From Lyon, the list of places to visit for a day trip or a weekend has become so impressive that we felt compelled to create a sort of “best of the best”—the cream of the crop, as we say in Lyon. To do this, we’ve been completely objective, selecting the 5 villages closest to Lyon (within 100 kilometers as the crow flies) that have been awarded the “Most Beautiful Villages of France” designation . That way, there’s no room for doubt. As a reminder, only 184 villages in France can proudly display the sign at the entrance to their town. Out of the 35,000 municipalities in France… we’ll let you do the math.
Among the must-see destinations within 100 kilometers of Lyon, summer or winter, Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez stands out as a true gem. This small medieval village of fewer than 500 inhabitants is the only village in France built around a monastery, offering a peaceful setting in the heart of the Pilat Regional Nature Park. Ranked among the “Most Beautiful Villages of France,” it captivates visitors with its history and architecture, preserved since the 13th century. Finally, in 2025, Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez joined the very exclusive ranks of the British newspaper The Times’ list— cheers!
🚗 By car: In the Pilat Park, accessible via the A47 highway (Rive-de-Gier or Saint-Martin-la-Plaine exit) followed by a small mountain road. About 55 min (47 km) from Lyon.
🚆 By public transit: Take the TER from Lyon or Saint-Étienne to Rive-de-Gier. Then, take the STAS bus (or on-demand transport) to the village.
A 10th-century keep and narrow streets paved with pink stone transport you back to the heart of the past. In this selection of the most beautiful villages within 100 kilometers of Lyon, Semur-en-Brionnais stands out with its medieval atmosphere. This small village in the Brionnais region offers remarkable medieval heritage and lovely rural panoramas. Less than 100 kilometers from Lyon, it makes for an ideal getaway for a day or even a weekend (combined with a visit to nearby Charolles or Cluny!)
🚗 By car: In the Charolais countryside, accessible via the A89 and national highways. Allow just under 1 hour and 50 minutes (129 km) from Lyon, or 50 minutes from Roanne.
🚆 By public transit: The least accessible option. Take the TER to La Clayette or Paray-le-Monial, then a regional bus to Marcigny. The final leg of the journey (7 km) is usually done by taxi or bike.
This village shone last year by winning the famous France 3 TV show “Village préféré des Français” and representing the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, which won for the first time! And when you take a closer look at Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye, you’ll understand why. Cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, colorful facades, and of course its majestic Gothic abbey, listed as a historic monument since 1840. We highly recommend it!
🚗 By car: West of Grenoble. Take the A43, then the A49 or the national highway. About 1 hour 40 minutes (123 km) from Lyon, or 50 minutes from Valence/Grenoble.
🚆 By public transport: Take the TER to Saint-Marcellin station, then take the T63 regional bus toward Roybon (20 min).
This is clearly the must-see on this list. For its proximity to the Capital of Gaul and for its rich heritage. The village is brimming with charm, from floor to ceiling. Just one statistic: 81 historic monuments for 1,259 residents (INSEE 20218), or 1 monument for every 15 residents—in Paris, it’s 1 for every 1,173… France’s heritage is found above all in our villages!
🚗 By car: Very easy to reach via the A42 highway (exit 8). Allow about 40 minutes (40 km) from Lyon.
🚆 By public transit: Direct TER train from Lyon to the Meximieux – Pérouges station (30–45 min), then a 15–20-minute walk.
Let’s wrap up this roundup of the most beautiful villages around Lyon with the golden, bubbly cheese topping. The kind that usually doesn’t stay on the plate for long and leaves you wanting more. Oingt, the golden gem of the Beaujolais region, is the only village in the Rhône to bear the “Most Beautiful Villages of France” label—which means we must honor our home turf as it deserves! Needless to say, the village has all the heritage and beauty you need to spend a day (or two) in a spot just a stone’s throw from Lyon.
🚗 By car: In the Pierres Dorées region, quick access via the A6 highway, then departmental roads through the vineyards. About 45 min (40 km) from Lyon.
🚆 By public transport: Take the TER from Lyon to the Bois-d’Oingt – Légny station (45 min) or the Cars du Rhône bus. From there, it’s about a 45-minute walk (or hitchhike/taxi) to reach the village.
