Tastings of local cheeses at the Valence fromagerie from June to September, with registration at the shop.
On the advice of sommelier Sébastien Maucarré, the Saint-Marcellin consortium suggests Rhône whites such as Saint-Joseph. A Marsanne-Roussanne white has the weight to meet the soft style's dried-fruit, honey and cream notes.
The accords-mets-vins.fr guide names Crozes-Hermitage blanc first in its answer on white wines for this creamy, slightly milky cheese. A dry Marsanne-Roussanne white raised in used barrels cuts the richness without the heavy oak or sharp acidity the guide warns against.
INAO says the cheese goes particularly well with the white wines of the neighbouring Condrieu appellation, and the two appellations share a festival every 1 May. Viognier's floral richness meets the firm, smooth paste with its hazelnut and forest-floor notes.
Address: 62 rue Madier de Montjau, 26000 Valence, Rhone Valley
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.
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.
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.
