The capital of the Beaujolais area, Villefranche-sur-Saône in Rhône is full of remarkable heritage. Start your tour by discovering the many Renaissance houses on either side of Rue Nationale, architectural marvels with inner courtyards. The most beautiful examples include the Dephelines House and its rib vaulted path, the Italian's House with its ceremonial courtyard and polygonal turret, La Pêcherie with its Gothic and Renaissance façades, the Turret House and the Coupe d'Or inn, which was once the oldest inn in Villefranche-sur-Saône. To discover them, follow the trail called "The hidden treasures circuit", which takes you to visit 24 places in the old town.
Another beautiful building is the Collegiate Church of Our Lady of the Marshes (Notre-Dame-des-Marais), whose construction began in the 12th century and was completed in the 16th century. So the monument you see before you is both Romanesque and Gothic. Inside, you can admire the central nave with rib vaults, the 19th-century pipe organ, a 17th-century marble pulpit and superb old stained glass windows.
Located in the town's former grain market, the Paul Dini Museum provides a wonderful overview of the history of painting in Lyon and Auvergne Rhône-Alpes from 1865 to the present day. Based in a 15th-century house, the Conscripts Museum offers an immersion in the history of Conscripts Day, from its origins to modern times.
Enjoy a pleasant walk or stop for a picnic on the banks of the Saône before setting off to explore the Beaujolais vineyards, located just outside the town!