Villefranche-sur Saone is a commune in the east of France, in the Rhône department. The town lies about a mile west of the River Saone and is about 16 miles north of Lyon  The idyllic town was founded in 1212 by Guichard IV, count of Beaujeu. In the 14th century, Villefranche-sur-Saone became the capital of the province of Beaujolais, superseding the commune of Beaujeu as the commercial capital of the region.

Up until the 1400s the Beaujeu area had its own set of rulers, the last being Edouard II. Once Edouard died the barony was passed on to his uncle Louis II, Duke of Bourbon. The Bourbon family then used it as a title, as did the House of Orleans subsequently. In 1522 the title was confiscated by Francis I of France and given to his mother Louise of Savoy, but upon her death in 1531 it reverted to the French crown.

A two-day break
Less than a 10 minute walk from the Kyriad Hotel Villefranche-sur-Saone is the Musee Paul-Dini, the municipal museum of Villefranche-sur-Saone. The museum provides a pictorial history of the Rhône department, spanning more than 100 years. An hour and a half's drive from the Kyriad Hotel Villefranche-sur-Saone is the village of Bois d'Oingt, which is full of scenic views and small craft shops and galleries.

A week-long stay
With seven days in the Rhone-Alpes Region why not take the half-hour drive from the Kyriad Hotel Villefranche-sur-Saone to the city of Lyon. The city boasts a Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilization, full of artwork and weaponry artefacts from the area. Or, if you’re looking for a different way of seeing the city why not try the Lyon Segway Tour?

A family holiday
A 40-minute drive from the Kyriad Hotel Villefranche-sur-Saone is the Parc des Oiseaux, a beautiful nature reserve. Spend a day with your family enjoying the natural surroundings and bird spotting. Villefranche-sur-Saone also has a Laser Game Evolution centre which will keep kids entertained for hours. Take a trip to Lyon and visit the I-Way, where you can take a whole range of cars on simulated test drives.

Transports
The town is best reached by the Autoroute du Sud, which is the main road from Paris to the south of France. The road runs alongside the Saone River. The nearest airport to the town is Lyon Airport. You can easily get around Villefranche-sur-Saone on foot but for venturing further afield you’ll be best renting a car.

Gastronomy
Villefranche-sur-Saone, Lyon and the surrounding area are famed for its high quality, simple food. Saucisson sec, dried sausage, is a speciality of the region, as are andouillettes, which are sausages made from tripe and are considered a delicacy. There is also a great range of wine and cheese to accompany any meal.

Events
On the third Thursday of November, every year, Lyon and its surrounding towns celebrate the Beaujolais Nouveau Festival. Beaujolais Nouveau is a wine that is drunk quickly once the cask has been opened to savour the fruit flavours it is made with. The start of December also sees Lyon hold the Light Festival, which involves pyrotechnics and illuminations.

Interesting fact
The Rhône-Alpes region has been inhabited since pre-historic times, but the first settlers in the area were the Celts. Most of the area became part of the Romans’ territories following Julius Caesar’s invasion of Gaul and Lyon itself, now the capital of the region and the second largest city in France, became a major Roman city.

Useful links
Villefranche-sur-Saone Tourist Info - http://www.france-voyage.com/towns/villefranche-sur-saone-27531/office-t...
Lyon Tourism Office - http://www.en.lyon-france.com/