10 Best Lyon Wine Tours

The city of Lyon boasts some of the best wineries in the country. Its wines are very diverse and characterised by their richness and complexity of flavours. Visiting the local wineries is quite an adventure, as they are true gems with roots dating back centuries and production techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. What's more, a visit will allow you to taste different varieties directly where they are made.

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

This is an experience that allows 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 six participants in total.

You can ask as many questions as you like and will have the opportunity to fully appreciate every detail of this activity. The experience takes place outside the busiest part of Lyon, in a modernised apartment that was once a silk factory in 19th-century France.

The activity begins with a glass of sparkling wine, after which you will be seated at the table to taste three varieties of white wine and three varieties of red wine. During the process, you will learn the technique of wine tasting step by step while discovering all the secrets of the professionals. And, of course, to accompany the fine wines, you will be served a platter of the best local cheeses, cold meats, seasonal fruit and delicious artisan bread.

Details of interest:

• Price: from £224 per person.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours in total.
• Transport: transport is not included.

On this tour, you'll be taken in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle to explore 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 local wine production, and the highlight of the experience will be a wine tasting at a local winery, led by a professional winemaker.

Beaujolais is known for its quiet villages and picturesque stone buildings. This mountainous region has often been compared to Tuscany because of its beauty and atmosphere. This is one of the best day trip options from Lyon, so don't miss out.

Without a doubt, this is an exceptional activity to enjoy with all your senses and admire the beauty of this wine region. On this tour, you will learn about the history of wine production in the area, explore picturesque villages and taste some of the best local wines, a truly complete experience.

Details of interest:

• Price: from £153 per passenger.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours in total.
• Transportation: air-conditioned minivan.

The itinerary includes several stops, all of which will make you feel like you're 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 walls. After passing through medieval villages, you will arrive at the towns of Chessy Les Mines and Bagnols, stopping at Oingt. There you can visit the church of Saint Mathieu and enjoy 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 discover the characteristic buildings of Pérouges, dating from the 13th to 16th centuries, which have been the setting for famous films such as The Three Musketeers. Finally, you will have free time to buy souvenirs and explore the area at your own pace.

Details of interest:

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

Transport: air-conditioned minivan

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

In this activity, wine shares the spotlight with gastronomy, as the tour includes a tasting of typical regional dishes, 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 £90 per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts approximately 4 hours in total.
• Transportation: air-conditioned minivan.

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

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

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

Details of interest:

• Price: from £99 per person.
• Duration: the activity lasts an average of 4 hours and 30 minutes.
• Transportation: air-conditioned minivan.

This tour is an experience not to be missed, combining the best of French wine and cheese. Travelling along 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.

In addition to tasting the best wines of the region, you can enjoy the famous Rigotte de Condrieu goat cheese, known for its subtle yet intense flavour. One of the most exciting stops on this excursion is at Parc Nature, where you can visit a typical cheese farm, see friendly goats and taste some of the best cheeses you've ever tasted.

Next, you'll visit the Domaine Gallet winery, 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 Condrieu wine. This experience is undoubtedly one of the best food tours in Lyon.

Details of interest:

• Price: from £100 per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours in total.
• Transportation: air-conditioned minivan.

On this tour, the legendary Syrah wine takes centre stage, so the route will take you deep into the Northern Rhône Valley. This is also where Viognier grapes are grown. This experience will introduce you to one of the oldest and steepest vineyards in France, with terraces built during the Roman Empire. You will stop at two family-run wineries and have the opportunity to taste wines such as Cote Rotie, Condrieu and Saint-Joseph Appellations, considered among the best in the Cotes du Rhone.

On the way to the Rhone Valley, you will make an interesting stop in Vienne to enjoy a majestic view of a 2,000-year-old Roman theatre. Once in the town of Ampuis, the world capital of Syrah, you will visit the vineyards of Cote Rotie and be driven along the dizzying terraced slopes of Cote Brune and Cote Blonde.

The next stops are in Condrieu, Chavanay and Malleval, where you will visit different wineries to learn about the production of their best wines and, of course, taste them.

Details of interest:

• Price: from £100 per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes in total.
• Transport: air-conditioned minivan.

During this tour, you will learn all about the Art de Vivre à la Lyonnaise while tasting local specialities in a pleasant 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 try the best and most authentic local sweets and pastries, as well as traditional Lyon dishes. In addition to the inevitable wine tastings from the region, you will be able to complement this activity in the best possible way. The tour is not just about eating and drinking, it is an excellent way to discover all the historical richness of the old town of one of the most beautiful cities in France and to experience an incredible and memorable culinary adventure.

Details of interest:

• Price: from £146 per traveller.
• Duration: approximately 3 to 4 hours.
• Transport: on foot from the meeting point.

During this tour, you will have the opportunity to visit wineries and taste some of the region's most outstanding wines. But that's not all, you'll also enjoy a musical and sensory experience in which you'll learn about the history of the city through your ears, eyes and nose. This is undoubtedly one of the best activities to do in Lyon.

The tour begins with a meeting and pick-up 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 its wines. Then you will return to the city for a tour of Lyon's main attractions, history and culture.

The musical and sensory touch is something you cannot miss, it will take you to discover the soul of Lyon. During the tour, you will listen to music 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 per person.
• Duration: the activity lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Transport: transport is not included.

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

You'll also get to try some typical sweets, such as the famous pink pralines and the Coussin de Lyon. The tastings vary according to the season, so each tour is a unique culinary experience.

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

Details of interest:

• Price: starting at £100 per person.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Transportation: on foot from the meeting point.