Tour to Beaujoulais and last day on the Hermod

 

Our included tour today is to visit the wine area of Beaujolais, north of Lyon. It's 45 minutes to 1 hour drive depending on traffic and where in the region you're heading. So a slightly earlier 8:30am departure time. Traffic is not too bad heading north, and we get through the tunnel and on to the highway to Villefranche sur Saone quite quickly. Then on smaller winding roads to the small village of Beajeu. We had some free time there to wander around. Then back on the bus and about 30 minutes drive through the rolling hills covered with vineyards to Chateau de Pravins, an organic winery. It's a beautiful setting with a lovely old restored Chateau made of the local stone. The owner, Isabelle Brossard was a Paris city planner before she bought the property and learned how to make wine. Now she teaches others in the area about making organic wine. In this area only 2 grapes are grown, Gamay and Chardonnay. Almost all the wine is red, though white is growing in popularity. Because it's early April the vines are very small and have been heavily pruned, so hardly look alive.

We tasted a rose, a white and 2 reds. All were very good though I was partial to the white. There were a few comments about the Trump tariffs, which have hit the French Wine industry hard.

About a 45 minute drive back to Lyon, just in time for lunch. Many people are doing an optional tour this afternoon so eat and head out, but Ian and I organize our packing then relax and enjoy the afternoon on the Hermod.







If you are interested in the winery:

https://chateaudepravins.com/en/vignoble/


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