3 Unforgettable Day Trips from Lyon France: Annecy, Beaujolais, and Dijon
Lyon is one of those cities where you could easily spend several days exploring Roman ruins, Renaissance passageways (traboules), silk-weaving neighborhoods, and some of the best food in France.
But if you have a few extra days, it also makes an exceptional base for exploring the surrounding region.
The best day trips from Lyon France take you in completely different directions.
You can wander through the canals and medieval streets of Annecy at the foot of the French Alps, sample regional wines among the rolling hills of Beaujolais, or head north to Dijon to explore the historic capital of the Dukes of Burgundy.
Following my feature on the Amateur Traveler podcast discussing my overall Lyon itinerary, I put together this dedicated deep dive into regional excursions.
I originally researched these three trips while planning a longer stay in Lyon for January 2026. Althought an unfortunate flu bug postponed my on-the-ground execution, I applied the exact same meticulous planning framework I use for my professional travel clients.
In this guide, you’ll find direct comparisons between Annecy, Beaujolais, and Dijon, practical breakdowns of day trips from Lyon France by train versus day trips from Lyon France by car, and clear recommendations on where transportation choice makes or breaks the experience.
Best Day Trips from Lyon France at a Glance
| Destination | Best For | Approx. Journey Time | Best Way to Travel | Car Needed? | UNESCO Status |
| Annecy | Alpine scenery, lakeside paths, medieval canals | 2 hours | Train | No | Prehistoric Alpine Dwellings (Regional) |
| Beaujolais | Wine tastings, countryside, historic golden-stone villages | 35–45 minutes | Guided Tour / Private Driver | Recommended | UNESCO Global Geopark |
| Dijon | Burgundy history, Renaissance architecture, gastronomy | 1.5–2 hours | Train | No | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
📍 Interactive Lyon Day Trips Master Map
Use this interactive map to explore all three day trip itineraries from Lyon, including central train stations, key walking paths, and historic sites.
How to Use This Map:
📤 Share with Travel Partners: Click the share icon in the map header bar to instantly send this map to your travel companions via email or text so everyone stays on the same page.
🗂️ Toggle City Layers (Top-Left Icon): Click the slide-out menu icon in the top-left corner of the map header to switch individual layers on or off (e.g., focus solely on Dijon’s walking route or Beaujolais’s drive stops).
⛶ View Larger Map (Top-Right Icon): Click the square frame icon in the top-right corner to open the map in a dedicated, full-screen window for easier zooming and route planning.
- For Dramatic Scenery: Annecy is the standout. The combination of canal-lined streets, Lake Annecy, and the backdrop of the French Alps creates a distinct contrast to Lyon’s urban landscape.
- For Food and Wine: Beaujolais is the clear choice. Having a dedicated driver or joining a small-group tour ensures everyone can participate in winery tastings safely and stress-free.
- For History and Architecture: Dijon offers the highest concentration of medieval and Renaissance architecture, centered around the historic seat of the Dukes of Burgundy.
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Day Trips from Lyon France by Train or Car?
One of the main advantages of basing yourself in Lyon is access to France’s high-speed rail network. For most regional excursions, renting a vehicle is unnecessary and adds extra hassle.
Day Trips from Lyon France by Train
Both Annecy and Dijon are ideally suited for train travel. Arrival stations in both cities are within easy walking distance of their historic centers, eliminating the costs and friction of rental cars, urban traffic, and parking garages.
- Station Check: Know Your Lyon Train Stations
- Lyon Part-Dieu & Lyon Perrache: These are the two primary city-center hubs. Always double-check which one your train departs from relative to your hotel, as they sit in different neighborhoods.
- Lyon Saint-Exupéry TGV: Located at the Lyon airport, roughly 20 miles east of the city center. Unless you are staying at an airport hotel or taking an excursion directly upon landing, do not book day trip trains departing from Saint-Exupéry as getting there from downtown requires a separate 30-minute ride on the Rhônexpress tram.
👉🏼 For a full breakdown of navigating Lyon’s transport hubs, see my comprehensive Lyon France Itinerary.
Day Trips from Lyon France by Car, Tour, or Private Driver
Beaujolais is the major exception where driving logistics matter significantly.
While regional trains connect Lyon to gateway towns like Villefranche-sur-Saône, the region’s main attractions – family-run wineries, vineyard vistas, and scattered medieval villages – are spread across rural countryside without direct public transit connections.
- Why a Tour or Driver Beats Driving Yourself: Renting a car gives you flexibility, but it requires assigning a designated driver who must skip wine tastings.
Booking a small-group tour or hiring a private driver allows your entire party to enjoy the tastings, eliminates rural navigation stress, and provides direct access to boutique estates that require advance reservations.
Annecy: Best for Alpine Scenery and Medieval History
Located at the edge of the French Alps where Lake Annecy flows into the Thiou River, Annecy combines a compact historic core with dramatic mountain backdrop views.
Annecy Train Station ➔ Tourist Office ➔ Vieille Ville (Old Town) ➔ Palais de l’Isle ➔ Cathédrale Saint-Pierre ➔ Château d’Annecy ➔ Pont des Amours & Jardins de l’Europe ➔ Lake Annecy / Plage des Marquisats
📱 Take this route with you: Follow this exact walking itinerary on your phone by opening the Interactive Annecy Day Trip Map.
Top Sights in Annecy
Vieille Ville (Old Town) & Palais de l’Isle
Upon arriving at the train station, head roughly half a mile south toward the historic center. The Vieille Ville is a pedestrian-friendly maze of cobbled lanes, pastel-painted buildings, and flower-decked canals.
At the center of the Thiou Canal stands the Palais de l’Isle, a 12th-century triangular fortress built directly into the riverbed.
Nerd Alert: A Medieval Fortress in the Canal
While the Palais de l’Isle looks like a fairy-tale castle today, its history is far grittier. Over the centuries, this single structure served as a residence for local nobility, a coin mint, a courthouse, and a county prison.
Standing on the bridge today, you’re looking at what was once the heavy-handed administrative center of Geneva’s nobility.
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre
Located nearby, this cathedral dating back to the 1500s features a blend of late Gothic design elements (such as its rose window and stained glass) and Renaissance stone detailing around the doorways. Its manageable size makes it an easy, rewarding cultural stop during a morning walk.
Château d’Annecy
Positioned on a hill overlooking the town, the former residence of the Counts of Geneva offers wide views across Annecy’s rooftops and toward the lake. Inside, the castle houses regional history exhibits, art collections, and an observatory dedicated to Alpine lake environments.
Lake Annecy & Pont des Amours
After exploring the town, walk through the Jardins de l’Europe toward the shoreline. Pass over the Pont des Amours (Lovers’ Bridge), which spans the canal inlet and provides framed views of the open lake and surrounding mountains.
During warmer months, consider:
- Renting a kayak, paddleboard, or motorboat along the shoreline.
- Visiting Plage des Marquisats, a lawn beach located just south of the Old Town.
- Walking or cycling along sections of the 25-mile paved greenway (Voie Verte) surrounding the lake.
What to Eat in Annecy
Given its location in Haute-Savoie, Annecy specializes in rich Alpine cuisine:
- Raclette: Melted cheese scraped fresh over boiled potatoes, charcuterie, and cornichons.
- Fondue Savoyarde: A shared pot of melted Beaufort, Comté, and Emmental cheeses blended with white wine, served with crusty bread cubes.
- Tartiflette: A baked gratin of sliced potatoes, Reblochon cheese, lardons, and onions.
- Wine Pairing: Pair these dishes with crisp, dry Savoie white wines such as Apremont or Roussette de Savoie.
How to Get There
Take a direct regional train from Lyon Part-Dieu to Annecy (approx. 2 hours). The station is a 10-minute walk from the Old Town.
✅ Book a Guided Day Excursion to Annecy from Lyon
Beaujolais: Best for Wine, Villages, and Countryside
Located just 45 minutes north of Lyon, the Beaujolais region features rolling vineyard hills, historic golden-stone villages (Pierres Dorées), and deep winemaking heritage designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Departure from Lyon ➔ Scenic Drive along the Beaujolais Wine Route ➔ Historic Village Walk (Oingt) ➔ Estate Tour & Tasting ➔ Regional Bistro Lunch ➔ Afternoon Vineyard Stop ➔ Return to Lyon
📱 Plan your drive on your phone: Open our Interactive Master Lyon Day Trips Map and toggle to the Beaujolais layer to view golden-stone villages and wineries.
Highlights of the Beaujolais Wine Region
The Beaujolais Wine Route (Route des Vins)
Stretching roughly 87 miles through vineyard countryside, this scenic drive winds past estate châteaux and 10 distinct Cru wine-producing areas (including Morgon, Fleurie, and Moulin-à-Vent). Focusing on 2 to 3 quality stops rather than covering the whole route yields a far better day trip experience.
Historic Golden-Stone Villages (Pierres Dorées)
The southern portion of Beaujolais is famous for its warm, yellow limestone architecture. The premier village to visit is Oingt, classified among the Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages of France). Walk its preserved medieval alleys, climb the 13th-century keep, and visit local craft artisan shops.
Nerd Alert: Beaujolais Is Far More Than Beaujolais Nouveau
Global marketing made “Beaujolais Nouveau”, which is the quick-fermented young wine released every third Thursday of November, a household name.
However, the region’s true winemaking heritage lies in its 10 Cru Beaujolais appellations. Produced entirely from the Gamay grape grown on granite-rich soils, these high-quality red wines offer aging potential, complexity, and structure comparable to fine Burgundies.
What to Eat and Drink in Beaujolais
- Coq au Vin: Chicken slow-simmered in regional Beaujolais red wine, pearl onions, and mushrooms.
- Charcuterie Platters: Locally cured terrines, rosette de Lyon, and dry sausages paired with Gamay wines.
- Rigotte de Condrieu & Regional Goat Cheeses: Served with fresh bread and local honey.
- Bugnes: Light, crispy fried pastry fritters dusted with powdered sugar.
How to Get There
Driving independently takes 45 minutes via the A6 highway. However, to fully enjoy wine tastings without navigation headaches or safety concerns, booking an organized tour or hiring a private driver is strongly recommended.
✅ Book an Oingt and Beaujolais Wine Tour From Lyon
✅ Book a Signature Wine Experience from Lyon
Dijon: Best for Medieval Burgundy and Architecture
As the historic capital of the Duchy of Burgundy, Dijon is filled with grand civic architecture, Gothic churches, and rich culinary traditions. The city’s entire historic core is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dijon Ville Station ➔ Historic Center Walk ➔ Place de la Libération ➔ Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy ➔ Church of Notre-Dame & Owl Trail ➔ Regional Wine/Mustard Tasting
📱 Navigate the UNESCO core on your phone: Open our Interactive Master Lyon Day Trips Map and toggle to the Dijon layer to trace the Ducal Palace and Owl Trail stops.
Top Sights in Dijon
Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy (Palais des Ducs)
Dominating the central Place de la Libération, this massive palace complex served as the seat of Burgundy’s sovereign dukes during the late Middle Ages. Today, it houses Dijon’s city hall and the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon, one of France’s oldest and largest fine art museums.
Nerd Alert: When Burgundy Rivaled the Kingdom of France
During the 1300s and 1400s, the Dukes of Burgundy (such as Philip the Bold and Charles the Bold) ruled over vast territories stretching from eastern France into modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands.
Their court rivaled the French crown in wealth, artistic patronage, and military strength. Standing before the palace in Dijon puts you at the center of a former European superpower.
Church of Notre-Dame of Dijon
This masterpiece of Burgundian Gothic architecture dating back to the 1200s features an iconic facade decorated with dozens of carved gargoyles and a historic mechanical Jacquemart clock brought from Belgium in 1383.
The Owl Trail (Parcours de la Chouette)
The simplest way to navigate Dijon on foot is by following the Parcours de la Chouette. Small brass owl markers set directly into the street pavement guide visitors through 22 historic stops across the pedestrian core.
- The Good Luck Tradition: On the north side of the Notre-Dame church, locate the small, weathered stone owl carved into the wall. Local legend dictates that rubbing the owl with your left hand while making a wish brings good luck.
What to Eat and Drink in Dijon
- Dijon Mustard: Visit historic shops like Maison Maille (established 1747) to taste fresh, draft-pumped artisanal mustard infused with white wine.
- Beef Bourguignon: Classic Burgundy beef stew braised in local Pinot Noir with root vegetables and lardons.
- Boeuf / Oeufs en Meurette: Poached eggs served in a rich red wine reduction sauce.
- Wine Tasting: Sample Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines from the nearby Côte de Nuits wine district.
How to Get There
Frequent High-Speed (TGV) and regional trains run directly from Lyon Part-Dieu or Lyon Perrache to Dijon Ville (1.5 to 2 hours).
✅ Book a Guided Walking Tour & Gastronomy Tasting in Dijon
✅ Book a Half-Day Wine Tour from Dijon
Honorable Mentions: Other Popular Day Trips from Lyon
If you have already visited Annecy, Beaujolais, or Dijon, consider these additional regional day trips:
- Pérouges (40 minutes by car / train + bus): A remarkably preserved, hilltop medieval walled village featuring cobblestone streets, timber-framed houses, and its famous local specialty, Galette de Pérouges (a warm, buttery sugar pastry).
- Vienne (20 minutes by train): Located directly south along the Rhône River, Vienne features impressive Roman monuments, including a remarkably intact 1st-century Temple of Augustus and Livia, and a large ancient amphitheater.
Frequently Asked Questions About Day Trips From Lyon
What are the best day trips from Lyon France by train?
Annecy and Dijon are the top train options. Both feature direct rail connections from Lyon and walkable historic centers right next to their arrival stations.
Can you visit Beaujolais from Lyon without a car?
Yes, but with caveats. You can take a train to gateway towns like Villefranche-sur-Saône, but reaching scattered rural wineries and hilltop villages like Oingt requires taking a guided tour or hiring a private driver.
Is Annecy worth visiting as a day trip from Lyon?
Yes. Although the train ride takes roughly 2 hours each way, leaving early gives you a full day to explore the medieval Old Town, tour the castle, eat a leisurely Alpine lunch, and spend the afternoon on Lake Annecy.
How much time should I spend in Lyon before taking day trips?
Plan for at least 2 to 3 full days in Lyon itself to experience the historic quarters (Vieux Lyon, Croix-Rousse, Presqu’île), Roman ruins, and food scene before adding day trips to your schedule.
Plan Your Visit to Lyon and Beyond
Using Lyon as a hub allows you to experience the diversity of eastern France—from Alpine lakes and medieval fortresses to world-class vineyards—without changing hotels every night.
- Next Steps: Check out my complete Lyon France Itinerary to structure your time inside the city, select the right neighborhood for your hotel stay, and organize your transportation logistics smoothly.
Need Help Planning Your Trip to France?
Trying to choose the right day trips, navigate train schedules, or build a balanced itinerary across France? As a professional travel advisor specializing in culturally immersive and historical travel, I create custom itineraries tailored to your specific travel style.