Beautiful Vienne in Isère may not hold all the historical secrets of its namesake, the capital of Austria, but it does have some great assets: the gateway to the Alps, located just a few kilometres from the superb site of St-Romain-en-Gal, it hosts an internationally-renowned jazz festival every year, and is proud to be able to offer its visitors a few nuggets in terms of accommodation.
Here is our top 3 list of things to do and places to see in and around Vienna, as well as our advice on the best accommodation for a perfect stay! Ready to check-in for your room with private Jacuzzi in Vienna? Follow the guide!
The Balmes viennoises are a group of hills near the city, which gave it the strategic defensive interest that did not escape the Gauls in the past, and which today allows to hang magnificent views over Vienne, the Rhône valley, and the surrounding countryside. To climb the Balmes, you don't need to be in exceptional physical condition: you can take the Corniche road from Vienne by car, or take the Balmes viennoises path from Villette-de-Vienne.
And if you want to get closer to the sky, why not take the opportunity to look up and admire the starry sky on a beautiful evening in the heart of summer? Then, to stay on a starry theme, go down to the Palace of 1001 Nights, a room with a private Jacuzzi in Vienna located on the Jean-Jaurès quay: a perfume of the Orient floats in the air, Scheherazade seems to whisper her tales in your ear, while you bask in the Jacuzzi and give yourself up to the soft warmth of your private hammam.
So what to do in Vienna? Do you want to soar to the sky from the top of the Balmes and land softly in an oriental palace?
Vienne has a rich history dating back thousands of years, largely due to its geographical location, ideally situated between the Alps and the Massif Central, in the heart of the Rhône Valley. So, if you leave Vienne heading north, you will find the continental atmosphere of the eastern slopes of the Massif Central mountains; if you head south, the air is filled with the scents of Provence and the hillsides of the Valley are green with the vineyards that have made the region famous. So, when you ask yourself what to do in Vienne, the answer is obvious: discover the wine treasures of the Rhône Valley, starting with the AOC Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu. You can take advantage of the opportunity to go for a walk in the vineyards and enjoy the local gastronomy with a delicious glass of wine - if you are a wine lover.
From Vienne, head south along the Rhône towards Condrieu, St Michel sur Rhône, Chavanay or St Pierre de Boeuf. Here, white wine is king, almost exclusively made from Viognier grapes whose reputation is well established. So let yourself be carried according to your inspiration from one domain to another, and let yourself be invited for a tasting accompanied by a walk in the vineyards by the passionate wine growers who make the soul of these hillsides. Invite them to tell you their memories of the old days, those that previous generations have left hanging on the terraces, the "chaillets" patiently built over the decades.
At the end of the day, return quickly to enjoy your room with private Jacuzzi in Vienna, in an atmosphere inspired by the marvellous Indonesia: the Bali Spa welcomes you on the banks of the Rhone, and invites you to go from the vineyards to the driftwood, from the Rhone to the Pacific, for an evening with the scent of monoi. The Bali Spa is a suite of nearly 60m2, entirely designed and decorated to make you spend an unforgettable evening, with luxury services for absolute relaxation. Don't ask yourself what to do in Vienna: simply treat yourself to a break at the other end of the world!
815 kilometres of cycle paths along the Rhône, from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean: that's more than worth getting out your bike mitts from the back of a cupboard!
For a weekend in the vicinity of Vienne, a few dozen kilometres will be enough to offer you a total change of scenery: from St-Romain-en-Gal to Sablons, a little over 30 km of greenway or cycle route will take you from the sumptuous Gallo-Roman remains to the terraced hillsides of the Côte-Rôtie vineyards, and through magnificently preserved natural areas. From Vienne, take the quays southwards and cross the ages and landscapes without getting off your horse or leaving the banks of the Rhône: from ancient times to mangroves, let yourself slide from extraordinary sites to breathtaking panoramas, only a few hundred yards from the capital of the Allobroges.
So what to do in Vienna? Instead of the unmissable visit to the site of St-Romain-en-Gal, why not go and say hello to the beavers on the Ile-du-Beurre by bike? This is an unexpected programme, to say the least, but one that you are sure to enjoy! Especially if you allow yourself a few digressions along the way, to visit a wine estate or have lunch at a nice table d'hôte.
And at the end of the day, after your escape on two wheels, you will love to return to your splendid room with private Jacuzzi in Vienna, the Bali Spa or the Oriental Spa, and plunge into a delicious whirlpool bath to relax your legs. You'll travel even further with the beautifully appointed decor of these two dreamy suites, sipping a glass or two from a bottle brought back from the day's expedition if you wish. Drink in moderation, but enjoy without restraint
