The Rhône Corridor
The Rhône was Rome's superhighway into Gaul. Lugdunum (Lyon) was the capital of all Gaul. This adventure follows the river south through the legendary slopes of Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, and Hermitage — where Romans first terraced impossibly steep hillsides to create some of the world's greatest Syrah.
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Stops
- 1🗺️
Lyon Gallo-Roman Museum & Bouchons
Lyon (Lugdunum) was the capital of Roman Gaul. The Gallo-Roman Museum is built into the hillside overlooking two ancient theatres. Afterward, explore the bouchons — traditional Lyon wine restaurants serving the finest wine-food pairings in France.
tour $$ - 2🍷
Lyon Wine Bars - Presqu'île & Old Town
Lyon is France's most wine-obsessed city. The Presqu'île and Old Town (Vieux Lyon) are packed with wine bars serving everything from Beaujolais to Grand Crus. The tradition of "machon" (wine breakfast) lives on.
wine_bar $$ - 3🗺️
Vienne Roman Theatre & Côte-Rôtie Views
Stunning hillside theatre overlooking the Rhône. Jazz à Vienne festival fills the Roman seats each July. From here, you can see the impossibly steep slopes of Côte-Rôtie across the river — Rome's gift to Syrah.
tour $$ - 4🍷
Côte-Rôtie - The Roasted Slope
The "Roasted Slope" — terraces so steep that Romans terraced them by hand. The birthplace of great Syrah. Côte Brune and Côte Blonde produce subtly different wines. E. Guigal's "La-La-La" wines are among the world's finest.
tasting $$$ - 5🍷
Condrieu & Château-Grillet
The only place on Earth where Viognier reaches perfection. Condrieu is aromatic, rich, and bone-dry. Château-Grillet, at just 3.5 hectares, is France's smallest single-owner appellation and produces ethereal white wine.
tasting $$$ - 6⛰️
Hermitage Hill Pilgrimage
The legendary hill rising above the Rhône. Romans built a chapel on the summit. A hermit later gave the hill its name. Walk through the vineyards to the chapel for one of wine's most sacred experiences.
adventure $$ - 7🍷
Tain-l'Hermitage Tastings
The town at the foot of Hermitage hill is home to legendary producers. Visit M. Chapoutier, Paul Jaboulet Aîné, or the excellent Cave de Tain cooperative. The Valrhona chocolate factory is a sweet bonus.
tasting $$$ - 8🍷
Crozes-Hermitage Exploration
The largest Northern Rhône appellation, surrounding Hermitage hill. Less prestigious but far more affordable. The best producers make wines that approach Hermitage quality at a fraction of the price.
tasting $$ - 9⛰️
Valence & Southern Push
Gateway city between Northern and Southern Rhône. Roman Valentia was an important stop on the Via Agrippa. Explore Cornas and Saint-Joseph wines on the push south toward Avignon.
adventure $$ - 10🗺️
Avignon - Palace of the Popes
When Pope Clement VI threw his coronation party in 1342, he built wine fountains in the streets of Avignon. They ran for four weeks. Guests inside the palace drank 160,000 litres — and Clement was just getting started. He spent the next decade turning this fortress into the largest Gothic palace on earth, mostly because he needed a cellar worthy of his appetite. Seven popes lived here over 67 years, and their thirst created an entire appellation: Châteauneuf-du-Pape exists because the papacy needed something world-class within carting distance.
tour $$