Welcome to Vienne Condrieu, where breathtaking vineyard slopes meet ancient remains! To discover Vienne Condrieu is to taste a thousand flavors, vibrate to the rhythm of events throughout the year, marvel at the grandiose panoramas on either side of the Rhône, and travel through the ages, from Antiquity to the Middle Ages to the industrial era.
The thirty communes that make up the Vienne Condrieu landscape offer travelers an astonishing natural wealth and cultural diversity, thanks to historical, artistic and oeno-gastronomic nuggets.
Ideally located just twenty minutes from Lyon - and halfway between a hectic urban pace and the peaceful languor of summer days in the countryside - the destination is easily accessible by bike, train or car.
1. 2,500 years of history... and not a single wrinkle!
Awarded the "Ville d'art et d'histoire" (City of Art and History) label in 1990, the city of Vienne is a veritable open-air cabinet of curiosities, with over 40 historic monuments, including one of only two Gallo-Roman temples still standing in France, an archaeological garden, a vast ancient theater and the cathedral that saw the abolition of the Templar order.
Here, the past rubs shoulders with the present, and the stones that surround us, immutable witnesses of time, come alive every year to the rhythm of events. To complete this journey through time, five museums - including one of France's most important Gallo-Roman sites - offer themed tours and events all year round.
A few kilometers away, the medieval castle of Septème is another must-see attraction. It also offers activities for young and old during the school vacations.
2. Nose to the wind along the Rhône
On the left bank, wooded hills alternate with lush green valleys, forming the gentle landscape of the Balmes viennoises. On the right bank, the foothills of the Pilat massif offer a stark contrast. Beyond the vineyards, you enter the Regional Nature Park with its meadows, forests, ridges and picturesque villages. In this natural setting, kilometers of hiking trails for all levels await you.
Between the two banks flows the Rhône, a majestic river in whose furrow the "lônes" are home to wild paradises such as the Île du Beurre, a preserved natural area where, if you're lucky, you'll be able to observe herons and beavers! Here, it's a pleasure to follow the ViaRhôna, the greenway linking Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean. It's an opportunity for cyclists from all horizons to discover the riches of the banks of the Rhône before heading off to Wam Park, a leisure park offering a wide range of activities, including swimming, waterkarting, paddleboarding and water ski cableways.
Gyropods or little trains in the vineyards, "Wine and Ride" themed excursions, hikes, family geocaching thanks to the "Les Gnolus" application: there are a thousand and one ways to venture out and discover the area all year round!
3. Vineyards, vertiginous vineyards..
The reputation of Vienne Condrieu wines extends far beyond the region's borders, and has done so since the time of the Allobroges. Stretching along the right bank of the Rhône, the terraced hillsides - or "chaillets" - structured by low dry-stone walls, which form the distinctive landscape of this destination, have given rise to two prestigious appellations, considered to be among the finest of the Côtes-du-Rhône: Condrieu and Côte-Rôtie.
These are the two northernmost appellations in the Côtes-du-Rhône. Côte-Rôtie reds are made mainly from syrah, while Condrieu whites are made entirely from viognier. The other bank of the river is not to be outdone: already cultivated in Gallo-Roman times and renowned for their excellence, the hillsides above Vienne, Seyssuel and Chasse-sur-Rhône have given birth to Vitis Vienna wines, the fruit of the hard work of a group of winegrowers determined to breathe new life into an ancient vineyard.
Today, thanks to the Vignobles & Découvertes label awarded to all areas committed to wine tourism, discovering its secrets is within everyone's reach! All you have to do is push open the door of one of our label-winning estates, and you're off on an exhilarating journey..
4. 100% Locavore
There's no doubt about it: in Vienne Condrieu, you're sure to eat well! This is thanks to a wide choice of gourmet addresses among more than one hundred and twenty restaurants, two of which are Michelin-starred: La Pyramide, the cradle of modern gastronomy thanks to Fernand Point, now masterfully run by Patrick Henriroux**, and the Domaine de Clairefontaine, where Philippe Girardon* officiates in a green setting, a source of inspiration for his cuisine.
But that's not the only reason why the Vienne Condrieu region is now an essential stop-off point in the Vallée de la gastronomie®: AOP Rigotte de Condrieu (a small, flowery goat's milk cheese), products made by Philippe Bruneton, France's best jam-maker, the Colombier distillery (authentic Williams pear brandy), chocolate treasures made by the Panel sisters or Mr. Coco, or the Aventis house. Local artisans and shopkeepers are eager to share their expertise and delight gourmets!
Boasting a huge permanent market (one of the largest in France), which unfolds across the city every Saturday, Vienne is renowned as the cradle of modern gastronomy, thanks to the work of Fernand Point (3 stars in the Michelin Guide), who trained Paul Bocuse.
5. Land of jazz and fire
You can hear it echoing throughout the city, making hearts and bodies vibrate between the ancient remains... Jazz doesn't just come to life in the first fortnight of July during the fabulous Jazz à Vienne festival, but all year round, through a constellation of events that echo it.
When it's finally time, the festival sweeps everything in its path; the city is transformed, and residents and visitors (some 200,000 every year) are in jubilation. You can then admire the incredible spectacle of the sun setting over the ancient theater to the sound of the greatest artists (Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Norah Jones... to name but a few), or take advantage of the many emotional moments throughout the town and its many events.
And since Vienne Condrieu is a festive town, there's something for every season! A comedy festival and "Vendanges graphiques " in spring, the biennial "Journées gallo-romaines " in June, "Rendez-Wine" in the vineyards all summer long, then "Vinalia" in September, "Fête historique" also in September, "Automne dans les vignobles" throughout the season, the " Sang d'encre" thriller festival in November... all year round, enjoy the rhythm of a vast cultural, musical and artistic program!
