Pierres Dorées

Located just a stone's throw from Lyon, the villages of the Pierres Dorées region in the south of Beaujolais are a gold mine for the eyes and leave you out of time! Never has an area been so well named. The villages have used the local limestone for their constructions, exploited in numerous small quarries. Its beautiful golden color has become the characteristic mark of the local habitat, as much for the houses as for the churches or the castles of the Pierres Dorées. The landscape, of hills and vineyards, takes, under the sun, the air of Tuscany. BARNES Lyon will take you to discover this beautiful region and its specificities, to live the dolce vita near Lyon. Find also other towns near Lyon as well as the districts of Lyon.

Living in the heart of the Pierres Dorées

These charming villages with their shimmering gilding welcome painters, draftsmen and other artists in search of inspiration. A day's walk through the Beaujolais countryside, followed by a stop in one of the 39 villages that make up the Pierres Dorées is enough to reactivate any creativity.

Between the terraces and other outdoor celebrations that punctuate the daily life of these villages, you will have the opportunity to rest to awaken your eyes and your taste buds.

A preserved history

More than a return to the past, it is an immersion in a distant culture that opens to you. In each village, a stone quarry was used to meet the local construction needs of the time: houses, wash houses, crosses or even vineyard huts. Aesthetics was not the priority, since the stone walls were plastered until the 19th century. Before 1914, some quarries were so active that they supplied not only the Beaujolais region, but also the whole of the Lyonnais region as far as the Swiss border.

Among the 39 villages of Pierres Dorées in the Beaujolais region, you will have the opportunity to admire ancient architecture and beautiful golden hues. Classified in 2008 among the most beautiful villages of France, the village of Bois D'Oingt is the perfect example. Surrounded by Oingt, the citadel of the Pierres Dorées whose tower can still be admired, the village offers cobbled streets inciting to stroll and walk. Like many of its equals, the village offers magnificent viewpoints with panoramic views. Some of the houses still have 15th century fireplaces, vaults with heavy doors, wash houses, etc.

The squares in the heart of the villages often have historical monuments. The beauty of this country is also due to the natural preservation and maintenance of the buildings.

As the southern gateway to the Beaujolais Wine Route, the hilly landscapes of the Pierres Dorées offer remarkable views from one village to another. Do not hesitate to discover the villages of Saint-Germain-Nuelles, Chessy les Mines, St-Jean des Vignes, Châtillon, le Breuil, Bully, Theizé, Bagnols, Jarnioux, Sorlin, Anse, Belmont, Charnay, Moiré, Morancé and so many others... Succumb to the charm of these medieval villages, perched and fortified, with their unique and beautiful architecture!

A privileged position

You are just a stone's throw from Lyon, in a dynamic area that is very well served by numerous highways and the SNCF train station. Numerous public services, hospitals, colleges, high schools, shops, cultural and sports associations contribute to the well-being of this region.