Think of Beaujolais as an immense chest filled with precious stones and gold. The chest metaphor is easy, but in this case, it’s really true! Precious stones, because its geological wealth is recognized by UNESCO’s Global Geopark label. For gold, let’s talk about the medieval villages known simply as “les Pierres Dorées”. Among them, the village of Oingt, a veritable gold nugget, is undoubtedly the most emblematic.
Oingt, one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”.
There are 182 such villages in France, yet only one in our department has been awarded the title. Don’t panic, though: a village just outside Lyon in the Isère region has just won the grand prize of Village Préféré des Français 2025, a first for the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Returning to Oingt, its location is already the stuff of dreams! Right in the heart of the Beaujolais region, the village’s ochre color contrasts with the green of the surrounding vineyards. In fact, the limestone used to build the village gives it a warm golden hue, giving the impression of being in Tuscany.
A village with ancient origins…
From the hilltop that serves as its pedestal, the village of Oingt has always looked like a checkpoint. Indeed, from the imposing keep (XIIIᵉ century), the view is simply magnificent. A 360º panorama allows you to admire the surrounding Beaujolais mountains, the Jura massif and, on a clear day, the Ventoux or even Mont Blanc. The view is truly impressive!
It’s easy to see why this village has long been the key post for controlling the routes between the Saône and Loire rivers. A Roman village that became a veritable fortress in the Middle Ages (judging by the size of this dungeon, bon diou!), the village was home to the seigneury of Oingt, one of the oldest in the region. This location gives the village a prime position in the Pierres Dorées region, and makes it an essential stop-off on the region’s famous wine route.
Once again, Lyon boasts a constellation of surrounding villages offering a multitude of day or weekend excursions. Add to this a stopover at one of the many lakes in the area, and you’ve got a winning combo!