If you're looking to woo a loved one at the same time as sampling the best of the reds, then our pick of romantic hotels in Beaujolais are for you; from no-holes-barred luxury to a cosy gypsy caravan.
Surrounded by formal gardens - including some delightful topiary - and 80 hectares of vineyards, Château du Pizay at Saint-Jean-d’Ardières, has a choice of sleek contemporary and romantic beamed rooms. Add a gourmet restaurant, a spa and an infinity pool overlooking the vineyards, and chances are you may never leave.
For sheer wanton luxury, Château de Bagnols, near Villefranche, is as good as the name suggests. A fortified country house, with corner towers, its vast rooms shimmer with antiques, painted panels and rich drapes. Dine amidst candlelight or on the romantic terrace with heavenly views over vineyards and lake surrounded by 100-year-old lime trees.
On the banks of the river Saône, just five miles from Villefranche, Le Clos du Chene is a relaxed country house with rooms are full of rustic romanticism: well-worn antiques, polished floor tiles and pretty drapes. There’s even a gypsy caravan if you want a cosy bolthole. An enormous sitting room, with vast fireplace and minstrels’ gallery, makes the perfect spot for post-prandial drinks.
