Saint-Étienne-La-Varenne brings together medieval architectural history, winegrowing and sweeping landscapes. Château des Tours includes a preserved tower dating from the 12th century; visitors are welcomed for tastings at the Tour Carrée. At the western exit from the village, the view stretches from Beaujolais to the Alps. There is also a Romanesque church and a designated nature reserve. Together, these offer distinct themes for an exploratory trip: culture, wine and landscape.
Château des Tours: Tower and Tastings
Château des Tours still has a cylindrical, so-called Saracen tower dating from the 12th century. At the same château, the public is welcomed at the Tour Carrée for tastings. The tower and the tastings appeal to different interests: architectural history on the one hand, wine on the other. Tasting arrangements may change; check the current details before your visit.
Winegrowing on Two Scales
In the lower part of Saint-Étienne-La-Varenne, vineyards cover 360 hectares, producing Beaujolais Villages and Brouilly. A separate figure concerns Château des Tours: it includes around 50 hectares of contiguous Gamay vineyards, all classified as Cru Brouilly. The two figures refer to different contexts: the 360 hectares apply to the lower part of the village, while the approximately 50 hectares are the château’s contiguous vineyards. To understand winegrowing here, it helps to distinguish between the area within the village and the specific grape variety and classification at the château.
Panoramic Views and Nature Reserve
A viewpoint at the western exit from the village offers views of the Beaujolais hills, the Monts du Lyonnais, La Dombes, Le Bugey and the Alps, including Mont Blanc. The far-reaching view thus extends from the Beaujolais hills to the Alps, with Mont Blanc explicitly part of the panorama. Les Landes du Beaujolais is designated as a nature reserve. These two features offer different perspectives on nature and the landscape: a named viewpoint with a wide panorama, and a specifically named protected area.
Church and Hiking Date
The Romanesque church dates from the 12th and 13th centuries. Together with the tower of Château des Tours, it adds a historical and cultural note alongside the wine and landscape themes. Its dating also includes the 13th century, while the tower dates from the 12th century. The “La Rando des Sarments” hike is scheduled for the first weekend in March. If the hike is a deciding factor in choosing your dates, check in advance whether it is taking place in your travel year.
Practical Planning for Motorhomes
There is a motorhome service area in the village centre, with facilities for changing the oil, refilling water and charging batteries. If you are arriving by motorhome, you can factor these three services into your practical planning. Since services may change, check the details before departure. This keeps travel planning separate from the other possible focuses of your stay: architectural history, winegrowing, landscape or a specific hiking date.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Forgeux, Saint-Genis-Les-Ollières, Bessenay, Saint-Loup, Saint-Symphorien-D'ozon, Sathonay-Camp, Lancié, Émeringes
For the broader travel overview: Rhône.
