain their plots, so even a short visit gives a real sense of how place shapes the wine.
Combining wine country with Lyon
Lyon is the natural partner for a trip to the Beaujolais. The city is known for its gastronomy, its traditional bouchon restaurants and its historic old town, listed by UNESCO, with Renaissance courtyards and covered passages called traboules. A popular plan is to spend one or two days in Lyon and one day in the vineyards, either in the Pierres Dorées or among the northern crus, returning to the city in the evening. Another is to tour the Beaujolais and Mâconnais over two days with a night in a village, then end in Lyon before flying home from Geneva. With a chauffeur, all these combinations become easy, including the drive back to Geneva Airport at the end of the trip.
Travelling with AirportsTransfers.ch
To plan a Beaujolais or Mâconnais trip from Geneva, book online with AirportsTransfers.ch. The fixed price per vehicle is shown before you pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, and you can choose a simple transfer or a chauffeur by the hour, from two hours, for vineyard days. On arrival, your driver tracks your flight, greets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign and waits at no extra charge if you are late. A Mercedes E-Class carries up to three passengers, an S-Class adds comfort for longer distances, and a V-Class takes up to seven with luggage and wine purchases; child seats are available on request. Companies receive invoices for group outings. Call or message +41 78 346 56 77, day or night.
