World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Lyons  - Excursions
Excursions

For a Half Day

Pérouges: The medieval city of Pérouges, surrounded by green fields, is situated in the Dombes region, about 34km (22 miles) from Lyons, and accessible from exit 7 of the A42. Once inside the city's ramparts, the visitor is transported back to the Middle Ages with a fortress church, picturesque houses and shops. Other features include the 'Porte d'en Bas' and the 'Porte d'en Haut' (the upper and lower gates), which lead onto rue des Rondes; and the Ostellerie (Hostelry), at the end of rue des Princes on place du Tilleul, one of the most beautiful residences in Pérouges, dating from the thirteenth century and listed as a historic monument. Information is available from the Tourist Office in Pérouges, dating from the thirteenth century and listed as a historic monument. Information is available from the Tourist Office in Pérouges (tel: (04) 74 61 01 14; e-mail: info@perouges.org; web site: www.perouges.org).

Grottes de la Balme (Grottos of Balme): These caves are one of the most beautiful natural wonders of France, situated about 45km (28 miles) away from Lyons, between Crémieu and Lagnieu. There is a lake, a waterfall and many other natural features to explore. A guided tour is available (tel: (04) 74 90 63 76; fax: (04) 74 90 67 03; cost: FFr35). The caves are closed between the 15 December and 1 February every year, but can be reached by following the signs to Crémieu, after exiting the A43 at Saint Quentin Fallavier.

For a Whole Day

Chemin de Fer du Vivarais (Vivarais railway):
The railway is located in a superb part of the Doux Valley. By road, it is accessible via the A7, exiting at Tain. By train, the closest stations are Tain-Tournon or Valence, from where a bus goes to Tournon. The railway, built between 1886 and 1905, goes from Tournon to Lamastre, powered by authentic equipment dating from the beginning of the century. The whole trip lasts two hours and passes through magnificent countryside. Trips are available from April to November (tel: (04) 78 28 83 34, fax: (04) 72 00 97 67).

Beaujolais area:
A day excursion in the Beaujolais area takes the visitor on a picturesque road through vineyards, and can incorporate the Hameau en Beaujolais (Hamlet in Beaujolais), situated 30km (19 miles) from Lyons in the heart of the Beaujolais area. The Hamlet (tel: (03) 85 35 22 22; e-mail: info@hameau-du-vin.tm.fr; web site: www.hameau-du-vin.tm.fr) is a living museum of vineyards and wine production, with guided tours lasting 90 minutes and costing FFr70. The price includes a free Beaujolais or Mâconnais wine-tasting session. The Hamlet is accessible from Lyons via the A6, exiting at Belleville; or by train from Lyons to Romanèche-Thorins.



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