Macon, Pouilly Fuisse, Fleurie …… names I’d only ever seen on the front of a wine bottle before.

Now here I was soaking up the atmosphere of the Beaujolais – as well as the wine – surrounded by vineyards and pretty little villages bearing those exact names!

At the heart of the Beaujolais I stumbled – not under the influence of alcohol, but with the help of friends – across Europe’s first theme park devoted entirely to wine.

Le Parc du Hameau Duboeuf sits in the tiny village of Romaneche -Thorins, at the heart of the Beaujolais region.

Georges Duboeuf is probably the most prolific producer of Beaujolais Nouveau, with his ‘cave’, now run by son Franck, turning out some 30 million bottles of the stuff each year.

With much of it being exported to Japan, Germany and the USA, that keeps an awful lot of people around the world very happy!

Thirty years ago, Georges, who sadly passed away in 2020, wanted to share his passion for wine by coming up with a ‘wine park’ – a theme park, but with wine. Lots of wine.

Expanded and extended year upon year, the Parc Hameau Duboeuf now welcomes 100,000 visitors every year, who get to take a behind-the-scenes look at the world of wine and the vines.

The museum contains more than 3,000 wine-related objects, covering 2000 years of history. Rough-hewn tools sit alongside the enormous early wooden wine presses and fact-packed glass cases of Macon memorabilia.

Georges didn’t only focus on the adult trade when devising his ‘parc’ however and has incorporated interactive games, holograms and videos; a blend almost as smooth as the wines themselves.

In summer, there are the added attractions of a mini road train, mini golf and an aromatic Beaujolais garden. Even the 10 holes on the golf course are named after the “crus” of the Beaujolais.

Don’t expect too much of an adrenalin rush however. Here, the scariest ride you are likely to encounter is the ‘flight’ above the vineyards of the region or a tour around the extensive gardens on the mini train.

Do these before you hit the bar, though, or you could find the ‘flight’ over the undulating plains and vine-clad hillsides on the back of a 3D bee a tad nauseous.

The newest addition – the former railway station used to transport the Duboeuf wines to Paris – opened earlier this year, houses a magnificent old railway carriage and clever audio-visual show.

The parc’s on-site restaurant provides a timely break from the 20-odd exhibition rooms and a leisurely lunch in the courtyard or rail-inspired conservatory will sets you up for the rest of the day. The fixed price menu at €30 is good value and, of course, you get the chance to accompany it with a nice glass of Duboeuf wine!

Oh – and did I mention the wine tasting?  That’s included in the €20 entry price too.

Beaujolais has been dubbed ‘the wine of love and happiness’ or ‘the drink of joy and wisdom.’ 

I certainly came away full of joy and happiness – and maybe with a bit more wisdom than I went in with – plus a few bottles from the shop to enjoy back at home.

L’Hameau Duboeuf is 45 minutes from Lyon and easily accessible by rail or road, sitting just a few kilometres from the A6 which runs north-south through France.

Most low-cost airlines fly to Lyon with prices starting from £26.

The Parc is open from March to December, Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm – although the garden, train and mini-golf close at the end of September.

The shop is open daily throughout the year, with the exception of Christmas Day.

Adult day tickets are €20. Children under 7 go free, those above are half price.