Traveling through the Lyon area It's the perfect excuse to combine Medieval history, charming villages, fine dining and incredible landscapesJust a short distance from the city you will find golden stone villages, fortified towns, villages perched above rivers and small towns on the banks of the Rhône that are wonderful for a day trip or a weekend getaway.
If you've already visited the city, or are planning to stay there for a few days, it's worth setting aside time to go out by car or train and explore. 3 beautiful villages near Lyon that concentrate the best of the regionImpeccably preserved medieval architecture, vineyard routes, monumental abbeys, and picture-postcard corners. And, if you fancy extending your trip, there are plenty of other destinations nearby that fit perfectly into any journey.
Pérouges: a medieval gem just a stone's throw from Lyon
Pérouges is located about 30-40 km northeast of Lyon, on a small hill overlooking the Ain plain. It is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France And, as soon as you cross its fortified gates, you'll understand why.
Its urban layout has been preserved almost intact since the Middle Ages: irregular cobblestone streets, stone houses with timber framing and tiny windowsCorners that look like a movie set (in fact, several films have been shot here, including a version of "The Three Musketeers"). Wandering aimlessly is almost like stepping into a time machine.
The heart of the people is the Instead of LindenA small, welcoming square where medieval houses, traditional restaurants, and the fortified church blend together. Around it unfolds a network of cobbled streets where you'll discover charming details: doors with antique ironwork, artisans' signs, flower-filled courtyards…
One of the great treasures of Pérouges is its Medieval architecture preserved between the 13th and 17th centuriesMany half-timbered facades, stone lintels, and pitched roofs have been lovingly restored, respecting the original materials. It is a place much loved by photographers and lovers of medieval history.
Within the old town you can visit the Saint-Marie-Madeleine fortified church, with a robust and defensive appearance, and the small Museum of Pérouges, which reviews the history of the weavers' village, its guilds and its episodes of abandonment and subsequent restoration in the 20th century thanks to a heritage defense committee.
Being such a close destination to Lyon, many people visit in a half-day getawayIf you'd like to stay longer and enjoy it at a more leisurely pace, there are also charming little accommodations within the village or in the surrounding area. A popular option is to combine a visit to Pérouges with a trip towards Annecy or the La Dombes region, full of ponds and natural beauty.
Oingt and the Land of Golden Stones
To some 35-40 km northwest of Lyon Oingt, another of the "Most Beautiful Villages of France," is located there. It is part of the so-called Land of Golden Stones, an area of hills covered in vineyards and dotted with villages built with an ochre-colored limestone that, in the sun, takes on spectacular golden hues. The area is also known as the “Little Tuscany“Lyonian.”
Oingt is an old medieval walled village, perched on a hill which overlooks the Azergues valley and the sea of Beaujolais vineyards. Upon entering, you are greeted by its golden stone houses, many with wooden details, balconies overflowing with flowers, and gates that seem straight out of a history book.
Its main street and small cobbled alleyways are full of craft workshops, art galleries and small shopsIt's a hub for local ceramicists, painters, and artists. It's a destination closely linked to artistic creation, and you'll often find temporary exhibitions or open workshops.
One of the most emblematic spots is the tower of the old keep, from the 12th century, which can be visited. From the top you will have a 360º panorama Against a backdrop of rolling hills, vineyards, and other villages of golden stone, the scene at sunset, bathed in the warm light of the sun, is simply spectacular.
Beyond the town center, Oingt is surrounded by walking and cycling routes through vineyardsJust a short walk will take you to the heart of the countryside, with views of the Beaujolais hills and neighboring villages. If you enjoy wine tourism, this area is a paradise: you can alternate strolls through the vineyards with a glass of wine at family-run wineries.
It should not be forgotten that Beaujolais is one of the best-known wine regions in France, with the famous Beaujolais Nouveau, one of the most celebrated young wines in the world. Here, manual harvesting is mandatory in much of the appellation, which gives it an added traditional character compared to other areas.
La Beaujolais Wine Route It covers approximately 140 km from near Saint-Amour to south of Mâcon, passing through a dozen appellations of origin and a constellation of castles, wineries, and viewpoints. If you plan ahead, you can link Oingt with Villefranche-sur-Saône, the Château de Montmelas, the Château de Corcelles or the Château de JavernandMany of them are open to visits and tastings.
Oingt is also part of the typical weekend getaways from LyonMany people from Lyon take the opportunity to sleep in rural houses in the area, savor the cuisine of Beaujolais and disconnect among green hills, especially in spring and autumn, when the vineyards change color.
Crémieu: covered market, walls and medieval flavor
Just over 40 km east of Lyon Crémieu, another charming medieval village, is located in the Isère department. It was once a fortified city and an important trading center, and its architectural heritage It makes that very clear in every corner.
Crémieu preserves for a long time defensive walls, fortified gates, towers and the remains of the Dolphin CastleWalking along the top, skirting the walls, allows you to appreciate good views of the town's rooftops and the surrounding countryside.
In the center of the town stands one of its great icons: the medieval covered marketAn impressive wood and stone structure with a huge roof supported by thick beams. Markets and trade fairs were once held under this shed, and today it remains one of the most photogenic spots in Crémieu.
Another very interesting set is the former Augustinian conventWith its cloister, monastic buildings, and tranquil atmosphere, the monastery, along with the Gothic church and other religious buildings, forms a small cluster that reflects the spiritual and economic importance of Crémieu in the Middle Ages.
The city is making a strong bet on its past: it organizes medieval festivals and marketsIn addition to having a municipal museum and an interpretation center where the different phases of its history are explained, from the fortified era to its evolution as a commercial town.
Although the heritage is the star attraction, the gastronomy is not far behind. In Crémieu you will find Restaurants and inns where you can sample local cheeses, artisanal sausages, regional wines, and traditional desserts.The weekly market is a great time to mingle with locals and buy fresh produce from small producers.
The combination of ramparts, covered market, colorful houses and peaceful life makes Crémieu One of the most complete towns near Lyon for a day tripespecially if you are drawn to history and good food.
Nature and village getaways near Lyon
Besides the purely historical towns, the area around Lyon offers multiple combinations between nature, lakes, regional parks and charming villagesIf you enjoy combining hiking with cultural visits, this region is ideal.
Pilat Regional Natural Park and its villages
South of Lyon, shared between the Loire and Rhône departments, lies the Pilat Regional Nature ParkIt comprises some 72.000 hectares of gently rolling mountains, forests, meadows, and vineyards. It is one of the areas where the people of Lyon most often go for walks, bike rides, or simply to breathe fresh air.
Besides the scenery, Mount Pilat is dotted with charming towns such as Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez, Pélussin, Rochetaillée or Malleval. Their old towns, with stone houses and steep streets, blend very well into the rural environment.
The hiking trails here are varied: easy paths along ridges overlooking the Rhône Valley, routes through vineyards, road and mountain bike circuits, and even horseback riding. It can be reached from Lyon. about an hour's drive to the heart of the park.
Nearby lakes: cool off in summer
The Rhône-Alpes region is full of lakes that allow you to combine swimming, water sports and mountain scenerySeveral of them are easy to visit from Lyon on day trips.
One of the most popular is the Lake of the Fir TreesAbout 65 km away is an artificial lake, very popular with Lyonnais residents in the summer. It offers beaches, activities such as sailing, canoeing, paddleboarding, mini-golf, and treetop adventure courses, as well as a 4,5 km path around the water. It also boasts a large outdoor biological poolwhere the water is filtered through plants and minerals.
Very close to the city, about 20 minutes to the east, is the Lac des Eaux Bleuesin Miribel-Jonage Park. With several beaches (three free and one paid, Atol) and picnic areas, it is a very convenient option for taking a dip without having to travel far.
Further afield, in the Jura mountains, appears the Nantua LakeLake Lac, one of the area's large glacial lakes, is surrounded by mountains and offers hiking trails such as the Tour d'Horizon du Lac (approximately 14,5 km, 4 hours), with spectacular viewpoints and water colors that change with the weather.
If picture-postcard landscapes are your thing, then the following also deserves attention: Lake Aiguebelette, less than 100 km from Lyon, with its turquoise waters and tranquil beaches, or the Lake Bourget, already in the Aix-les-Bains area, both perfect for combining hiking and relaxing by the water.
Regional Natural Park of the Massif des Bauges
North of the French Prealps, a little over 140 km from Lyon, it extends Parc Naturel Régional du Massif des BaugesA limestone massif filled with forests, meadows, and accessible peaks. It's ideal for those who want a mountain environment without the steep inclines of the heart of the Alps.
Inside the park you will find rural villages like La CompôteLake Bourget is just a stone's throw away, and there are such interesting places as the Pont du Diable Canyon or the panoramic walkways of Revard, which allow you to enjoy immense views over valleys and lakes.
It's a very popular destination for practicing Hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing in winter, and wildlife and flora observationFrom Lyon, the road winds through mountains and valleys, so the journey itself is part of the experience.
Exploring the beautiful villages near Lyon and the surrounding landscapes allows you to experience a very different side of the region, combining perfectly preserved medieval villages, Beaujolais vineyards, Roman cities like Vienne, and getaways to the Alps and their lakesWhether you take a day trip to Pérouges, Oingt or Crémieu or link several destinations by car, the area offers a mix of heritage, gastronomy and nature that captivates and always leaves you wanting to return.