The Rhone Valley and Lyon are brilliant travel destinations for any wine enthusiast, nature or culture lover. The area boasts fascinating historical buildings and museums, river cruises, and beautiful gardens.
The Ardèche National Park can also be found in this region. Known for its spectacular gorges, rugged character, and winding roads, it is just a short drive from the Rhone Valley. The most iconic image of Ardèche is the Pont d’Arc, a stunning natural 60-meter wide archway over the Ardèche River. The area is popular for sunbathing, swimming, and kayaking and has a gorgeous sandy beach. We have already reviewed the best luxury hotels in Ardeche if you are in the area. If you prefer the beach, you may prefer to investigate the best beach hotels in France or the best hotels in Monaco.
There are also a number of very beautiful château in the region, and Mont Gerbier de Jonc, a volcanic mountain with three springs at its base, one of which is the source of the Loire river.
The Rhone Valley is also just 50 minutes south of Lyon, France’s second city, which is well worth a visit for its architecture and culture and is a real gourmet’s delight with almost 2,000 restaurants to choose from and no fewer than 22 Michelin stars.
Flying to Lyon is the best way of reaching this area, with EasyJet offering direct flights from Gatwick and British Airways from Heathrow, and then rent a car.
Alternatively, drive down towards the South of France in your own car. We have picked the 10 best luxury hotels in the region that are worth traveling to, and that will help you enjoy this beautiful region.
1. Hotel de la Villeon, Tournon-sur-Rhone
Hotel de la Villeon, Tournon-sur-Rhone is one of the best luxury hotels in the Rhone Valley and is tucked away in a quiet side street, in the picturesque town of Tournon-sur-Rhone. It is ideally situated for exploring both the beautiful countryside and world-famous vineyards of the Rhone Valley.
The hotel boasts 2,000 m2 of beautiful gardens, which are well worth exploring. Laid out over three levels, they contain rose bushes, Indian lilac, and wisteria, among many other delights. Leading to the old fortifications of Tournon, the gardens end with spectacular views over the Rhone River and Hermitage hills.
Within the town itself, there is much to explore, including the chateau and museum, where interesting exhibitions are held year-round, the medieval town center, and the seventeenth-century tapestries at the Gabriel Faure Lycée. The city of Lyon, with all its museums, beautiful architecture, and fabulous restaurants, is just under an hour away, and of course, the vineyards of the Rhone Valley are not to be missed!
A firm favorite within the wine tourism industry for both leisure and corporate stays, Hotel de la Villeon is an 18th-century mansion that has recently been converted into a luxury hotel.
Extreme care has been taken with the process, and many stunning original features have been preserved, filling the place with a real feeling of living history. The décor exudes the elegance of a bygone age – think marble fireplaces, crystal chandeliers, wooden floors, and wing chairs. In the old stables, a contemporary, minimalist wine cellar and a meeting area has been created, perfect for wine tastings and corporate events.
The hotel offers sixteen guest rooms, four of which are suites. Standard facilities in all rooms include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen satellite TV, air conditioning, and ensuite marble bathrooms with hairdryers and Molton Brown toiletries.
Décor is tasteful in neutral tones, and many of the rooms boast antique furniture and flooring as well as fragrant scented candles – a lovely little extra touch.
Suites are larger, and some, such as the La Villeon suite, feature intricate wainscoting and paneling across walls and ceilings, which will really transport you back to the heyday of this beautiful old mansion. If you fancy your own private terrace, go for the Goddess suite, while some of the rooms on the higher floors have pretty garden views.
With its intimate ambiance and little courtyard area, bar Le Gabriel is the perfect spot to enjoy some of the world-renowned local wines or a cocktail or two from the impressive house menu. There is also a beautifully refurbished dining room where a hearty breakfast buffet is served in the mornings, offering some delightful local produce, including meats, cheeses, pastries, juices, and coffee. In the warmer months, breakfast is served outside on the patio.
2. Villa Florentine, Lyon
Villa Florentine is a Relais & Châteaux Rhone Valley hotel set an enchanting hill, the Villa Florentine offers all the spirit and charm of the Italian Renaissance right in the heart of Lyon. This is definitely one of the best luxury hotels in the Rhone Valley.
The lush green terraces of this 17th-century former convent offer exceptional views of the historical city of Lyon, a Unesco World Heritage site.
Period furniture and contemporary works meet in the rooms, havens of peace and softness. An exquisitely calm pool and Jacuzzi invite you to a voyage of the senses.
In the kitchen, the Chef deploys treasures of refinement and places the culinary focus on the product. At nightfall, the sparkling city lights join together with the stars.
3. InterContinental Lyon
InterContinental Lyon was designed by Jean-Philippe Nuel, a world reference in luxury hotel design, The 144 rooms and suites of the hotel, offer magical views of the Rhone, Notre-Dame de Fourviere, our French gardens and historic courtyards, and more broadly, the city of Lyon.
4. Maison Decoret
Maison Decoret is a is a Relais & Châteaux Rhone Valley hotel across from the Parc des Sources in Vichy. MOF (Best Craftsman of France) Chef Jacques Decoret and his wife Martine have taken over a brick chalet dating from the time of Napoleon III.
The chalet has a conservatory and a planted and aromatic roof, which illuminate the dining room. With its gentle, spacious rooms and a kitchen with large picture windows, it blends contemporary and classical styles, just like the Chef.
Jacques Decoret has created a new art de vivre in a historic thermal spa town. He favors fine produce, to which he applies his innovative skills, concocting combinations of hitherto unsuspected flavors for a cuisine nourished by smiles. Gourmets can also sign up for introductory cookery classes.
5. Château de Codignat
Château de Codignat is a Relais & Châteaux Rhone Valley hotel located in the countryside. In the heart of the Auvergne of the winding rivers, pure water lakes, Romanesque art, and volcanoes stands this 15th-century fortress.
This truly exceptional place, just a few kilometers from Clermont-Ferrand, has exquisite guest rooms and an outdoor pool in the middle of nature, surrounded by a wooded park.
If the magical towers, dungeons, and royal guest rooms with fourposter beds, ancient silk, French marble, and original furniture from the late 19th century are not enchanting enough for you, our restaurant, with a cellar boasting 500 different labels, will seduce you with a cuisine which makes excellent use of the best local produce.
6. La Pyramide Patrick Henriroux
La Pyramide Patrick Henriroux is a Relais & Châteaux Rhone Valley hotel located south of Lyon in the once Roman town of Vienne. The restaurant here is fabulous and has 2 Michelin Stars.
Previously held by the mythical Fernand Point, it is now in the hands of the very talented and friendly Chef Patrick Henriroux and his family, who constantly innovate and update, making La Pyramide an exciting and dynamic destination.
Patrick Henriroux’s cuisine respects its traditional roots and adds a modern touch. The gourmet restaurant Patrick Henriroux boasts contemporary interiors in vivid colors by Régis Dho.
Guests will be delighted by the impressive collection of Chartreuse liqueurs. The rule of three applies to the good things at L’espace PH3, the hotel’s second restaurant: three starters, three main courses, three desserts, three white wines, three rosé wines, and so on.
7. Château de Bagnols
Château de Bagnols is a Relais & Châteaux Rhone Valley hotel located in the heart of the vineyards of Beaujolais 35 minutes from Lyon. Set within a fortress magnified by eight centuries of French art de vivre, overlooks the Beaujolais vineyards and has a 1 Michelin Star restaurant.
1217 is the year when it all started, and the name of the restaurant is adorned with a monumental gothic fireplace. Jean-Alexandre Ouaratta, an accomplished chef, focuses on pure lines and colors to honor the riches of the region of the Monts du Lyonnais mountains.
The château is a voyage into history through a collection of light-filled suites, richly decorated with frescoes, tapestries, and period fireplaces. The wine cellar has been transformed by wood to create a very contemporary design, whilst suites with the fragrances of the countryside open onto a landscaped garden.
8. Hôtel et Restaurant Régis et Jacques Marcon
Hôtel et Restaurant Régis et Jacques Marcon is a Relais & Châteaux Rhone Valley hotel and offers a panorama open to the horizons of the Valleys of Ardèche and Mont du Velay.
Father and son Chefs Régis and Jacques Marcon’s new hotel has “Ecolabel” approval. The décor is minimalist, and there are plenty of spots from which to admire the surrounding mountains. Enjoy natural swimming in the pure water of the pool.
The restaurant is dedicated to seasonal gastronomy and has 3 Michelin Stars. Mountain lovers Régis and Jacques will offer you tastes of mushrooms, wild vegetables, and herbs alongside the Puy green lentils, river fish, and their latest find, lamb “couci-couça” with cep praline.
9. Maison Pic, Valence
Maison Pic, Valence is a Relais & Châteaux Rhone Valley hotel with a gastronomic restaurant, a bistro, and a cookery school.
It features a gorgeous outdoor swimming pool and rooms featuring objects from designers, including Bruno Borrione. The decor is wood, leather, metal, and glass to create matte and transparent effects. of course, you get all the usuals, including a flat-screen TV.
At the Maison Pic’s restaurant, you can sample gastronomic delights made by Anne-Sophie Pic, who boasts 3 Michelin stars. The restaurant opens onto a patio and gardens.
Free parking is provided, and a charging station for electric cars is also available onsite.
10. Auberge de l’Île Barbe, Lyon
Auberge de l’Île Barbe is a Relais & Châteaux Rhone Valley hotel on the banks of the river Saône sits île Barbe, an enchanting, magical paradise that is listed among France’s historical monuments.
In 1977, the eccentric writer Félix Benoît proclaimed the island independent and declared himself the governor of this new territory.
Benoît was a gourmet through and through and would have been delighted with the cuisine of Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex, who has turned this restaurant into one of the best in Lyon with delicious recipes, such as cold foie gras brioche and quince ketchup with grenadine or morel mushroom velouté served like a cappuccino.
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