Les Sarmentelles de Beaujeu is one of the wine festivals that anchors the Beaujolais calendar, drawing both local visitors and international wine travellers each year. It is held at Place de l'Hôtel de Ville & Promenade des Sarmentelles in 69430 Beaujeu, in the heart of one of France's most distinctive wine areas. The 2026 event marks the 38th edition of the festival, reflecting its consistent place in the regional calendar.
Historic birthplace of the worldwide Beaujolais Nouveau celebration. 5 days of tastings of all 12 Beaujolais appellations, parades, concerts, gastronomic dinners. Midnight 'Mise en perce' ceremony with fireworks on Beaujolais Nouveau Day. 300 volunteers, televised internationally. New-vintage releases are one of the cornerstones of the French wine year, marking the moment when the previous harvest comes formally to market. The release weekend typically combines public tastings of the new wine with vertical tastings of older vintages, producer-led masterclasses, and food pairings that show how the new wines drink alongside regional cooking. Visitors can expect cellar visits, open-doors at participating producers, and a strong programme of public events. The event is organised by Association Les Sarmentelles + Compagnons du Beaujolais, which sets the tone and direction of the programme each year.
Beaujolais sits between Burgundy and Lyon, producing Gamay-based reds across ten Crus — Brouilly, Cote de Brouilly, Chenas, Chiroubles, Fleurie, Julienas, Morgon, Moulin-a-Vent, Regnie and Saint-Amour — plus Beaujolais-Villages and the regional Beaujolais appellation. Beaujolais Nouveau is released worldwide on the third Thursday of November, but the region has built a strong critical reputation over the last two decades for serious, terroir-driven Cru wines that age well. Granite soils dominate the northern crus, while the southern part of the appellation moves toward limestone and clay. Beaujolais Days has become an important regional umbrella programme each November.
The 2026 edition is scheduled for 18-22 November 2026 (5 days around the 3rd Thursday of November - Beaujolais Nouveau Day, 19 Nov 2026). Cost details are best confirmed directly with the organiser ahead of travel. Full programme, ticketing and updated information are published on the official site at sarmentelles.fr. Visitors are advised to check directly with the organiser for the latest schedule, as French festival programmes are sometimes updated close to the event date.
Beaujolais is best reached from Lyon, with Villefranche-sur-Saone as the gateway to the cru villages further north. A festival visit pairs naturally with a circuit of the ten cru villages, the Hameau Duboeuf wine theme park in Romaneche-Thorins, and a meal at one of the Lyonnais bouchons. Beaujolais Nouveau season in November is the highest-profile period, but May to October offer better vineyard walking conditions and the chance to meet producers in the cru villages without the crowd.
