Traveling quickly south, there are holidaymakers on the A 6 motorway who ignore the beauty of the sites they cross too quickly to get bored on a beach. And then there are those curious, those who take their time, those who know how to enjoy life, those who leave the motorway to discover the treasures of a greedy France where traditional traditions and unusual encounters blend.
Beaujolais First Cru
France is never as beautiful as in this countryside of Southern Burgundy, at the borders of the Rhône and Saône-and-Loire. Between Mâcon and Villefranche-sur-Saône, north of Lyon, Romanèche Thorins is ideally located between Saône East and the Beaujolais hills west. It is in this fertile alluvial plain, dominated by vineyards, that the village of Romanèche-Thorins prospered over time surrounded by its many hamlets, a fortnight, and villages with equally famous names: Chénas, Fleurie, Saint-Amour, Villié-Morgon… But the most famous name is one of the hamlets of the commune: The Windmill. Built on the heights of Romanèche Thorins in the fifteenth century, this impressive, fully restored mill was originally designed to grind the grain. But it quickly became the symbol of an exceptional wine-growing area, that of the first delimited cru du Beaujolais since 1924, long before the creation of the Appellations of Origin Controlled. The culture of the most prestigious of the 10 Beaujolais wines can therefore only be achieved on the communes of Romanèche Thorins in Burgundy and Chénas in the neighboring Rhône. They are nearly 300 winemakers offering this sublime wine in the dark dress, this wine chartered with aromas and fruities that can age up to 10 years in our cellars.
Among the many tasting zones in the territory of the commune, it is one more remarkable than the others: the Hamlet Dubegg. A unique place in Europe, since it is the first park dedicated to the passion of vine and wine. Created in 1993 by the negotiator Georges Dubegg, nicknamed the «pope» of beaujolais and the global promoter of «beaujolais new». It is a real tourist complex with human size around wine, the first ecotourism site. Everything starts at the Wine Station with the discovery of the transport of precious goods. Then everything goes on at the Hamlet Dubegg where the process of vinification is explained in a playful way to all audiences with objects, machines, but also with models and a film in dynamic cinema to discover all the beauties of the beaujolaise region by following small bees. Finally, a Garden in Beaujolais allows the beautiful days to discover the scents of flowers, fruits and spices that make the richness of the aromas of wine, especially that of Moulin-à-Vent. You can even enjoy it by making a mini-golf with family, while the superb tasting room is rather reserved for adults who will discover the wonderful nectars of this land.
The Tradition of Companions
If the vineyard is ubiquitous in the landscape of Romanèche Thorins, the village houses many other riches that make this destination a succession of exciting visits. After discovering the secrets of the wine, these are other secrets that will be revealed to you at the Departmental Museum of the Compagnening. This is a term that we do not understand well and a tradition unknown to the general public, yet vital for the transmission of know-how among the best craftsmen in France. This departmental museum of the Compagnening manages to show us the history of this institution of vocational training, whose particularity is this long journey during which young apprentices will "enrich" humanely and professionally in contact with the most seasoned, forming a highly skilled workforce. A real "masterpiece" as we can admire in the museum thanks to the collective works of Companions who performed their Tour de France.
Let's go to the park.
If nature and man richly endowed the territory of Romanèche Thorins, there is a man who has made a great contribution to making this village known in Beaujolais far beyond borders: It's René Livet. Passionate about animals and livestock, he created in his home village a «breeding and acclimation center» before opening his own zoological park in 1961. Only in 1981 will this park take the name of Touroparc, constantly expanding and offering visitors to observe new animal species and have fun with new attractions. Because Touroparc. zoo is more than a zoological park, it is an opportunity to admire and understand the splendors of the animal world while contributing to the preservation of endangered species. It's also an opportunity to enjoy and entertain with many animations: Acrobatic journey in the air, a small train, old cars, a carnage of yesteryear… for adventurers of all ages, as well as an aquatic area with three giant slides (in July and August).
In a 12 hectare park, the entire team led by Dr. Franck Chaduc is concerned with the well-being of the 700 animals belonging to 140 species worldwide. Touroparc. zoo was one of the precursors to «natural» enclosures (first enclosures in 1983) when zoos left animals in cages on concrete ground. Another proof of this animal welfare, the many births registered in Touroparc. zoo with giraffes, Makis catta, Makis vari black and white, zebras, antelopes… not forgetting the famous white tigers of the Bengal with blue eyes that are the "stars" of the park. Seals, marine calves or lions of Africa, exotic snakes or colorful birds, great apes, elephants and rhinos, it takes at least one whole day to wonder in the face of so many diversity and beauty. A day that can be extended by accompanying, the time of one morning, an animal healer (by appointment, take it in advance) to the nearest animals or by choosing a privilege visit. In any case, Touroparc. zoo allows us to share unforgettable moments while realizing the fragility of wildlife.
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When is it? All seasons are pleasant in Southern Burgundy, but the nearby Saône can wrap in winter Romanèche Thorins from a cold fog that does not rise. Therefore, we prefer to come from spring to early autumn to enjoy the beauty of the beaujolais vineyards.
Go there. By car, coming from the south through the A 6 exit N ° 30 Belleville, then direction Mâcon by RN 6 (D 306) to Romanèche Thorins. Coming from the north by the A 6 exit N ° 29 Moulins, Mâcon sud, then follow direction Villefranche Lyon by RN 906. From Lyon, have 50 minutes. From Mâcon, have 25 minutes. By train, located on the Lyon line, Villefranche, Mâcon, Romanèche Thorins is very regularly served by TER.
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TOWN HALL OF ROMANECHE-THORINS - More information on the site
DESTINATION SAONE-ET-LOIRE - More information on the site
TOUROPARC. ZOO - More information on the site
CORPORATE MUSEE OF THE COMPANION - More information on the site
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