A Nature Weekend Around Lyon: The Complete 2-Day Itinerary
Trade the pace of the city for the wooded trails of the Monts du Lyonnais on a nature weekend around Lyon. Just twenty minutes from Place Bellecour, the rolling hills of the Ouest Lyonnais offer gentle countryside made for long walks, wildlife encounters and slow, unhurried meals. This two-day itinerary takes you from the Col de la Luère to the wolves and birds of prey at Parc de Courzieu, with a stop in Lyon's old town along the way. Based at La Bergerie, a guest house tucked away in Pollionnay, you'll have the perfect starting point for exploring this unspoiled countryside without ever straying far from the city.
Why choose a nature weekend around Lyon
Lyon has a rare advantage: a major city backed by countryside that has stayed genuinely wild. A short drive from the centre and the scenery shifts — meadows, deciduous forests, golden-stone hamlets and waymarked trails replace the avenues. The Monts du Lyonnais rise to around 700 metres and open onto clear views over the Rhône valley and, on a clear day, the Alps.
This corner of France suits couples looking for quiet as much as families wanting to unplug the kids for a day. Distances stay short, most trails need no hiking experience, and every stop can be extended with a break built around local produce.
Day 1: hiking and wildlife in the Monts du Lyonnais
The first day of this nature weekend around Lyon builds around two highlights: an easy hike starting in Pollionnay, then an afternoon with the wolves and birds of prey at Parc de Courzieu. Moderate effort, plenty of wonder, and never more than thirty minutes from La Bergerie.
Morning: the Col de la Luère loop from Pollionnay
After a home-cooked breakfast, head to the car park by the Lionel Daudet climbing wall in Pollionnay, the starting point for a loop taking in the Col de la Luère and the Col de la Croix du Ban. Allow around 8.5 kilometres and three hours for this easy-rated route, mostly through forest, with a moderate 350 metres of elevation gain. The trail winds through shaded woodland before reaching the Col de la Luère at 714 metres, a popular crossroads for hikers and cyclists alike.
The hike suits families with children used to walking, as well as couples after an active but technically easy morning. Pack sturdy walking shoes, water and, depending on the season, a windbreaker: the col stays cooler and breezier than the valley below.
Distance: around 8.5 km (5.3 miles)
Duration: around 3 hours
Elevation gain: around 350 m
Difficulty: easy
Want to go further? The Yzeron variant
Hikers wanting to push further can head to Yzeron, about fifteen minutes from La Bergerie. The trail climbing toward the crêt de la Madone opens onto sweeping views over greater Lyon, while a small waterfall forms near the Châteauvieux chapel after rain. A good way to mix things up on a future stay, or to extend the first day's loop for more seasoned walkers.
Afternoon: wolves and birds of prey at Parc de Courzieu
The afternoon is set aside for Parc de Courzieu, around twenty minutes away via Vaugneray. Tucked deep in the forest of the Monts du Lyonnais, this park devoted to birds of prey and wolves runs commentated encounters throughout the day: European and Arctic wolves are fed late morning, the great flight of birds of prey takes place in the early afternoon, followed by a snail presentation and an owl display later on. Exact times shift with the season, so it's worth checking before you set off.
Expect to pay from around €18 for an adult and €14 for a child aged 3 to 12, with free entry under 3. The park opens daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. between April and November, and on weekends and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year. A picnic area and an on-site eatery mean you can take your time.
Evening: back to La Bergerie for the table d'hôtes
Back at La Bergerie, the evening winds down over the table d'hôtes, available on request: a home-cooked meal built around fresh, local ingredients, served in a warm, family atmosphere. It's also the moment to enjoy the garden or, for guests staying in the gypsy caravan, to unwind in the private hot tub before a restful night wrapped in hillside silence.
Day 2: gentle hills and a Lyon getaway
The second day of this nature stay favours a slower pace: an easy morning walk, then an afternoon steeped in Lyon's history. The perfect way to close out the weekend, balancing rural calm with urban energy, all within twenty minutes' drive.
A gentle walk between Vaugneray and Pollionnay
After breakfast, a short loop links Vaugneray and Pollionnay along the southern flank of the Monts du Lyonnais. Allow around two hours of easy walking through meadows, orchards and small woods, with barely any elevation change. It's a chance to see the Lyon countryside at its most authentic, well away from the crowds.
Families with younger children might prefer the riding centre in Pollionnay instead, which offers lessons, rides and pony activities — a gentler way to enjoy the outdoors without lacing up hiking boots. Book directly with the centre to check availability.
On to Lyon: the old town and Fourvière
By late morning, or after a final lunch, head to Lyon for an urban interlude. Twenty minutes from Pollionnay, Vieux Lyon and its traboules — covered passageways listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site — reward a slow wander between Renaissance façades and hidden courtyards. The Fourvière hill, reached by funicular, opens onto a sweeping view over the city and the meeting point of the Rhône and Saône rivers, with the Alps visible on a clear day.
Half a day is enough to stroll the cobbled lanes, step inside the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, or stop at a traditional Lyon bouchon before heading back. This city interlude rounds out the nature experience from the day before, without adding much to the drive home.
Local flavours worth seeking out
This nature weekend around Lyon is also a chance to taste the Ouest Lyonnais' terroir. Vaugneray, passed through on the second day's walk, is home to a handful of food shops worth a stop for a picnic or a few things to take home: aged cheeses, an artisan dairy and village bakeries. A little further on, near Montromant, a small dairy farm keeps up a traditional way of making cheese from local herds' milk.
In the evening, La Bergerie's table d'hôtes picks up where the day left off, with a family-style meal built on fresh, local ingredients — a simple way to carry the weekend's slow-travel spirit through to the dinner table.
Practical tips for your nature weekend
When to go and what to pack
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for hiking in the Monts du Lyonnais: mild temperatures, soft light and fewer people on the trails than in high summer. Winter suits anyone after total quiet, as long as you check Parc de Courzieu's shorter opening hours first.
Pack closed walking shoes, a water bottle, a rain jacket and, for the Col de la Luère hike, something to eat on the way. A light backpack, a cap and sun protection round out the basics. Mobile coverage holds up well across the route, but it's still worth telling someone your plans before you head out.
Where to stay: La Bergerie, your nature base
La Bergerie, in Pollionnay, makes an ideal base for this nature weekend around Lyon. Five room styles are on offer, from Le Jardin to the gypsy caravan with its own private hot tub, all designed for a quiet stay twenty minutes from Lyon. A home-cooked breakfast and a table d'hôtes on request round out a stay built for couples and families alike.
Find more walking and nature ideas in our blog, all built around La Bergerie.
Book your nature stay today and enjoy this itinerary in the best possible conditions — hiking, wildlife and easy living, all in one weekend.
Key takeaways
Pollionnay sits about 20 minutes from Lyon and 20–25 minutes from Parc de Courzieu.
Col de la Luère hike: around 8.5 km (5.3 miles), 3 hours, easy difficulty.
Parc de Courzieu: from €18 (adult) and €14 (child 3–12), open daily April to November.
Best season: spring and autumn for hiking, any time of year for the Lyon getaway.
Where to stay: 5 room styles plus a gypsy caravan with a private hot tub at La Bergerie, home-cooked breakfast included.
FAQ
How long should I plan for this nature weekend around Lyon? This itinerary is built for two full days, but it stretches easily into three by adding the Yzeron hiking variant or an extra morning in Lyon.
Is the Col de la Luère hike suitable for children? Yes. At around 8.5 km and three hours, it's rated easy and works well for children used to walking for a few hours. For younger children, the shorter Vaugneray–Pollionnay loop is a gentler option.
Do I need to book ahead for Parc de Courzieu? Booking isn't required, but it's worth doing on weekends and during school holidays, especially to enjoy the birds-of-prey flight in good conditions.
What's the best time of year for this nature stay? Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant hiking conditions, with mild temperatures and quieter trails. Summer suits travellers after warmer weather and long evenings.
Are pets allowed at La Bergerie? No, La Bergerie doesn't accept pets, in order to keep things comfortable for every guest.
Comments