Discover the top activities in the Rhône Valley, from wine tasting in Northern Rhône vineyards to exploring Roman ruins, hiking in the Vercors Natural Regional Park, and visiting charming villages and local markets. Enjoy outdoor adventures, festivals, and gastronomy in this rich and diverse region.
The Rhône Valley is one of France’s most diverse and culturally rich regions, offering a wide array of activities that cater to wine lovers, history enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, and those seeking a taste of authentic French life. From wine tasting and exploring Roman ruins to hiking in scenic landscapes, there’s something for every type of traveler in the Rhône Valley.
Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tours
The Rhône Valley is one of the world’s premier wine regions, divided into two main sections: Northern Rhône and Southern Rhône, each with distinct wine styles and grape varieties. Wine tasting here offers the chance to explore some of the finest vineyards in France and sample renowned wines such as Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and Gigondas.
What to Expect:
Vineyard Tours: Many vineyards, especially in regions like Hermitage and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, offer guided tours where you can learn about the winemaking process, the local terroir, and the history of the estate. Some estates also provide private tastings or food and wine pairing experiences.
Wine Routes: The Côtes du Rhône Wine Route stretches through both the northern and southern Rhône, allowing visitors to stop at family-owned wineries and larger estates. Driving or cycling this route is a scenic and enriching way to explore the region.
Top Vineyards to Visit:
Guigal (Côte-Rôtie)
M. Chapoutier (Hermitage)
Paul Jaboulet Aîné (Hermitage)
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave (Hermitage)
Cave de Tain (Crozes-Hermitage)
Château de Beaucastel (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Domaine de la Janasse (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Domaine Georges Vernay (Condrieu)
Domaine Yves Cuilleron (Condrieu)
Tips for Visiting Vineyards in the Rhône Valley
Book in Advance: Many top vineyards, especially in Hermitage and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, require reservations for tours and tastings, so it’s best to book ahead.
Seasonal Visits: The best time to visit is during spring (April to June) and fall (September to October), when the vineyards are most active and harvest season offers unique experiences.
Wine Shipping: If you’re looking to bring home bottles, many vineyards offer shipping services to send your purchases directly to your home country.
Explore Roman History and Architecture
The Rhône Valley is steeped in Roman history, making it a paradise for history enthusiasts. The region was a key part of the Roman Empire, and today, it boasts some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in France.
What to Expect:
Vienne: Just 30 kilometers south of Lyon, Vienne is home to impressive Roman monuments, including the Temple of Augustus and Livia and the Roman Theater, which is still used for concerts and events.
Saint-Romain-en-Gal: Located across the river from Vienne, this Gallo-Roman site features remains of ancient Roman villas, baths, and workshops. It's one of the most significant Roman archaeological sites in the region.
Top Roman Sites:
Temple of Augustus and Livia: A beautifully preserved Roman temple in the heart of Vienne.
Roman Theater of Vienne: One of the largest Roman theaters in France, hosting events like the Jazz à Vienne festival.
Gallo-Roman Museum of Saint-Romain-en-Gal: A must-visit for history lovers, this museum offers fascinating insights into ancient Roman life in the Rhône Valley.
Outdoor Adventures and Nature Exploration
The Rhône Valley offers a stunning landscape of mountains, rivers, and valleys, perfect for those who love outdoor activities. From hiking and cycling to kayaking, there’s no shortage of ways to explore the natural beauty of the region.
What to Expect:
Vercors Natural Regional Park: This breathtaking park is known for its limestone cliffs, gorges, and forests. Popular activities include hiking along the dramatic Combe Laval road, exploring the Gorges de la Bourne, or cycling through the park’s scenic routes. The Col de la Machine provides spectacular viewpoints over the Rhône Valley and is a popular destination for cyclists and hikers.
ViaRhôna Cycling Route: This dedicated cycling path runs along the Rhône River, offering a safe and scenic way to explore the region. The route stretches from Lyon down to Valence, passing through picturesque villages, vineyards, and natural reserves.
Kayaking and Canoeing: For water enthusiasts, sections of the Rhône River and nearby rivers like the Isère offer opportunities for kayaking and canoeing. The surrounding valleys and gorges provide a beautiful backdrop for these water-based activities.
Top Outdoor Destinations:
Vercors Natural Regional Park: Hiking, cycling, wildlife watching, and scenic drives.
ViaRhôna: A scenic cycling route along the Rhône River, perfect for all levels of cyclists.
Col de la Machine: A scenic viewpoint for hiking and cycling with panoramic views over the Rhône Valley.
Ardèche Gorges: Offers some of the most spectacular natural scenery in the Rhône Valley. The dramatic limestone cliffs rise above the Ardèche River, making this area a popular destination for canoeing, kayaking, and hiking.
Pilat Regional Natural Park: A vast area of forested hills, vineyards, and scenic plateaus. It's a great spot for hiking, mountain biking, and wine tourism.
Visit Charming Villages and Local Markets
The Rhône Valley is dotted with picturesque villages that offer an authentic glimpse into rural French life. These villages are often home to bustling markets where locals sell fresh produce, cheeses, charcuterie, and other regional specialties.
Top Villages and Markets:
Lyon’s Market at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse: One of the most famous food markets in France. This indoor market is a haven for food lovers, offering an incredible variety of gourmet products, from cheeses and charcuterie to seafood and pastries.
Tain-l'Hermitage: The market is the perfect place to combine a market visit with a wine-tasting experience. It’s a smaller, more intimate market, but it offers high-quality local produce, including Rhône Valley wines, fresh fruits, cheeses, and honey.
Vienne market: One of the largest and most vibrant markets in the Rhône Valley, stretching through the city’s historic streets and offering a wide variety of local products.
Valence market: A bustling, colorful event that showcases the best regional produce and crafts. You’ll find everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to local meats and cheeses. It’s also a great place to sample nougat, a specialty of the nearby town of Montélimar.
Romans-sur-Isère: One of the best local markets in the Rhône Valley. This market offers a range of local products, including fresh fruit and vegetables, local wines, cheeses, and pastries. It’s a great place to discover local Drôme specialties, such as caillette (a type of pâté) and ravioles (small cheese-filled pasta).
Attend Festivals and Events
The Rhône Valley hosts a range of festivals and events that celebrate its cultural, historical, and gastronomic heritage. From music festivals to wine harvest celebrations, there’s always something happening in the region.
Top Festivals and Events:
Jazz à Vienne: This world-famous jazz festival takes place every summer in the Roman Theater of Vienne. It attracts top international artists and is a must-attend for music lovers.
Les Vendanges (Harvest Festivals): During the wine harvest season (September-October), many vineyards host special events, including grape-picking, wine tastings, and feasts.
Fête des Lumières (Lyon Festival of Lights): Held every December in Lyon, this stunning light festival illuminates the city’s buildings, streets, and landmarks, creating a magical atmosphere.
Les Sarmentelles de Beaujeu (Beaujolais Nouveau Festival): This festival celebrates the release of Beaujolais Nouveau, the first wine of the season, with festivities taking place in Beaujeu, the historic capital of the Beaujolais region.
Gastronomic Experiences
The Rhône Valley is not only famous for its wines but also for its gastronomy. From Michelin-starred restaurants to cozy bistros, the region offers a wide range of culinary experiences that highlight local ingredients and traditional recipes.
What to Expect:
Dining in Lyon: The Culinary Capital of France: Lyon, often called the gastronomic capital of France, is famous for its unique culinary scene, including the iconic bouchons—traditional Lyonnaise restaurants serving hearty, local dishes. The city is known for specialties such as quenelles, saucisson, andouillette, and coq au vin, making it a paradise for food lovers. Many restaurants in Lyon are focused on farm-to-table dining, emphasizing fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Wine and Food Pairing in Châteauneuf-du-Pape: The Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine region is world-famous for its rich, full-bodied wines made from up to 13 different grape varieties. A visit here offers the opportunity to pair these legendary wines with traditional Provençal cuisine. Many vineyards, such as Château de Beaucastel and Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe, offer wine and food pairing experiences, where local specialties like caillette (a type of pâté), daube Provençale (beef stew), and artisanal cheeses are expertly matched with their wines.
Michelin-Starred Dining in the Rhône Valley: Offers an exceptional culinary experience, blending local traditions with modern techniques. Top restaurants like Maison Pic in Valence, a three-Michelin-starred establishment by chef Anne-Sophie Pic, craft exquisite dishes that highlight the local terroir, while Restaurant La Pyramide in Vienne, with two Michelin stars, showcases seasonal ingredients from the region in its gourmet menu. Both restaurants pair their creative cuisine with renowned Rhône Valley wines like Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie for an unforgettable dining experience.
Truffle Hunting and Tasting in Drôme Provençale: The Rhône Valley is a top region for truffle production, especially in Drôme Provençale, where black truffles, or "black diamonds," are a prized delicacy. Many local farms and truffle producers offer truffle-hunting experiences during the winter months, where visitors can join trained dogs to forage for these rare treasures, followed by truffle tastings and gourmet meals.
The Rhône Valley offers a diverse range of activities that cater to all types of travelers, from wine enthusiasts and history buffs to nature lovers and culture seekers. Whether you're exploring ancient Roman ruins, hiking in the stunning Vercors mountains, or indulging in world-class wines and cuisine, the Rhône Valley promises an unforgettable experience. With its rich history, scenic landscapes, and vibrant culture, the Rhône Valley is a must-visit destination for those looking to discover the best of France.
