In mid-November, Beaujeu takes centre stage in Beaujolais: from 18 to 22 November 2026, the Sarmentelles celebrate the new vintage with tastings, music, food and a market. The festival town is also the historic capital of the wine region. Stay for a few days and, beyond the main event, you will find traces of a long local history and a way into a landscape shaped by winegrowing.
The opening on Wednesday, 18 November, takes you straight into the festivities. A tasting trail featuring the twelve Beaujolais appellations, as well as Beaujolais blanc and rosé, is scheduled in the town centre from 5pm to 9pm. A torchlight procession follows at 11pm, with the “Percée” (ceremonial tapping) of the Beaujolais nouveau at midnight on the Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville. The organiser lists the tasting trail at 15 euros, including tastings and a glass, among other things. The programme also includes concerts and festive dinners. Those who prefer to taste by daylight can combine their visit with the Salon des vins (wine fair), planned for Friday, 20 November, to Sunday, 22 November, on the Promenade des Sarmentelles. The organiser publishes details of the individual events and booking conditions online.
Beaujeu tells its own story
Beaujeu is more than a backdrop for the new wine. The Sires de Beaujeu shaped the town’s history and gave the region its name. The medieval church of Saint-Nicolas and a Renaissance house with timber framing and a courtyard are among the town’s historic sights. A walk through the streets combines well with a visit to the Maison du terroir beaujolais.
Here, the Musée Marius Audin displays parts of its collection on the history and traditions of Beaujolais. The permanent exhibition brings together subjects such as wine, regional cuisine and geology; in 2026, it is joined by the exhibition “Impressions beaujolaises”, about the Monts du Beaujolais. The building also houses a shop selling wines and products from local producers. The journey thus leads from the glass back to the soils, landscapes and craft traditions that define Beaujolais.
The final leg goes via Belleville
From Lyon, take a TER train to Belleville-sur-Saône; from there, bus route 235 connects Belleville-en-Beaujolais with Beaujeu. In principle, this combination makes the journey possible without your own car. For the actual day of the festival, however, the published departure times are what matter: timetables can change, and the municipality has announced traffic and parking restrictions during the Sarmentelles.
A return journey by bus and train on the same night after the midnight ceremony has not been confirmed as a reliable option. Anyone wishing to experience the tapping of the barrel should therefore arrange an overnight stay in Beaujeu or nearby, and settle both accommodation and the return journey in advance. The same applies to the other evening events: do not rely solely on the regular bus service, but check the last connection for the day in question.
The next morning, a quieter look at Beaujeu offers a counterbalance to the festival bustle: through the lanes, into the Maison du terroir, or to the market and the wine fair at the weekend. The Sarmentelles are a good reason to make the trip. Their added value lies in connecting the young wine with the town that gave the whole region its name.
Original reviewed by the editors · 13 November 2026
