What to See and Do in the Rhône Valley
Wine is the main attraction here, but there is much more to enjoy besides
Related articles: Road Trip through the Rhône Valley
12 Villages to Visit in the Rhône Valley
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
The ViaRhôna is a 500-mile dedicated cycling route from Geneva that passes through the Côtes du Rhône vineyards on its way to the sea.
The Pont d’Arc is the place to go for canoeing, kayaking, swimming, biking, climbing and hiking.
HERITAGE
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an absolute must-see in the Ardèche. As well as tours through the cave, there’s an interactive museum and an ancient campsite where you can see how prehistoric people lived.
Lyon’s newest museum, set at the confluence of the Saône and Rhône rivers, explores what it means to be human, and our interactions with the animal kingdom and our planet.
Lugdunum: Musée et Théâtres Romains
On the slopes of Fourvière hill, where the Roman city of Lugdunum was founded in 43 BC, this is a symbiosis of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a museum of exceptional architecture and collections.
Discover the ancient history of Lyon on the site of the Roman city.
Set in a 17th-century mansion, this museum traces the history of Lyon as the capital of the silk trade from the Renaissance to the 19th century.
A museum of 15th-century to present day art, and archaeology from prehistory to Roman times, it includes Roman mosaics excavated nearby.
WINE & FOOD
This small company specialises in personally-guided bespoke holidays in Provence for intimate groups of 2-6 people. You will be Karen’s guests in beautiful accommodation in the historic heart of picturesque Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
Discover and explore the vineyards and cellars of the northern Rhône Valley. Whether you are an oenophile or a neophyte, Terres de Syrah has an itinerary for you among the crus of the Drôme and the Ardèche.
Tain-l’Hermitage:
Cave de Tain offers wine tastings and outdoor experiences including cycling and Segway parallel scooter rides through the vineyards.
Chapoutier is a great place to learn about important Rhône vintages from both sides of the river and offers full- or half-day tours of the vineyards on electric bikes.
Interactive exhibits guide you through all the magic of chocolate, with plenty of free samples as a learning aid. The café uses chocolate in all its dishes, and you can participate in a series of chocolate-making workshops.
If you haven’t tasted this Montélimar speciality, this is the place to do so. A tour through the museum (and past the kitchens) is informative.
Essential oils, skincare, perfumes, soaps, and more at Distillerie Bleu Provence
Watch the lavender distillation process, visit a small museum, try a lavender-laced lemonade or local snack at the café, then shop till you drop at the marvellous boutique.
Caveau des Vignerons de Grignan-les-Adhémar
This is the place to come to taste a variety of local wines: AOC Grignan- les-Adhémar, Cru Vinsobres and Coteaux des Baronnies, and the sparkling blanc de blancs Clairette and Crémant de Die.
This is an elegant space to try the legendary Beaumes-de-Venise, which is made exclusively from the Muscat grape, as well as the lesser-known but equally worthy reds, whites and rosés. You can also sample other local delights – olive oil, fruit juices, etc. Wines can be shipped worldwide.
Set in the village’s charming square, here you can sample 100 of the great cuvées of this great appellation side by side to discover what all the fuss is about. More than 75 winemakers are represented here.
The Caveau du Gigondas is conveniently located in the village’s main square
High in the village, in a medieval building with spectacular panoramic views, the Atelier Sensoriel at the Hospices de Gigondas provides an excellent opportunity to learn about wine by using all your senses.
In Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vinadea is the place to taste and buy a huge range of excellent wines from conventional or organic and biodynamic vintners. And while tasting wine is great, there’s nothing like going on a tour of a wine cellar where it all happens. At Domaine Pierre Usseglio you can ask all your questions and sample these highly regarded reds and whites.
This small but fascinating Musée du Vin gives you a concise yet comprehensive understanding of the wines of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation and the Rhône Valley in general. Tastings are offered after the visit.
Another not-to-miss experience that you won’t find elsewhere is wine-tasting in a cave. Claustrophobes needn’t worry as the caves are wide open and well lit. But if that’s not your thing, you won’t miss out, as tastings at this scenic vineyard are wonderful too.
Les Routes des Vins
If you want to create your own itinerary for the Rhône wine region, the Vins Rhônes website is a great resource. Click on Visiter > Les Routes des Vins for a presentation of the
14 routes, which you can pick up and leave as you like. Information on accommodation is also provided.
From France Today magazine
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