Written by Tom Hooker

If you love wine as much as we do, then you’re probably familiar with the fantastic reputation (and taste!) of French wine. Put in a few simple words, the combination of soils, types of grapes, and vinification methods they follow in the French Republic may very well result in the best wines on Earth. But like everything else, there are levels to this; so to try the best wine in France, you’ll have to plan your trip accordingly, spend some time in the right areas, and even organize a few tastings with the top makers in the country. Not sure where to start? Well, fret not! We’ve put together a list of four regions in France where you’ll be able to try some world-class wines at every single stop. And don’t worry, we won’t limit ourselves to cities either—we’re taking a deep dive and exploring the towns and villages best known for their wine. Let’s get to it!

When you ask vino enthusiasts about the best wine cities in France, you will rarely hear Lyon mentioned at the top of the list. This is exactly why it has remained a hidden gem for such a long time. Lyon is nestled at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers, a surreal location that’s close to not one but several prestigious wine regions. It’s also very close to the French Alps, which is why the soil around this area produces such unique taste notes. Are you ready to try some of the most creative wines you’ll ever have? Then let’s continue our French wine tour by visiting Lyon.

The History of Lyon

Lyon is such an emblematic city that it’s actually older than the country of France. The city was founded by Romans more than 2,000 years ago under the name of Lugdunum. This heritage can still be felt as you walk around the city even today! Besides the many ancient ruins scattered across Lyon, you can also visit the old Roman amphitheater and walk around its ancient old grounds. Furthermore, the city is known as one of the best places in Europe to get clothing and accessories made of silk. As luck has it, Lyon gained this reputation thousands of years ago because it was a mandatory stop in the original Silk Road. 

The Wine in Lyon: What’s the Local Specialty?

So, what types of wine can you find in Lyon? The truth is that this is not the place to try traditional wines like Malbecs or Bordeaux (but we’ll sure tell you where to find these as well). Instead, prepare your palette for a rich tapestry of flavors that you won’t find anywhere else, including wines like: 

• Côtes du Rhône: This fine wine encompasses reds, whites, and rosés from the North and South Rhône Valley regions and can contain the likes of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Viognier grapes.

• Côte-Rôtie: Found in the Northern Rhône Valley, Côte-Rôtie wines are often reds and rosés made from Syrah grapes. The red wines often feature a deep, spicy aroma and have become a favorite for collectors due to their long aging potential. 
• Condrieu: If you recognize the name Condrieu, it’s not a coincidence. This acclaimed white wine has a fantastic reputation because it’s elegant and aromatic. Produced from Viognier grapes in the region’s steep hillsides, there’s no better place to savor the floral aromas of this wine than the Northern Rhône Valley.  
• Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Out of all the red wines from the Southern Rhône Valley, Châteauneuf-du-Pape has to be the most emblematic. The velvety tannins, dark fruit aromas, and lingering finish of the wines from this region consistently delight even the most experienced sommeliers. 
• Crozes-Hermitage: The most common regional wine in the Northern Rhone Valley, Crozes-Hermitage red wines follow a similar profile to others in this area thanks to its Syrah grapes. But, the most interesting Crozes-Hermitages are actually white wines made from Marsanne and Roussanne that have an aroma reminiscent of fresh herbs and black olives. 

Iconic Vineyards and Famous Wine Makers Close to Lyon

While Lyon itself is not considered a wine-making region, it’s the perfect hub to arrange tastings at the vineyards and explore nearby attractions. Some stops you should consider:

• The Domaine Georges Duboeuf, a famous wine-making estate that welcomes tourists and offers tours through their winemaking facilities and storage cellars
• The Caveau Jean Loron winery, a family-owned maker that’s famous for its Beaujolais Crus wine and the surrounding Fleurie commune that dates back to medieval times

• The Château de La Chaize is a historic estate where you can organize tours through the castle, beautiful garden, wine cellars, and of course, its vineyards
• Le Caveau Du Château E. Guiga is a must-visit if you want to taste a wide selection of regional wines like Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, and Condrieu from a great maker
• Located in the Southern Rhone Valley, Domaine de la Janasse is located a couple of hours from Lyon but it’s definitely worth the trip. The estate produces renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône wines. Plus, if you don’t want to rush, you can stay the night at Avignon and spend a day or two enjoying the wine down south

Much More Than Wine: Attractions in and Around Lyon 

Lyon is one of France’s biggest tourist attractions because it’s a beautiful city that acts as one of France’s cultural capitals. There are tons of museums, historic neighborhoods, and famous cathedrals you can visit. Regional festivities and events, like the Beaujolais Nouveau Day and professional soccer games, also attract millions of visitors each year. Here are some of the things we recommend you do between wine tastings and vineyard tours:

• Visit the Parc des Oiseaux (or Bird Park), an open sanctuary and wildlife preservation project located a short train ride from Lyon.
• Stroll through the Parc de la Tête d’Or (or Golden Head Park), a beautiful park with more than 280 acres of land that contains a one-of-a-kind animal preservation project.
• Wander through the greenhouses, as the Jardin Botanique de Lyon is located inside of the Parc de la Tête d’Or but observes its own schedule so be sure to check it out if you want to see the rare plant species held there.
• Enjoy the views from the Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière, the imposing cathedral overlooking the city of Lyon. Legend says that the Roman Empire founded what is now Lyon by erecting a temple on the very same hill that the basilica is perched upon
• Go to Beaujolais on Beaujolais Nouveau Day, a region-wide celebration that commemorates the yearly release of the new Beaujolais Nouveau, also known as the fastest wine on Earth. This takes place on the third Thursday of November; so if you’re in Lyon you can enjoy the city’s awesome celebration, or better yet, take a short drive to the town of Beaujolais itself to welcome the new batch the traditional way!

Where to Find the Best Food

Like in many French cities, there’s good food everywhere in Lyon. Just keep in mind that traditional restaurants that serve lunch menus may not be used to catering to folks with eating restrictions. Here are a few tips to find the best traditional food in Lyon. 

• The center of the city is an awesome place because it has a lot of attractions close by and tons of different restaurants to choose from
• If you take a 20-minute stroll from the Perrache station up to the Place Bellecour you’ll find loads of different restaurants and traditional pastry shops, plus you’ll be close to…
• Lyon Old Town or Vieux Lyon, where you can eat at some of the city’s famed bouchons, which are traditional restaurants with a cozy vibe and authentic homemade Lyonnaise gastronomy

The Best Way to Experience Lyon

Lyon was the area’s most important city during Roman times, and it has only grown since. This is why going from one end to the next may take some time and planning depending on what you’re traveling in. Not only this, it’s in the Rhône Valley, one of the most naturally-gifted parts of France. But if your goal is to find the best wine in Lyon and the Rhône Valley as a whole, then you should speak with a local guide who loves wine and food as much as you do. ALLMYNE is your direct connection with the amazing locals who can tell you where to go to experience the real Lyon and taste the region’s top wines. You can actually design your experience exactly how you want it: you can get written tips to do activities on your own, request your guide to join you for the whole trip, or choose which activities you want to get guided through. 

Nature, Wine, and Vibes: Lyon Awaits Your Arrival

Whether you plan on making your way to the Bird Park, strolling through the narrow alleys of the Old Town, or watching the city’s majestic rivers joining at the confluence, Lyon will certainly captivate you. Once you taste the rich variety of notes, flavors, and aromas in the multitude of local wines, your tastebuds will straight up refuse to go back home—at least not before stuffing a few bottles of Condrieu and Châteauneuf-du-Pape in your check-in bag.