Discover
Things to do in Tain-l'Hermitage, between Drôme and Ardèche
Tain-l'Hermitage, in the Drôme, faces Tournon-sur-Rhône, in the Ardèche. Two banks, a footbridge between them, and one of France's most famous vineyards on the hill. Here is what we recommend to our guests.
Our guides
Five ways to discover the valley
The Hermitage vineyard
The hill, the chapel, and the Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph and Cornas appellations explained simply.
Cellars and tastings
Chapoutier, Jaboulet, Ferraton and the Cave de Tain on foot; Domaine Mucyn and the Crozes-Hermitage growers all around.
The ViaRhôna by bike
Stages, bike hire, and the finest stretches around Tain.
Valrhona's Cité du Chocolat
The discovery tour of Tain's chocolate maker, ten minutes' walk from the house.
Tournon-sur-Rhône
The castle, the Train de l'Ardèche, the Doux gorges, the Marc Seguin footbridge.
Itinerary
48 hours in Tain-l'Hermitage
Saturday morning: the market and the hill
Tain's market is held on Saturday morning around Place du Taurobole. Then walk up to the Hermitage chapel along the vineyard path: an hour there and back, with a view over the whole valley.
Saturday afternoon: the cellars
A tasting at one of Tain's wine houses, all a few minutes' walk away. Then Valrhona's Cité du Chocolat.
Saturday evening: the terrace
Drinks on the terrace facing the river, with a bottle bought that afternoon. Dinner in Tain or in Tournon, across the footbridge.
Sunday: the Ardèche
Cross the Marc Seguin footbridge, visit Tournon's castle museum, then the Train de l'Ardèche into the Doux gorges, or a stage of the ViaRhôna to Valence.
By season
Every season has its own Rhône
Spring. Poppies between the vine stakes, the ViaRhôna reopening, the first terraces. The best time to walk through the vines.
Summer. Swimming and canoeing on the Rhône, evening markets, cellars open late. The house is air-conditioned, the terrace shaded by the plane trees.
Autumn. The harvest on the hill, the slopes turning red, morning mist on the river. The wine lover's season.
Winter. Tain retreats to its cellars and its chocolate. Weekends are quiet, prices gentler, the light low on the Rhône.
Book
A base for all of this
The house is at the centre of everything described here, on foot. Choose your dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tain-l'Hermitage in the Drôme or the Ardèche?
Tain-l'Hermitage is in the Drôme, on the left bank of the Rhône. Tournon-sur-Rhône, directly opposite, is in the Ardèche. The two towns are linked by the Marc Seguin footbridge, for pedestrians and cyclists.
How long does it take to walk up to the Hermitage chapel?
Allow an hour there and back from the centre of Tain, on the path through the vines. The climb is short but steep. The view takes in the Rhône, Tournon and, on a clear day, the Vercors.
Can we visit the cellars without booking?
The shops and tasting rooms of Tain's main houses are open to the public during the day. For a guided visit or a commented tasting it is better to book, especially at weekends and in summer.
What is there to do with children in Tain-l'Hermitage?
Valrhona's Cité du Chocolat, the Train de l'Ardèche in Tournon, a bike ride on the ViaRhôna, Tain's aquatic centre, and the quays to watch the boats go by.