Villefranche-sur-Saône, France

A destination first: Villefranche, the Beaujolais and Lyon

Staying with us means choosing a rich and well-balanced destination, where a lively historic town, an exceptional wine region and unspoiled nature come together with the added benefit of easy access to major cities, all without relying on a car.

Our home is located in the very heart of Villefranche-sur-Saône, within the protected heritage area, allowing you to explore on foot the town’s historic squares and streets, covered market, pedestrian Rue Nationale, parks and vibrant local life. Villefranche is a genuine, welcoming town, lively and convivial, and an ideal starting point.

Just a few minutes away begins the Beaujolais, a territory far richer and more diverse than the simple image of Beaujolais Nouveau. Here you will discover 10 emblematic crus (Fleurie, Morgon, Moulin-à-Vent, Chiroubles, Juliénas…), shaped by an accessible and friendly wine culture, embodied by passionate winegrowers. Tastings, open cellars and family-run estates naturally blend with walks through the vineyards, hiking trails and beautiful cycling routes.

The Beaujolais is also renowned for its villages of character, easily reached from Villefranche:
Oingt, listed among The Most Beautiful Villages of France, Fleurie, a panoramic village in the heart of the vineyards, Beaujeu, the historic capital, as well as Vaux-en-Beaujolais, Ternand and Salles-Arbuissonnas. Golden-stone villages, narrow streets, Romanesque churches and small village squares form a human-scale heritage, easy to explore with children.

The region is also shaped by a unique “Route of the Châteaux”, dotted with wine estates and historic residences from the 17th to the 19th centuries, many of which are still inhabited or in use today. Here, heritage is not frozen in time: it is visited, tasted and lived, following the rhythm of the seasons.

From a natural perspective, the Beaujolais offers remarkable diversity: forests, rolling hills, ridgelines, gentle or more challenging hiking trails, and spectacular viewpoints such as Mont Saint-Rigaud, the highest point of the Rhône department, with breathtaking 360° panoramas. It is a varied, never extreme landscape, ideal for a well-balanced stay combining discovery and relaxation.

The Beaujolais is also internationally recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark, highlighting over 500 million years of geological history, with geosites, former quarries, panoramic viewpoints and a new immersive geology museum.

🚲 With bike-sharing stations directly in front of the house, it is easy to reach the first vineyard slopes and nearby villages.
🚆 The train station is a 5-minute walk away, with direct connections to Lyon (25 min) or Mâcon (30 min), making it easy to complement your stay with a major cultural and gastronomic city, Southern Burgundy, the Bresse, the Dombes or the Monts du Lyonnais.

Villefranche thus becomes an ideal central base to explore the Beaujolais, combining art de vivre, vineyards, heritage, nature and culture, in a spirit of authentic discovery.

A character home designed for urban comfort

Our house is a typical late-19th-century Caladoise townhouse, approximately 300 m², fully renovated with care. It has retained its soul and architectural character while offering a high level of acoustic and thermal comfort, rare for a city-centre property.

Thanks to excellent sound insulation (high-performance double glazing) and the quality of the renovation, the house offers real tranquillity, even during the day. Its natural thermal inertia helps protect it from summer heat, and all rooms are air-conditioned, ensuring optimal comfort throughout the year.

The absence of overlooking neighbours, generous volumes and outdoor spaces create a sense of space and privacy that is uncommon in town.

A private elevator serves the different levels, providing everyday comfort.

Guest accommodation

Guests have access to:

4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms:

on the top floor: 1 bedroom (140×200 bed), 1 bedroom with a sofa bed (premium 140×200 mattress), and 1 bathroom,

on the lower level: 2 children’s bedrooms (single bed each) and a second bathroom (shower and bathtub),

access to the ground-floor living areas (living room, dining room, kitchen and pantry),

a laundry room and a large playroom.

These spaces are clearly defined and well suited for a family stay.

Rare outdoor spaces in the city centre

You will also enjoy:

a secure driveway allowing you to park a car,

a large south-facing terrace, ideal for outdoor meals,

a quiet, private inner courtyard with a small garden and a trampoline for children.

The spirit of the exchange

We are looking to exchange with individuals or families who wish to experience a place, respect the home and how it functions, and favour an approach based on trust and mutual respect rather than a purely touristic mindset.

We are, of course, happy to discuss dates and arrangements in advance to ensure that the exchange suits both parties.

Discover our region :
https://www.beaujolais-tourisme.com/en/les-incontournables.html
https://www.beaujolais-tourisme.com/en/villefranche-sur-saone.html?apidae_geoloc=45.985168,4.7157777
https://www.beaujolais-tourisme.com/en/aux-alentours.html