By way of the Rhône
Natural border with the Ardèche, the Rhône river follows the Drôme from the north to the south... along the vacations road !
The Rhône acts as an ideal entrance point to the Drôme thanks to its river ports (notably those offering stopovers for cruise boats), such as Andancette, St Vallier, la Roche de Glun, Tain l’Hermitage and Valence. Valence also boasts the Epervière river port.
And the Rhône is today inseparable from ViaRhôna – an important European véloroute (cycling route) and voie verte (green route) which attaches itself to this iconic river.
Come and discover the most important towns along the Rhône:
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Tain l'Hermitage
On approaching Tain-l’Hermitage, from the left bank of the Rhône, you can make out, fully exposed to the sun, the vines growing on the steep slopes. This is the centre of the two great vineyards of ‘Côtes du Rhône Septentrionales’ : L’Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage, whose AOC wines are produced with the same grapes: Marsanne and Roussanne for white wines and Syrah for the red wines. Wine-tasting is a must with the two main producers of these outstanding wines : ‘la maison M. Chapoutier’, Delas, Cave de Tain and ‘la maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné’.The celebrated chocolate maker, Valrhona is another star of Tain-l’Hermitage. The brand new Cité du Chocolat offers us a journey of discovery into the heart of chocolate-making which appeals to all the senses.On the ‘gourmandise’ side, Romans is not to be neglected, with its ‘pogne’ and its ‘ravioles’.
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Valence
Conscious of its strategic position on the banks of the Rhône, Valence with its Port de l’Epervière (‘Pavillon Bleu d’Europe’), contains the number one river port in France. This place, boasting many services, attracts a good many strollers and Sunday joggers too. And, very recently, Valence has gained a river resort, an attractive way of arriving in this Rhône valley city!
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And more to the south
Montélimar, Pierrelatte, la Garde Adhémar