Genas

Day Trips

Begin your journey in Genas with a leisurely breakfast at a local boulangerie, sampling fresh croissants and café au lait. Wander through the village center to admire its quaint architecture and friendly atmosphere. Take time to check into your accommodation and settle in before embarking on the day’s adventures.

Head to the Parc du Maison Blanche for a relaxed stroll among oak trees and ephemeral wildflowers. Pop into a nearby café for a light lunch of charcuterie and regional cheese. Chat with locals to gather insider tips on hidden gems in and around Genas.

Dine at a family-run bistro offering Lyonnais cuisine, savoring local dishes such as quenelles or saucisson brioché. Pair your meal with a crisp white wine from the nearby vineyards. End the day with a gentle walk under the lampposts of the village, absorbing the tranquil evening air.

Rise early to capture the soft morning light over the village’s stone houses and tiled roofs. Visit the church of Saint-Barthélemy and admire its 19th-century stained glass windows. Enjoy a light breakfast in a hidden courtyard café, where the scent of freshly baked brioche fills the air.

Explore the artisanal shops lining the narrow streets, browsing handmade soaps, regional honey, and linen textiles. Stop at a local farm stand for seasonal fruits and freshly pressed apple juice. Relax on a bench in the municipal garden while watching families and students go about their day.

Attend a traditional pétanque game in the village square to experience local leisure culture. Order a platter of regional charcuterie from a food truck encircling the greens. Toast to a perfect day with an apéritif of pastis or a chilled rosé.

Set out early for the weekly market in Corbas, just a short drive from Genas, where stalls overflow with produce, cheeses, and artisanal breads. Engage with vendors about the origins of their products and sample olives cured in fragrant herbs. Select fresh ingredients for an afternoon cooking masterclass.

Join a regional cooking workshop led by a Michelin-trained chef in a rustic farmhouse kitchen. Learn to prepare traditional Lyonnais dishes such as gratin dauphinois and coq au vin using your market finds. Savor the fruits of your labor paired with local wines while exchanging stories with fellow participants.

Return to Genas for a sunset aperitif on your balcony or terrace, reflecting on your culinary accomplishments. Share photos of your creations with friends or on social media. Rest early to recharge for tomorrow’s journey into Lyon’s heart.

Travel into Lyon and take the funicular to Fourvière Hill for panoramic views of the city and the Rhône and Saône rivers. Tour the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, admiring its intricate mosaics and gleaming golden statue. Chat with pilgrims and visitors in the tranquil gardens that surround this hilltop sanctuary.

Descend into Vieux Lyon and wander the Renaissance-era streets of Saint-Jean, stopping to browse antique shops and silk ateliers. Enjoy a bouchon Lyonnais lunch, tasting traditional fare like andouillette and Lyon-style sausage. Explore the secret traboules hidden behind discreet doorways, marveling at their courtyard connections.

Stroll along the Rhône waterfront as the sun sets, watching lights reflect on the water. Dine at a riverside brasserie offering modern French cuisine with a regional twist. Cap off the night with a locally brewed craft beer at a microbrewery near the Presqu’île.

Drive into the Monts du Lyonnais for a guided sunrise hike through rolling green hills and fragrant beech forests. Pause at a marshland viewpoint to observe wetland birds and capture golden morning rays. Sip on wild berry-infused herbal tea prepared by your guide.

Set up a picnic in a meadow overlooking vine-covered slopes, feasting on fresh bread, artisanal cheese, and seasonal fruits. Continue your trek to a hidden waterfall where you can dip your feet in the cool stream. Learn about local flora and fauna from your knowledgeable guide.

Return to Genas and treat yourself to a spa session or soothing massage to ease your muscles. Order a light dinner of salad Lyonnaise with lardons and poached egg. Retire early to dream of tomorrow’s vineyard escapades.

Journey north to the Beaujolais region and meet a family-owned winery for a cellar tour among ancient stone barrels. Discover the unique carbonic maceration method behind Gamay grapes and sample fresh-pressed must. Stroll through vine rows alive with spring buds, enjoying the earthy scent of new growth.

Indulge in a gourmet lunch at the domain’s terrace restaurant, paired with several vintages of crisp, fruity Beaujolais village wines. Visit the château’s private garden to pick fresh herbs for an impromptu salad demonstration. Shop for special bottles to bring home as souvenirs.

Return to Genas via scenic backroads, stopping for sunset photos over sweeping vineyard vistas. Share a light tapas-style dinner featuring local olives, roasted peppers, and artisanal pâtés. Savor your final glass of Beaujolais as the day fades into dusk.

Head south to Vienne, exploring the Roman Theatre, one of the best-preserved ancient amphitheaters in France. Walk amid towering columns at the Temple of Augustus and Livia, imagining imperial processions. Pop into the archaeological museum to see stunning mosaics and artifacts.

Enjoy a riverside lunch of grilled fish and Provençal vegetables while watching boats drift along the Rhône. Wander through Vienne’s medieval quarter, admiring centuries-old houses and ivy-clad stone walls. Treat yourself to a scoop of artisan gelato from a family-run parlor.

Return to Genas and dine at a gourmet seafood restaurant specializing in fresh Mediterranean catches. Order a seafood platter to share, savoring oysters, prawns, and clams. Conclude with a peaceful walk by torchlight through the village lanes.

Rent e-bikes in Genas and set off along the greenways tracing the Rhône River banks. Feel the cool breeze as you cycle past poplar trees and gently flowing waters. Stop at a riverside café for a mid-ride espresso and almond croissant.

Cross over to the left bank and visit small villages like Givors, sampling homemade jams and local pastries. Pause for a picnic lunch of crusty bread, ham, and cheese at a shaded riverside spot. Continue pedaling through vineyards and fields, breathing in fresh country air.

Return your bikes and freshen up at your lodging. Head to a cozy pizzeria in town featuring wood-fired pizzas topped with Rhône Valley produce. Unwind over a glass of local red and share stories from the day’s cycling adventure.

Travel back into Lyon for a morning at a food festival showcasing regional specialties and street food stalls. Sample dishes such as andouillettes, choux buns filled with crème pâtissière, and artisanal chocolates. Meet passionate producers and learn about their craft processes up close.

Attend a live demonstration by a celebrated Lyonnais chef, watching as they fillet fish and prepare beurre blanc sauce with theatrical flair. Participate in a tasting workshop exploring the nuances of local charcuterie and rare cheeses. Purchase ingredients and souvenirs from festival vendors to take home.

Dine at a festival pop-up restaurant under twinkling lights, indulging in a curated tasting menu of modern takes on classic dishes. Enjoy live music from local jazz ensembles as you savor each course. Return to Genas feeling inspired by the city’s culinary creativity.

Pack your belongings and savor a final café crème and pain au chocolat at your favorite Genas bakery. Take a last walk through the village’s tranquil streets, photographing shutters and flower boxes. Reflect on favorite moments and jot down memories in a travel journal.

Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a countryside auberge just outside Genas, sampling a comforting gratin or velouté. Share a final toast with new friends you’ve made along the way, exchanging contact information for future adventures. Stock up on local specialties to carry home—olive oils, honeys, and small-batch wines.

Depart Genas for home or your next destination, feeling enriched by the warmth of the region and its people. En route, pull over at a scenic overlook for a last glimpse of gentle hills and villages. Arrive at your transfer point with a heart full of memories and plans to return soon.