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BOCUSE, LYON AND THE BUCOLIC BEAUJOLAIS REGION

A 5-night getaway to the France's culinary capital, with an insider's view to the rebirth of a wine region.

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A first-class hotel, private visits to top local wine-growers, and sumptuous dining await as you discover the heady wines, history and beauty of Lyon and the Beaujolais region. Lyon is considered by many to be the world's culinary mecca, and the wines of the nearby Beaujolais region have been filling Lyonnais glasses for centuries. You'll enjoy extensive tastings at top wine estates throughout the Beaujolais region with wine expert Todd Ross; internationally award winning photojournalist Peter Martin, Managing Director of MARTIN KEEGAN TOURS, LLC., and a professional local guide.

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Our tour is based in Burgundy's middle-Beaujolais region, at the 4-star Hôtel Spa Château de Pizay. This elegant, Medieval château-hotel is surrounded by striking landscaped gardens and features quaint, antiques-filled rooms, a gourmet French restaurant, an elegant bar-lounge, and a posh spa offering beauty treatments and saunas. It's location makes it the perfect place from which to explore the nearby vineyards and towns by day, and a relaxing evening retreat.

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SUNDAY, Day 1 - Welcome to Lyon and the bucolic Beaujolais region! Pick up from Gare de Lyon Part Dieu train station then transfer to Saint-Jean-d'Ardières, where guests check in to the magnificent and historic 4-star Hôtel Spa Château de Pizay. After settling in, we'll gather at Château de Pizay's state of the art Oenotheque for a wine sensory course and discovery tasting to tune up our palates for the week ahead. In the early evening, we'll set off north toward Chénas, pausing along the way at Mont Madone in the Fleurie Cru to enjoy the amazing view, hors d'oeuvres and an aperitif while we review our itinerary for the week, before continuing. Dinner tonight is at the Michelin starred Au 14 Février in Saint-Amour Bellevue, where "diners are won over by the flavorsome Franco-Japanese cuisine, which is delicate and varied."

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MONDAY, Day 2 - After breakfast we trek south to the town of Charnay to meet and taste with one of the region's most-beloved winemakers, Jean-Paul Brun at Domaine des Terres Dorées. Lunch today is at L'Auberge de la Place in Ville-sur-Jarnioux. "Chef Pascal Crerieux not only uses the freshest products direct from local farms, but presents creative dishes like goose rillettes, lentils and a tangy tomato coulis as if it were in a Michelin starred restaurant. There is an elegant dining room, but much more fun is to take a seat with the locals at the communal table alongside the bar." After lunch it's just a short drive to the small but highly-regarded Domaine Jean-Claude Lapalu in Saint-Étienne-la-Varenne. Dinner tonight is at one of the region’s finest restaurants, Fabrice Roche's Michelin 1-star restaurant Le Juliénas in Villefranche-sur-Saône. "A warm, contemporary restaurant and a pleasant terrace in fine weather. The talented chef concocts subtle recipes, some of which reveal a distinctly southern twang. Undeniably delicious."

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TUESDAY, Day 3 – (A Day in Lyon) Guests are free for most of the morning to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and amenities of the Château of Pizay. Before noon we will gather for a short drive to our lunch destination, Paul Bocuse's Michelin-starred l'Auberge du Pont de Collonges, just north of Lyon. After lunch, it's a short drive to the heart of the city of Lyon where guests will enjoy a private guided walking tour of the Medieval neighborhood of Vieux Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its cobblestone paths and hidden courtyards. Afterwards, guests will be free to shop and explore on their own taking in the markets in Lyon's Prèsqu'il district in the city center.​ Dinner tonight is at Café Comptoir Abel, its reputation guarded faithfully for the last 40 years by chef Alain Vigneron. "Without a doubt the oldest, most authentic bouchon in Lyon, Café Comptoir Abel is steeped in history. The bistro tables and chairs wear their patina of age proudly, and the original wooden panelling and bric-a-brac make this magnificent building a place that’s not to be missed. Hidden away near the quays of the river Saône, this restaurant has been a veritable institution in the city since 1726."

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WEDNESDAY, Day 4 – This morning, after breakfast, it's just a short drive, skirting the Mont Brouilly hill, to the winemaking village of Odenas for our first winery visit of the day at Chateau Thivin. Lunch will be at the Michelin starred Auberge de Clochemerle in Vaux-en-Beaujolais. Romain Barthe was awarded his first Michelin star in 2012 at the Auberge de Clochemerle, after learning his trade at the side of Gilles Blandin in L’Epine and Michel Troisgros in Roanne. Our second winery visit of the day finds us in the hamlet of Les Noisetiers for a visit and tasting with rising star, and artisan vigneron, Julien Sunier. Then we travel back to Château de Pizay where guests will have some time to themselves before we gather in the courtyard of the Château for a relaxing meal with local wines prepared by the property’s gourmet restaurant. "The château setting elegantly blends historical charm and sleek contemporary lines. The majestic backdrop complements a contemporary cuisine. . . ." ViaMichelin

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THURSDAY, Day 5 - After a leisurely breakfast, we'll drive a short way to our first tasting at the superlative Château des Jacques in Romanèche-Thorins. Along the way, we'll stop in Le Moulin-à-Vent to visit the iconic windmill after which its eponymous Cru is named. Lunch today will be at the charming Rouge & Blanc just at the edge of Romanèche-Thorins. After lunch our second tasting of the day is at the renowned Domaine Marcel Lapierre in Villié-Morgon, and our final tasting of the tour is literally just a stone's throw away at Domaine Jean Foillard. Gathering for our final night, our farewell dinner is at the venerable local institution Auberge du Cep, in Fleurie.

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FRIDAY, Day 6 - Early morning departure today for a shuttle back to the Gare de Lyon Part Dieu rail station for trains to Paris or onward travel.

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Luxury Small-Group Wine Tours to France, Italy, Spain and California
Luxury Small-Group Wine Tours to France, Italy, Spain and California
Luxury Small-Group Wine Tours to France, Italy, Spain and California
Luxury Small-Group Wine Tours to France and Italy

$6250

5
nights

Tour Dates:

 

September 28 - October 3, 2025

SOLD OUT

 

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • Full information and welcome package.

  • Pick up and drop off at the Gare de Lyon Part Dieu train station in Lyon, France, and all transfers during the tour.

  • 5 nights Luxury accommodations in Grand Comfort Guestrooms at the 4-star Hôtel Spa Château de Pizay in Saint-Jean-d'Ardières.

  • Entrance to Oenotheque Wine Discovery and Tasting at Château de Pizay. 

  • Private walking tour of Vieux Lyon.

  • Joining us all week will be professional, local wine and culture guide.

  • 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners (three 1-star Michelin and one 2-star Michelin).

  • All beverages during the nine included main meals are provided in the price of the tour. (What this means is that ample red and white wines, still and sparkling bottled water, and coffee or tea will be served along with all seven meals provided as part of this tour. Additional aperitifs or digestives will be the responsibility of individuals.)

  • Entries to all private wine tastings throughout the region.

  • Entries to all scheduled locations throughout the tour.

  • All gratuities during the tour.

  • Tour ends in Lyon, France.

  • Price Per Person - $6,250.00 (Price does not include airfare).

  • Single Supplement - $1,250 (note: single guests may request to be paired to avoid the single supplement fee).

  • Group size limited to just 16 guests.

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