The Beaujolais region is primarily known for its wines, but those who look further discover a landscape that captivates. In the south of this region lies Pierre Dorées, the land of golden stones. Here you’ll find rolling hills, vineyards, and villages bathed in a warm, ochre-yellow glow. The highlight of this area? Oingt. This medieval village belongs to the “Plus Beaux Villages de France” (Most Beautiful Villages of France). Its inclusion in the list of 100 most beautiful French villages is entirely justified. People come here for the atmosphere, the history, and the beauty of the landscape. For us, visiting Oingt was one of the highlights of our trip through Beaujolais. Why? We’d love to explain in this blog.

Pierre Dorées: The land of golden stones

The name Pierre Dorées refers to the limestone naturally occurring in this region. What makes this stone so special is its colour. The yellow hues vary from soft honey-coloured to bright ochre, depending on the light and time of day. Especially at sunrise and sunset, everything seems to glow.

This ochre-coloured stone is everywhere: in the houses, churches, and walls of the villages. It gives the area a unique appearance, different from elsewhere in France. The combination of warm colours and rustic countryside creates an almost magical setting.

Oingt is one of the best-preserved villages in Pierre Dorées. The ochre-yellow colour of the houses is immediately noticeable. This is no coincidence: the limestone used here has been locally quarried for centuries. Originally, this stone came from quarries in the surrounding area.

The choice of this stone is not only practical – it was widely available – but also culturally determined. Over the centuries, the inhabitants of Oingt and surrounding villages have ensured that the building style and materials were preserved. As a result, a visit to Oingt feels like a walk through a living painting.

Beautiful walk around Oingt

Before we immerse ourselves in the medieval village, we take a circular walk from Oingt. The description sounds attractive: beautiful views of Oingt, the Saône valley, and in clear weather, even Mont Blanc should be visible. However, we have little confidence. The mist hangs like a grey blanket over the valley, visibility is limited to about 50 metres. Nevertheless, we decide to make our round of just over six kilometres.

The first part goes along a tarmac road. Once again, we doubt whether we should continue walking, as we prefer to walk on winding and narrow forest paths. We press on anyway, and we certainly don’t regret it. A little later, the first rays of sun pierce through the mist. The sunbeams shine on an impressive tree, creating a magical image. When we exchange the tarmac road for a forest path, it becomes even more beautiful. At various points, we have a magnificent view of Oingt and the surroundings. Above the blanket of mist, the village shows itself in a beautiful way. The tower of Oingt stands out prominently above the other buildings.

Golden autumn colours

A little further on, we discover a small chapel in Romanesque style. Unfortunately closed, so we can’t admire it from the inside. The chapel looks newly renovated, it looks immaculate. But then we hear the story from a passer-by from the area. A grandfather had the chapel built only a few years ago for his grandchildren, as a memorial to their grandfather. So it’s not a historical monument from centuries ago.

As we leave the forest path, we descend towards Oingt. We walk along the vineyards. At this time, they show themselves at their best. The leaves of the vines are gold, yellow, and red. They completely adapt to the ochre-yellow colours of the houses in Oingt. This is how we approach the village and prepare ourselves for another highlight: enjoying the atmosphere in medieval Oingt. But we wouldn’t have missed this walk for the world.

Oingt: From medieval fort to tourist jewel

Oingt has a long history. The village was built in the Middle Ages on a hilltop, strategically located to control the surrounding valleys. A castle protected the village and provided security in turbulent times.

Over the centuries, the fort disappeared, but many of the old structures remained. The tower, narrow streets, and church still remind us of the medieval splendour. In the twentieth century, the village was almost forgotten. But thanks to restoration projects, Oingt is now one of the most beautiful villages in France.

The sights of Oingt

We discover there’s much to see in Oingt as we walk through the picturesque village.

The Tour d’Oingt

The landmark of the town is the tower (tour in French). This symbol of Oingt is the only tangible reminder of the medieval castle that stood on this site. Unfortunately, we can’t visit the tower today. A French TV crew is filming, and therefore the tower remains closed to the public. Normally, this is possible. Visitors then enjoy a beautiful view over the area. From the top, you look out over the vineyards, the hills, and in clear weather even the Alps.

Église Saint-Mathieu

This church is an oasis of tranquillity. The Romanesque architecture and the subdued interior make it a special place to pause for a moment. The Église Saint-Mathieu was built on the site of an older church from the 11th or 12th century. This first church was part of the medieval fort of Oingt and served as a spiritual centre for the local population. Over time, the original church fell into disrepair. In the 16th century, the current church was built. The sunlight falls beautifully into the church through the stained-glass windows. It makes this sober church even more atmospheric.

Strolling through the streets of Oingt

Perhaps the most enjoyable thing is strolling through the cobbled streets. Every time we notice something beautiful. A cat curiously looking at us from a window, the sunbeam falling on an ochre-yellow wall, a weathered door. All these details make it fun to wander through the town. Although Oingt is not large with only 700 inhabitants, we can certainly entertain ourselves for a few hours walking and enjoying the atmospheric images.

Oingt, a village of art and craft

Oingt not only has a rich history but also a strong artistic tradition. Over the centuries, the village has attracted creative spirits. The charm of the ochre-yellow stone streets and the breathtaking landscape of Beaujolais form a source of inspiration for many artists. Nowadays, Oingt is a beloved place for painters, sculptors, ceramicists, and other craftsmen.

We visit the studio of Cendrine, a glass artist. In no time, she manages to create beautiful small glass creations. She makes various jewellery from these, such as necklaces and bracelets. It seems simple how she heats the glass and makes special shapes and colours from it. But when my wife is allowed to try it too, it turns out to be not so easy. Her end products are immediately melted down again. They certainly can’t be used in the beautiful jewellery.

Not far from Oingt: The picturesque Theizé

The area around Oingt invites exploration. For example, less than five minutes away lies an equally charming village: Theizé. Now that we’re so close, we of course can’t skip that village. As we park the car there, a group of cyclists rushes past.

Theizé was first mentioned in the 13th century and has always played an important role in the region. Thanks to its location on a hill, it offered a strategic overview of the surrounding valleys. This made it a favourite place for nobility and wealthy families, who had impressive buildings and estates built there. Many of these historic buildings can still be seen, such as the Château de Rochebonne.

Charming village centre

The core of Theizé is a maze of narrow streets dotted with traditional houses, workshops, and small shops. It feels like taking a step back in time. Unlike some other villages in the region, Theizé has retained its authentic, unpolished character. This makes it a perfect destination for those looking for peace and an authentic atmosphere.

One of the highlights of the village is the Église Saint-Athanase, a beautiful church built in the typical style of the region. The building dates from the 16th century and has a beautiful interior with an impressive altar and colourful stained-glass windows.

In the village, we get into conversation with four French ladies, whom we had already encountered several times in Oingt earlier. They are on a walking holiday in Beaujolais and enjoy walking around cute villages, beautiful nature, and of course the beautifully coloured vineyards. We tell them that we made a beautiful walk near Fleurie the day before. They gladly take this tip to heart, as they are also going to visit Fleurie.

Wine tasting at Domaine Cédric Vincent

Theizé is surrounded by vineyards. After two visits to magnificent villages, we naturally want to end the day in a fitting way. What better way than to visit a wine estate in the area? That’s why we drive in a few minutes to Domaine Cédric Vincent. At the age of four, Cédric planted the first vine on his grandfather’s estate in Beaujolais. That became a decisive moment in his life. From then on, Cédric knew he wanted to become a winemaker.

Since 2010, he has owned his own domain with his wife. His viticulture is exclusively devoted to the cultivation of “Beaujolais” wines. In total, he owns 12 hectares of vineyards, from the Pierres Dorées in the south to the Moulin à Vent in the north.

We get the chance to taste various wines from his domain. With every sip, it’s a feast for all the senses. Especially the white wine appeals to us. White Beaujolais is not very common, only about 7% of Beaujolais wines are white. This Chardonnay is deliciously fresh, fruity, and has a delightful aftertaste. We are sold at the first sip. We take some bottles home with us.

Oingt, pearl of Beaujolais

In our opinion, Oingt is the most beautiful village in the area. You really shouldn’t skip this medieval place and surroundings if you visit Beaujolais. The golden stones, the tranquillity, and the rich history make it a place to cherish. With a visit to Theizé and one or more wine estates, you’ll experience a wonderful day. And if you like walking, we can certainly recommend our walking route around Oingt. You will certainly be impressed by the Pierre Dorées!

We visited Beaujolais at the invitation of Beaujolais Tourisme. A visit to Oingt and surroundings was one of the components of the programme. We have written the blog about this independently and objectively based on our own impressions.

You may also be interested in…

• Beautiful autumn walk in Fleurie, Beaujolais
• Beaune, the undisputed wine capital of Burgundy
• Cycling holiday through Burgundy on the Loire
• Burgundy wine route through the Côte d’Or
• Dijon, the Burgundian capital of mustard