Visit the stunning Chateau de Cruix in the Beaujolais Wine Region

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I have to say, chateaus aren’t something I had a lot of time thinking about until I met my friend in about 2016, and I learnt she had a love and wonder of French chateaus. So even though after that I heard a lot about these beautiful buildings from times gone by, I didn’t really think I’d make it one any time soon. Until I booked a Contiki and we ended up spending two nights in the stunning Chateau de Cruix.

And it really was stunning.

When I was on the European Adventurer Contiki, we journeyed from London to Paris, popped over to Switzerland for a few nights (as one does when one is on Contiki I guess), and then arrived in the Beaujolais Wine Region to stay two nights at Chateau de Cruix.

What is the Chateau de Cruix?

Chateau de Cruix is a 17th century chateau in the Beaujolais Wine Region, France, and Contiki has owned it since 1977. All throughout the year there are Contiki groups arriving on the steps of de Cruix as part of their journeys around Europe, to stay a few nights and soak up the French countryside.

There are 25 bedrooms with bunks, so it can house a lot of people at one time. There are also numerous bathrooms, and beautiful dining areas overlooking the patio which in turn overlooks the lawn, pool and then out over grape vines on rolling hills. It’s in the wine region, after all. Picturesque to say the absolute least.

Oh, and there’s a secret club and bar in the basement. What more could you want?

What is there to do at the Contiki chateau?

We visited Chateau de Cruix on days five and six of of our 37 day trip of Europe, so it was a great way to start the trip. While I spent most of the day relaxing out on the patio or by the pool, there was plenty to do.

The chateau has a big lawn, perfect for picnicking, lounging in beanbags, or playing lawn games. There’s also a large pool overlooking the vineyards, with pool loungers lining the edges.

Inside the chateau, there’s a piano, a pool table, places to hang out, and the aforementioned club in the basement.

While you’re visiting the chateau, if you’re on Contiki, you’ll have a few activities going on, too, which are all optional. We did a ‘wine tasting‘ at the cellar door just behind the chateau, and I say ‘wine tasting’ in inverted commas because we only got to try one type … so it didn’t really feel like a proper wine tasting.

There was also the opportunity to go on a bit of a walk around the countryside and visit the small town. One of the days we were there, there was an included lunch, which was a picnic on the lawn with bread, cheese, chips, fruit and whatever wine we bought at the wine tasting.

Breakfast and dinner were also included as part of our Contiki trip, and they were excellent. The food they provided for dinner was superb. Speaking of food, there was also a rolled icecream stand on the lawn, and a mini bar in a small truck, so you didn’t have to go far during the day to grab yourself a drink.

You can read more about the included Contiki activities here in my review of the European Adventurer.

Where is the Chateau de Cruix?

The Chateau de Cruix is located in the stunning Beaujolais Wine Region of France. It’s just under an hour from the city of Lyon, and if you’re on a Contiki, then your coach will drive you straight to the door.

Emily in Paris … at Chateau de Cruix

There were also scenes from Emily in Paris filmed at the Chateau de Cruix. While I haven’t actually seen Emily in Paris (don’t come for me), I believe it’s in Season 1 Epiosde 8 where Emily is at a beautiful chateau in France … well, it’s here. And if you’re a fan then you probably know the episode I’m talking about.

Contiki trips that go to the Chateau de Cruix

There are a number of Contiki trips that go through this wine region in France and stay at Chateau de Cruix. Here are some of them:

Overall thoughts

I really enjoyed our few days at the chateau. We were still getting to know each other at this stage, so it was a nice break from the coach, a time to chat and hang out, dance the night away (okay, not me, but the others), and generally have a lovely time in the French countryside. If you’re thinking of booking a Contiki and it stops in at the chateau, you’re definitely in for a treat.

So what do you think? Would you stay at this French chateau?