Cheese tastings, cave tours, markets and cheese routes in Rhone Valley.
A guide to cheese experiences in Rhone Valley.
A 200 m2 museum route on goat farming, milking and Picodon making, with films, educational workshops, fact sheets and the ageing rooms, above the Peytot ageing workshop. Individual tasting is free per the Ardèche Guide listing.
Two-day Picodon festival in Saoû on the third weekend of July, as the organisers put it; the 2026 edition was held in July. The Picodon syndicate also lists a Picodon festival in Dieulefit in August.
Guided visit of a goat dairy making Picodon AOP, with a free tasting; guided visits are compulsory for individuals and groups. Group rates start at 20 people, and groups can be up to 55.
Guided visit of a goat farm of about 100 animals and its cheese-making room, on reservation, for individuals and groups. The cheeses run from faisselle to Picodon.
Tour of the goat house or take part in the milking at an organic Picodon farm under Mont Couspeau, by appointment, for individuals and groups. The tourist office listing dates from January 2025; the farm's Facebook page was posting in September 2026, so call ahead.
Tastings of local cheeses at the Valence fromagerie from June to September, with registration at the shop.
Group cheese tastings at a goat dairy making Picodon AOP, tommes and faisselle, all year by appointment. The dairy's own site says groups of up to 40; the 2023 tourist office listing gives 15 to 100. Parking on site.
Educational visits of a farm with goats and cattle in Saint-Bardoux, September to June by appointment, plus farm-inn meals of the farm's own produce on reservation.
Watch the goats being milked at an organic Picodon farm at the entrance to Saoû, then buy cheese at the farm. The farm also has a relais paysan for one to eight people.
Private wine tour of the Rhône Valley, a day out in France tasting great wines in a unique atmosphere.
Discover two of the best preserved Roman monuments in the world: The Roman Theatre of Orange and the Aqueduct of the Pont du Gard (UNESCO Sites) and enjoy a wine tasti...
Explore the beautiful city of Avignon. See the Papal Palace, enjoy some lunch, visit Chateau Sainte-Roseline, and taste the wine of the Provence.
In the Drôme and Ardèche departments and the cantons of Valréas (Vaucluse) and Barjac (Gard), according to the Picodon AOP syndicate.
About 60 g after eight days of ageing, according to the syndicate; INAO gives a minimum of 60 g.
The accords-mets-vins.fr pairing guide lists Saint-Péray and Crozes-Hermitage blanc among its whites, Tavel rosé for an aged Picodon and Côtes-du-Rhône rouge among its reds, and warns against wines that are too powerful or too tannic.
4.2 to 5 cm in diameter and 1.9 to 2.4 cm high, with a minimum weight of 30 g, according to the AOP specification published by the EU.
At least 8 days from unmoulding before it can be sold, according to the specification.
INAO says it goes particularly well with the white wines of the neighbouring Condrieu appellation, and the two appellations hold a joint festival every 1 May.
In listed communes of the Rhône and Loire departments in the Pilat massif, including Condrieu, Ampuis and Chavanay, according to the specification.
On the advice of sommelier Sébastien Maucarré, the consortium suggests Rhône Valley whites such as Saint-Joseph, Rhône reds such as Hermitage, or a craft blonde beer.