Our Destination
Welcome to the Northern Rhône Valley: here, the landscapes reach new heights. So do the wines.
Between Vienne and Valence, the River Rhône winds its way through the heart of a region where vines do more than simply grow: they shape the landscapes, the villages and the stories.
Here, the hillsides rise, terraces defy the slopes and the vines cling to the ancient soils of the Massif Central. A spectacular setting, sculpted by centuries of expertise and by men and women who know their terroir like the back of their hands.
The Northern Rhône Valley is a destination where wine is far more than just craftsmanship: it is a culture, a living heritage and an invitation to take your time.
With its seven iconic appellations — Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, Cornas and Saint-Péray — it offers a unique experience combining fine wines, nature, fine dining and new encounters.
A new destination, the same spirit of sharing
Bringing together different regions to better tell their story.
The Northern Rhône Valley is now writing a new chapter.
Born from the merger of three destinations previously awarded the ‘Vignobles & Découvertes’ label — Condrieu Côte-Rôtie, D’Hermitage en Saint-Joseph and De Cornas en Saint-Péray — it now forms a single destination, driven by a shared ambition: to showcase the richness of its terroirs and offer high-quality experiences.
This union gives the region a new resonance.
For here, the discovery of wine never ends at the rim of the glass. It continues along the walking trails, in the charming villages, around a gourmet table or during an encounter with those who bring the vineyards to life day in, day out.
Malleval – photo credit: Carnets de rando
Facteur Cheval’s Ideal Palace – photo credit: B Balay
Hermitage Hill
Cruise on the Rhône: Tournon-sur-Rhône
A vineyard with varied terrain… and character
Where the vines shape the landscape’s history.
Since ancient times, vines have been an integral part of the history of the Northern Rhône Valley. Spanning over 4,000 hectares, they shape a unique landscape between the river and the hillsides, where each plot tells a different story. In Côte-Rôtie, the vines seem to defy the slope, supported by impressive dry-stone walls. In Cornas, they thrive on sun-drenched hillsides. Everywhere, the same interplay unfolds between nature, human labour and the passage of time. The Rhône is the common thread running through this great wine-growing journey. It links places where heritage and landscapes complement one another:
- Vienne, with its ancient theatre and Gallo-Roman ruins, bearing witness to a history stretching back two millennia;
- Malleval, a medieval village perched on a rocky outcrop, with its ancient stones and panoramic views over the vineyards;
- Serrières, a village of boatmen nestled on the banks of the Rhône, where the river’s history unfolds as it flows by;
- Annonay, the cradle of ballooning and a charming town nestled between valleys and hills;
- Hauterives, famous for Facteur Cheval’s ‘Palais Idéal’, an incredible work of art brut built stone by stone;
- Tournon-sur-Rhône, dominated by its château which watches over the river and the hillsides;
- Tain-l’Hermitage, the very heart of the great wines of the Northern Rhône Valley;
- Crussol Castle, which overlooks the final vineyard-covered slopes between the valley and the mountains.
Here, every detour is well worth a stop.
Seven appellations, seven distinct characters
Big names, each with its own character. The Northern Rhône Valley brings together seven prestigious appellations: Côte-Rôtie; Condrieu; Saint-Joseph; Hermitage; Crozes-Hermitage; Cornas; Saint-Péray. Seven regions, seven expressions of the terroir, seven ways of telling the Rhône’s story. And the story continues to unfold with the Vienne-Seyssuel vineyard, which is currently in the process of obtaining AOP status. A vineyard on the move, driven by a new generation of committed winegrowers.
The Rhône: four major grape varieties
A diverse line-up… yet one that remains true to its roots. The Northern Rhône Valley draws on four iconic grape varieties that express the full richness of its terroirs.
- Syrah produces powerful yet elegant reds, which have become a true hallmark of the region.
- Viognier brings its floral notes and great aromatic finesse.
- Marsanne and Roussanne work in tandem to create refined and complex whites.
These grape varieties are now grown all over the world. But, like the greatest stories, it is here that they reveal their true character.
The genetic heritage of these grape varieties stems from our terroirs, and although they are now planted across the globe, they fully express their identity on the soils and terroirs from which they originate.
Here, wine is as much a way of life as it is a pleasure to savour
A way of life to be shared
At the heart of the Valley of Gastronomy, the Northern Rhône Valley invites you to discover a way of life centred on conviviality, fine dining and simple pleasures.
- A wine tasting at a vineyard.
- A stroll through the vineyards.
- A wine-tasting cruise on the Rhône.
- A festival as the day draws to a close.
- Brunch with a view of the hillsides.
- A glass shared with a passionate winemaker.
Here, every season offers a new way to discover the region.
The Northern Rhône Valley: a destination to savour
With its fine wines, spectacular scenery and heritage stretching back millennia, the Northern Rhône Valley is a destination where every moment is a delight.
Here, a glass of wine tells a story.
An encounter becomes a memory.
A landscape makes you want to slow down.
Whether you’re a lover of fine wines, a nature enthusiast, curious about heritage or simply seeking authentic experiences, this destination welcomes you with open arms.
Accessible, generous and vibrant, it reveals itself through the changing seasons, to the rhythm of wine tastings, walks and encounters.
Here, time is savoured in a different way, and all great wines lead to the Rhône.
