France Experts Please Comment
 

Everyone was such a help with our Dordogne trip this summer so I'm back!
We have 3 nights to get from Cannes to Lyon (rental car) and would like to do some wine tasting and good eating en route. Also of course we like to see charming villages, interesting cities etc.
This is our plan so far:
Leave Cannes late afternoon stop at Cliouscat for night and dinner at la Treille Muscate.
Drive on to Valence stopping in Saint-peray for wine tasting and spend the night at either Pic or Michel Chabran (suggestions?).
Drive to Lyon via Condrieu, Ampuis and Vienne and stay the night at Tour Rose. Leave next day early for airport.
Does this look ok? Are we missing any vital beauty spots along the way?
Thanks!

Definitely stay at Pic if you get the chance. We spent two nights there and I really enjoyed it. Sophie Pic was just awarded her their star! On the same visit, we also dined at Michel Chabran, although I didn't see the rooms there. If I was picking one over the other, I'd choose Pic. It is located in town, which was initially disappointing to me, but the room face inward over a lovely courtyard and the rooms are nicely appointed. Reserve dinner when you book the room!!

On the way fom Valence to Condrieu, stop in Tain l'Hermitage. You can write ahead to Chapoutier for a tasting, since although the store is open and you can pop in for a tasting, it's better if you have an appt. There's also a chocolate factory there that we missed, but I would have loved to visit. There are interesting ruins nearby with sweeping views of the Rhone Valley. Just beautiful.

Have a great time!

Thanks, that's really useful. I've bookmarked the Chapoutier web site.
Why were you disappointed that Maison Pic is in town. Is valence not so nice?
In fact I have just realized that we have an extra night! Would it be worth staying in Vienne? Or does anyone know any other charming restaurants/hotels en route? We don't mind changing hotels every night. Thanks!

We have stayed at La Treille Muscate twice and have enjoyed it. The accommodations are fine, nothing fancy, and the restaurant well above average. It is a charming stop for the night.

Make sure you leave yourself a bit of time on arrival in Lyon to explore the old town and the presqu'île. And enjoy the Tour Rose (that's where my husband asked me to marry him!!) :)

Chapoutier is both a vintner and a wine merchant, and a good one. So you have excellent advice above. I love the braille on his labels. Only in France! Do e-emil to let them know you're coming. It may be necessary and it certainly will gain you a better reception.

With your extra day, it may be worth researching Avignon. It has a papal palace, and of course the CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE for winetasting. You could maybe squeeze a trip into see Pont du Gard from Avignon, too.

Local photos :
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/ph...hoto-index.htm



Peter

Thanks all of you for great advice. I think you're right Hanl, Lyon needs a bit more time. I think we'll leave Cannes a day early and go to Cliouscat via Chateauneuf du Pape (we visited the Camargue a few years ago but didn't stop here)and find somewhere to stay the extra night around Condrieu so we can get to Lyons early.

I think you're right Hanl, Lyon needs a bit more time. I think we'll leave Cannes a day early and go to Cliouscat via Chateauneuf du Pape as pprh suggests. (We visited the Camargue a few years ago but didn't stop here)Then we'll find somewhere to stay the extra night around Condrieu so we can get to Lyons earlier. Thanks all of you for great advice!

Ooop..sorry!

Carrom:

I was in Provence in late September and spent 3 nights west of the Rhone river i.e Languedoc, in the village of Tavel, famous for its' Rose. I stayed at a delightful inn called LE PONT DU ROY. A father/son team: Dad manages, son cooks. Chef went to market daily in Avignon (only 10 miles away) to pick up the best ingredients for dinner that evening.

As far as wine tasting goes, Tavel and Lirac are villages just outside Avignon, rarely visited, but worth the trip. There are several merchants/vinters who offer tastings of reds, roses and whites. Lirac is an interesting white wine which uses the Roussane and Viogner grapes.

Of course, you can always spent time in Avignon or Arles which has fine restaurants and plenty to see and do.

I am heading back to France May 16 on Air France via the soon to be inaugural 7:45 AM flight from JFK. I liked the region so much so that I may go back for 2 days just for the rose..