L'Epice and Wine ★ 4.6
20 by the glassAvignon intra-muros
One of Avignon's most wine-focused bars, L'Epice and Wine opens late with a slate of natural Rhone wines by the glass, organic snacks, and a knowledgeable team. The bottle list extends to producers including Gramenon and Texier alongside the more familiar Beaucastel and Vieux Telegraphe.
The list: Sommelier-curated list of 200 bottles and 20 by-the-glass pours focusing on Rhone Valley natural and biodynamic producers
Tip: Ask the sommelier for a Grenache Noir vertical from Chateauneuf to Gigondas to Cotes du Rhone Villages to track the appellation quality ladder in a single session.
Le Carillon wine bar ★ 4.2
18 by the glassAvignon intra-muros
Place Crillon is Avignon's main evening gathering point, and Le Carillon is one of the bars on this grand square with a genuine wine programme rather than just cocktails. By-the-glass Chateauneuf, Gigondas, and Tavel rose on the terrace with views of the illuminated city walls.
The list: Southern Rhone by-the-glass programme from a terrace on Avignon's most atmospheric piazza; 15 to 20 pours nightly
Tip: Arrive before 21:00 for a terrace table. The square fills with evening promenaders after the Palais des Papes light show in summer.
Winebar Les Bacchantes ★ 4.5
40 by the glassLyon 3e arrondissement
Les Bacchantes is one of Lyon's most serious wine bars, with a northern Rhone and Beaujolais focus that complements the city's position as the gateway to the Rhone corridor. Late-night by-the-glass pours including entry-level Guigal Cote-Rotie and Condrieu cuvees alongside Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph.
The list: 120 bottles on the slate, 40 by-the-glass, focus on northern Rhone (Cote-Rotie, Condrieu, Hermitage) and natural Rhone producers
Tip: Pair the Syrah tasting flight with a plate of Lyonnaise rosette or cervelas sausage for a complete northern Rhone food-and-wine context.
La Cave des Bulles ★ 4.3
25 by the glassValence centre
Valence, the capital of the Drome department and the gateway to the Hermitage zone, hosts this specialist wine bar focusing on Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, and Saint-Peray. The house speciality is the Saint-Peray sparkling Marsanne by the glass, one of the few places outside the estate cellars to find it.
The list: Northern Rhone specialist wine bar with a focus on Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, and Saint-Peray sparkling; 25 by-the-glass
Tip: Ask for the tasting flight of three Saint-Peray styles (still, sparkling cremant, and sparkling reserve) to understand why the appellation is underrated.
Le Mistral ★ 4.5
12 by the glassAvignon intra-muros
Le Mistral is a vinyl-and-wine concept bar inside the Avignon walls: a curated natural wine list with southern Rhone wines as the backbone, played alongside a vinyl record collection covering jazz, afrobeat, and French chanson. Small plates of regional charcuterie.
The list: Natural wine list of 80 bottles and 12 by-the-glass; vinyl soundtrack; southern Rhone focus
Tip: Arrive after 22:00 for the late-night vinyl session. The natural wine list rotates monthly and features small producers not stocked elsewhere in Avignon.
L'Oenomane ★ 4.7
18 by the glassLyon 2e Presqu'ile
One of Lyon's best natural wine bars, L'Oenomane on the Presqu'ile hosts live jazz evenings alongside a deep northern Rhone wine list that includes domaines not available anywhere else in Lyon: Gonon, Texier, Romaneaux-Destezet. The format is convivial and the staff speak English.
The list: Biodynamic and natural wine specialist; 200 bottles and 18 by-the-glass; northern Rhone and Beaujolais heavy; live jazz on Thursdays
Tip: Thursday jazz evenings are popular; arrive by 20:00 to secure a seat. The white Condrieu and Saint-Joseph Marsanne selection is particularly strong.