01
Maison du Terroir Beaujolais
In Beaujeu, learn about the region’s landscape, food and wine heritage. Check November opening before making this your arrival-day anchor.
Plan the visit
France · THE COMPLETE SHORT-STAY GUIDE
Beaujeu / Beaujolais
The new vintage, village tastings & a midnight toast
THE REASON TO GO
Les Sarmentelles / Beaujolais Nouveau
Les Sarmentelles brings Beaujeu together for the release of Beaujolais Nouveau. The Wednesday evening is the reason to come: tasting, music and the ceremonial opening of the new wine. Three nights around that evening leaves time for the vineyards and a slower recovery day; a nearby simple base is easier than a distant luxury hotel.
WHEN TO PLAN YOUR TRIP · 202716–19 November · suggested 3 nights; include Wednesday 17 November and the 18 November release, programme unconfirmedEditorial itinerary · confirm the festival timetable before booking
Best base
Beaujeu / Beaujolais
The main moment
The new vintage, village tastings & a midnight toast
Make room for
3 nights with an unhurried departure
THE STORY BEHIND THE SPECTACLE
How it began
First Sarmentelles: 1989
The Beaujolais Nouveau release acquired its familiar third-Thursday-in-November date in 1985. Beaujeu, the region’s historic capital, created Les Sarmentelles in 1989 to bring the international excitement about the new wine back to its home villages. The celebration begins on the preceding Wednesday, making the approach to midnight as important as the wine’s first official day of sale.
Today the association organises a multi-day programme of tastings, meals, music and village activities. Its name recalls the vine shoots, or sarments, that link the party to the vineyard rather than simply to a product launch. The torchlit procession and ceremonial opening of the wine give the release a shared public moment. Stay for that first evening, then explore the region in daylight to understand the place behind the bottle.
OUTSIDE THE MAIN EVENT
Make time for these
02
A booked cellar visit
Choose a producer in one of the nearby crus and book ahead during Nouveau week. A driver lets you taste without complicating the late festival return.
Plan the visit03
Beaujeu’s historic centre
See Saint-Nicolas church and the village streets in daylight before they fill for the evening programme.
Plan the visitA LITTLE STRUCTURE. PLENTY OF ROOM TO WANDER.
Your short-stay plan
Arrange the festival day around the confirmed programme, then shift the surrounding days to suit your arrival.
Arrive and meet the Beaujolais
Arrive on Tuesday and settle in. If staying in Lyon, confirm a private transfer for Wednesday night before adding a restaurant booking or wine visit.
Sarmentelles and the new vintage
Reach Beaujeu before the opening celebrations. Choose the tasting route or a booked dinner after the programme appears, then stay for the traditional late-evening procession and new-vintage release. Keep your return driver booked.
Beaujeu at a gentler pace
Sleep in, return for the village’s daytime programme if practical, and enjoy a proper lunch. A short vineyard drive with a non-drinking driver adds context without another intensive tasting schedule.
One final village, then departure
If timing allows, stop in the golden-stone villages or take a quiet Lyon breakfast. Leave generous time for the airport; add nights if you want the whole Wednesday-to-Sunday festival.
JUST BEYOND THE FESTIVAL
Worth the detour
Choose one outing for a short stay. Add another night if you want to explore further at an easy pace.
A BASE FOR EVERY KIND OF TRIP
A good hotel changes the trip.
Choose a hotel base to suit your budget and festival plans. Ratings are shown by category, with any seasonal openings and journeys from nearby towns explained below. Availability and rates for your dates have not been checked.
All four choices are nearby Beaujolais bases outside Beaujeu, requiring a prebooked late-night transfer.
November operating dates and restaurant days must be confirmed for the selected Sarmentelles edition.
5-star hotels
01★★★★★
Lyon · Vieux Lyon regional base
Cour des Loges Lyon, A Radisson Collection Hotel
5-star · Renaissance courtyards
Why we would choose it
A verified five-star old-town hotel makes a strong Lyon-and-Beaujolais combination, with restored historic interiors and dining.
Before you book
Beaujeu is a substantial journey from central Lyon, roughly 75–90 minutes before festival traffic. Budget a private late-night return; a local inn is easier for full festival immersion.
View hotel & check availability02★★★★★
Lyon · Presqu’île regional base
InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu
5-star · landmark & contemporary comfort
Why we would choose it
A central five-star base in the former Hôtel-Dieu suits guests who want Lyon meals and sightseeing alongside one focused Beaujeu festival night.
Before you book
Pre-book the long return from Beaujeu after the release. This is a city extension, not accommodation within walking distance of Sarmentelles.
View hotel & check availability4-star hotels
01★★★★
Régnié-Durette · Beaujolais vineyards
Hôtel Villa Alexandre
4-star · country house and restaurant
Why we would choose it
A vineyard-village base offers a calmer recovery day within Beaujolais and a shorter regional return than Lyon.
Before you book
This is outside Beaujeu: arrange a non-drinking driver and late-night pickup. Confirm November hotel opening and restaurant days for the selected edition.
View hotel & check availabilityStar-rating source02★★★★
Belleville-en-Beaujolais · Saint-Jean-d’Ardières
Château de Pizay
4-star · vineyard estate and spa
Why we would choose it
An estate among vineyards suits a festival stay extended with Beaujolais sightseeing and restful spa time.
Before you book
Accommodation is in dependencies rather than the château itself. Prebook the Beaujeu midnight return and confirm November services and spa access.
View hotel & check availabilityStar-rating source3-star hotels
01★★★
Villié-Morgon · nearby wine village
Noemys Morgon – Le Villon
3-star · village hotel and regional restaurant
Why we would choose it
A wine-village base keeps the stay in the Beaujolais landscape and suits a quieter day after Sarmentelles.
Before you book
Arrange Beaujeu evening transfers and do not drive after tastings. Confirm November hotel and restaurant service separately.
View hotel & check availabilityStar-rating source02★★★
Fleurie · nearby wine village
Hôtel des Grands Vins
3-star · small vineyard hotel
Why we would choose it
A compact wine-country base suits tasting appointments and a slower recovery day around the northern Beaujolais crus.
Before you book
Beaujeu requires a car transfer; prebook the midnight return. Official tourism lists a 2026 season through 29 November; reconfirm future years.
View hotel & check availabilityStar-rating sourceTHE PRACTICAL BIT
Getting there
Airport Lyon Saint-Exupéry (LYS)
On arrival Take Rhônexpress to Lyon Part-Dieu for a city base, or arrange a direct regional transfer. Beaujeu needs an onward road journey.
Getting around Reserve festival-night transport in advance. Rural trains and buses are not a dependable after-midnight return from the celebrations; ask the organiser about annual access arrangements.
Check services for your travel dates.Research checked 7 October 2026 · schedules and facilities may change.Photo credits