The map below shows the Cotes du Rhone villages of Tournon sur Rhone and Tain l'Hermitage, with Tain l'Hermitage on the right bank of the Rhone. The vineyards that produce the deep red Syrah-based Croze-Hermitage wine are above the river along the steep slopes capped by Chapelle Saint-Christophe à Tain-l'Hermitage, marked on the map.
Map of the Cotes du Rhone villages of Tournon sur Rhone & Tain l'Hermitage
Hermitage and the Cotes du Rhone Travel Toolbox
The location map on the right shows the location of the vineyards of Hermitage and the Cotes du Rhone within France. The northern Cotes du Rhone region is located between the towns of Vienne and Valence, between the larger cities of Lyon and Avignon, all worthy of a visit--or indeed a full vacation.
The vineyards of Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage are planted on steep slopes above the Rhone, and, with the white signs marking the vineyard blocks, are among the most dramatic vineyard views in the northern Cotes du Rhone region. If you are lucky enough to come in on the train, you will see it as one of the most awesome view of vineyards you've ever set your eyes upon.
Tain-l'Hermitage is where the local train station is, stopping at the foot of the hill entirely covered by vineyards. It's marked on the map, so it's easy to visit without a car.
Besides fine wine, the area is noted for its chocolate. Marked on the map is Cité du Chocolat, which stands next to Valrhona’s historic chocolate factory. You can even take pâtisserie classes there.
An interesting short walk that starts at Tournon sur Rhone is the Sentier des Tours, the Path of the Towers. Three towers appear on the town's crest, and you'll visit two of them (and see the third in Ruins).
And then there's the wine. It's magnificent.
Wines grown on the mound of granite known as Hermitage on the east bank of the Rhône south of Lyons have been famous for so long that they were mentioned by both Pliny and Martial – centuries before vines grew in the Médoc. By the 18th century red bordeaux would often be stiffened by a shot of Hermitage,a practice that continued until the phylloxera louse wiped out the Hermitage vineyards in the late 19th century according to John Livingstone-Learmonth in his magisterial new book The Wines of the Northern Rhône (University of California Press). Hermitage La Chapelle - the rise and fall of a great wine
Getting There
By train from Lyon you can get to the Tain-l'Hermitage station in 56 minutes. It's about the same to drive.
From Avignon the train takes an hour and 23 minutes, while driving takes an hour and a half.
For a rail itinerary through the great wine regions of France by train, see our Rail Map.
Where to Stay and Where to Eat
We loved the inexpensive restaurant at the Hôtel la Chaumière at 76, quai Farconet in Tournon sur Rhone.
A popular hotel with large rooms in Tournon sur Rhone is Hôtel de la Villeon.
In a good location in Tain-l'Hermitage you'll find Le Castel, a highly rated hotel in a very nice and convenient part of Tain.
For other places to stay, enter Tournon sur Rhone or another destination in the booking box below and choose your own hotel or apartment.
