Vienne Travel Guide, Isere, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

Vienne is a town located in the heart of an impressive communication hub, 30 km south of Lyon, 90 km north-west of Grenoble and 50 km north-east of Saint-Etienne, Vienne and the Viennese country are an integral part of a territory particularly dynamic economically and culturally. The richness and diversity of its history have raised Vienna to the rank of City of Art and History. The vestiges of the past are combined with a dynamic commercial life and an intense cultural activity, like the Jazz festival.

History
Vienna is one of the oldest cities in the region. From the 5th century BC, some human settlements have been observed thanks to archaeological excavations. In the third century BC. BC, Vienne belongs to the Gallic people of the Allobroges, of which it then becomes the capital. But it is the Roman Empire which made its glory and its wealth…. From this period, Vienne has one of the richest archaeological heritage in France.

The irregular course of the Rhone threat of flood terraces until the II century BC. AD During the Early Empire (27 BC. – middle III century, Vienna knows a spectacular urbanization, with a monumental adornment which reflects its rank. With a diversified economy, the city is developing outside the city walls, on the left bank of the Rhône, to the south, and on the right bank. At the end of III century and the IV century, the city, folded in its center occupies more than twenty hectares at most. The bishops, then the archbishops, took over from failing civil institutions.

Subsequently, Vienne was first attached to the Holy Empire, and did not come under the domination of the kings of France until the middle of the 15th century. It was at this time that its influence gradually faded away from the development of Lyon and Grenoble. The first Christian communities left a large number of religious buildings such as the churches of Saint-Pierre, Saint-André-le-Bas and Saint-André-le-Haut, or the former primatial cathedral of Saint-Maurice, flagship of Romanesque and Gothic art.

With the industrial boom began in the XVIII century the prosperous Viennese economy. Home to many factories devoted in particular to textile and metallurgy activities, the city, served by the railroad, stretches east (Vallée de Gère), north (Estressin) and south (L’Isle). The habitat extends over the heights and becomes denser, particularly in Estressin and Isle. On the plateau to the east of the town, the district of Malissol was born around 1970. Marked from the 1950sThrough the crisis of its industries, Vienne is affirming its cultural and tourist vocation, with Jazz à Vienne since 1981 and the Heritage Plan, initiated in 2005.

Gallo-Roman remains
Located between the Rhône and the hills of Isère, Vienne naturally becomes a privileged place to build a city protected from attacks and accessible to trade by water. In the Gallo-Roman era, the city radiated on both sides of the river, and vineyards were already developing on both banks of the Rhône. In the Middle Ages, the city once again experienced prosperity thanks to its important religious position and the presence of powerful archbishops. In the industrial era, it was the north of the city and its Gère valley that stood out thanks to the development of the textile industry.

The Gallo-Roman period
From the 5th century BC, Vienne was populated by the Allobroges, a powerful Gallic people whose territory stretched from the Rhône to Lake Geneva. At the time, the future “Vienna” was just a village spread out between the Gère valley, Mont Pipet and the Rhône river. Vienna then became the capital of the Allobroges and after several battles, joined the Roman Empire in 121 BC. With the arrival of the Romans, the city gradually extends to reach the right bank of the Rhône, on the current town of Saint-Romain-en-Gal. The Romans built sumptuous villas, testimonies of their wealth and their engineering.

Vienna becomes a prosperous city as shown by its main monuments: the Temple of Augustus and Livia located at the time in the middle of the imposing forum, the ancient theater, a place of gathering and shows that could accommodate up to 10,000 spectators, the Odeon, “small theater”, reserved for the elite and present only in the most noble cities, the Pyramid, the only vestige of the old circus where horse races took place

Medieval times
In medieval times, the city of Vienne became a powerful religious city. It is nicknamed ” Vienna holy city ” and knows some significant events: the appointment of Guy de Bourgogne, who becomes pope under the name of Calixte II. He is crowned in Saint-Maurice Cathedral and will become the only Viennese Pope in history; the intervention of Archbishop Jean de Bernini, who drives out the Jewish merchants from the city and with the looted money, restores the choir of the cathedral and builds the Château de la Bâtie; the Council of Vienna which marks the final dissolution of the mysterious Order of the Templars

Many buildings still bear witness to its past grandeur today: the monumental Saint-Maurice cathedral of course, but also the Saint-André-le-Bas church and cloister, the Saint-André-le-Haut church, the museum Lapidaire Saint-Pierre… Come and discover them quickly, by walking the heritage trail or by following one of our many guided tours.

Industrial age
At the beginning of the 19th century, the banks of the Gère, a river located north of Vienne, were home to numerous textile factories, attracted by the use of the driving force of water. With the appearance of steam engines, industries also developed in the districts of Estressin, south of Vienne and around Condrieu. The textile industry continued to flourish until the 20th century (Vienna even provided up to a quarter of the sheets for troops during World War I!) But the arrival of new synthetic materials gradually led to the closing of factories. The north of Vienna remains closely linked to its industrial past. The Textile Industry Museum, opened at the end of 2019 in the Gère valley, will allow you to discover the inventions and textile companies that have marked local history.

Vienne Condrieu Nowaday
Vienne Condrieu Agglomeration now has 30 municipalities, spread between Isère (38) and Rhône (69). Beyond the monuments present in Vienne and Saint-Romain-en-Gal, we find traces of human presence in the surrounding countryside from the Gallo-Roman era: remains of paved roads, medieval churches and chapels, ruins of castles… Due to its position and its proximity to the Rhône, the territory of Vienne Condrieu has always been a crossroads between populations and a place of commerce.

In 2017, a major excavation projecttook place in Sainte-Colombe following the updating of buildings dating from the Gallo-Roman period. Considerable discoveries have been made and will allow us to learn more about the history of Vienne, Condrieu and its surroundings.

Attractions
The historic center of Vienne is full of Gallo-Roman remains in an exemplary state of conservation. The temple of Augustus and Livia, for example, is one of the only two temples still standing in France, along with the square house of Nîmes. Vienne is also fortunate to have two theaters: a large theater, which hosts the famous Jazz Festival in Vienne every year, and a small theater, the Odeon.

In Septème, on the heights of the territory, discover a hidden and unexpected treasure: a medieval castle in an exceptional state of conservation. This architectural heritage has been preserved thanks to the investment of the owner family: inhabited until the middle of the 20th century, the descendants, made up of several dozen cousins, meet there every summer and help keep the castle in good condition. In 2018, one of the descendants of the family takes over the management of the castle with her husband and children so that everyone can enjoy this exceptional monument. A fun visit, crossbow shooting, a visit to the castle’s “secret rooms” or a dinner event, the Château de Septème is a must-see on your way to Vienna!

Castle of Septème
The castle manifests the power of the 24 families who have owned it over 800 years. For more than 250 years in the same family, Septème has opened its doors to young and old. In particular, we discover daily life in the Middle Ages. The name of Septème recalls the presence in Roman times of a milestone at the seventh mile on the road linking Vienna to northern Italy. At the top of a hill remain the ruins of the old castle (10th century). In the 13th century, the House of Savoy created a powerful base of operations against the Dauphin and created an impressive enclosure of more than 1 km of ramparts. The castle is today known for its impressive ramparts which surround a park where peacocks roam free. The interior rooms are also in an exceptional state of conservation and allow you to imagine life in the Middle Ages, thanks to beautiful collections of furniture and objects.

Cybele archaeological garden
The garden of Cybèle presents the complex remains of a district of the Gallo-Roman city: the forum, which constituted the heart of the city. The archaeological garden of Cybèle presents the remains of the institutional district of the Gallo-Roman city: the forum. It breaks down into 3 key areas: Two arches of a forum portico of imposing size and sculpted with symbolic ornamental motifs (god of the river), which shows the importance of the forum in urban planning among the Romans. A wall in large apparatus which corresponded to the municipal assembly hall which can accommodate 800 magistrates on steps still visible. A large town house (domus), undoubtedly very luxurious, with furnished terraces where large archaeological discoveries have been made.

Saint-Maurice cathedral
A jewel of architecture, the Saint-Maurice cathedral is an emblematic monument of Vienna. The first cathedral was established on the same site as the current building, from the 4th century, inside the reduced enclosure of the Gallo-Roman city. Some relics of Saint Maurice, in particular his head, were introduced at the beginning of the 8th century into the cathedral; their cult benefited from the piety and generosity of the Carolingian rulers (Boson, in the 9th century) or of the kings of Burgundy (10-11th century).

Inside the cathedral, the beautiful harmony of the naves does not mask the various construction campaigns which followed one another from the 12th century to the beginning of the 16th century. Successive project managers were keen to integrate, by reusing them, older sculpted elements: fragments of Gallo-Roman architecture (such as the griffin lintel on the north door or the twisted columns inside) or even Romanesque arcades replaced above the Gothic chapels. Barely completed, the cathedral fell victim to looting and destruction linked to the disturbances of the Wars of Religion (1561, 1562, 1567). Since the second half of the 19th century, extensive restoration work has been undertaken to remedy the damage caused by runoff problems or the degradation of materials, in particular molasse.

Temple of Augustus and Livia
Built around 20-10 BC, the Temple of the Vienna Forum was dedicated to the worship of Rome and Augustus. In this sense, it should be compared to the Maison Carrée in Nîmes. It owes its survival to its transformation into a church. It is an example of the transposition in a Gallo-Roman provincial city of the model of a temple raised on a podium, with a decoration of the Roman Corinthian order. Only the construction of the rear part is generally attributed to the beginning of the reign of Emperor Augustus, around 20-10 BC. The observation of architectural or decorative variants, on the cornice and capitals for example, suggests another campaign of work, later for the rest of the monument, around 40 AD.

On the east side, the frieze and the architrave bore movable letters belonging to successive inscriptions; the oldest was a dedication to “Rome and to Augustus Caesar, son of the Divine (Julius Caesar)”. These two associated cults (Rome and the Emperor Augustus), to which was added here that of Divinized Livia (wife of Augustus), were an essential political and religious element for the integration of the local urban populations. The monument was erected on a converted platform, overlooking the Rhône coast (to the west), and near a rocky point (under the current Palais de Justice). Colonnaded porticoes delimited around the temple a sacred area recognized during ancient excavations. Towards the east stretched the esplanade of the forum, closed by a public building to which belong the two arcades visible in the garden of Cybele. The whole formed a vast closed public monumental complex which expressed, in majestic colonnaded architecture, the civic values or the administrative functions of the Gallo-Roman city.

Cloister Saint André-le-Bas
Founded in the 6th or 7th century, the Abbey of Saint-André-le-Bas was one of the most important monasteries in the diocese of Vienne during the Middle Ages. At the instigation of the Society of Friends of Vienna, the restoration of the cloister was led by the architect Jules Formigé; the restored building was inaugurated in 1938. Restored for the last time in 2011, the new museography presents a selection of seven inscriptions related to the history of the abbey and its district, as well as the small columns from the bell tower of the church, accompanied by tactile elements. In addition, three rooms which precede the entrance to the cloister are intended for temporary exhibitions organized throughout the year by the museum conservation service of Vienna.

Ancient Theater
Built between 40 and 50 AD, it takes the shape of the Pipet hill to which it leans. This theater is considered to be one of the most important in Roman Antiquity. The steps of the Roman theater are set against the steep slopes of the hill of Pipet. Its capacity of around 13,000 spectators made the Vienna theater one of the largest urban theaters of the Roman Empire, the second in Gaul after that of Autun. In the 2nd century, it was doubled by a second, smaller theater, the odeon, built nearby on the southern slope of the Saint-Marcel ravine. By its plan and its general organization, it conformed to the Latin model of the stone theater, even if the anchoring on the rock determined particular devices. Annular vaulted galleries formed the supporting framework of the steps of the cavea and served for the circulation of spectators.

Expression of the civic and sacral community of the Roman world, the theater was not used only for shows (comedies, dramatic pieces, pantomimes, variety shows, dances, sports struggles…); but could also become a place of civic or official gatherings. Thanks to its restoration, the summer shows have revived the entertaining function of the theater: lyrical art, varieties, dances, and since 1981 a jazz festival: the Jazz Festival in Vienne in the first fortnight of July.

Vienna theater
Built in 1782, this Italian-style theater, listed as a historical monument, has retained all of its original architecture: a horseshoe-shaped hall on three levels, the public foyer and the vast staircases that surround it. Italian-style theater with corbelled structure, it has a parterre, two balconies, a classical stage (6.50 mx 9 m) and an orchestra pit now equipped with armchairs. The vaulted ceiling of the auditorium (the dome) has been dressed in a fresco. Its foyer features 18th century pictorial decorations (languid poses with pink flesh in the middle of foliage and clouds). Its 350 seats, as well as its sound and technical equipment, make this theater an intimate place where the public benefits from proximity to the artists as well as an exceptional listening capacity, a real little candy box in the heart of the city of Vienna. The place is not accessible outside the show.

Pipet Belvedere
The Belvédère de Pipet is a grandiose viewpoint of the Viennese agglomeration, with the Rhône in full majesty in the background, ahead of the hillsides adorned with renowned vineyards. Occupying a privileged place in the Viennese landscape at the peak of the Pipet hill, the site was developed in Roman times. It accompanied the transformation of the city, housing first a sacred sanctuary, a fortress and then the current chapel. In antiquity, a platform, more than 120 m long, constituted a sacred area with temples, statues of divinities, thus forming a cultural space linked architecturally to the theater, the tiers of which are leaned against the outcrops of the rock below. The importance of the masonry which supported this esplanade can still be seen ascent Saint-Marcel and rue de la Gère.

Former possession of the kings of Burgundy, handed over to the Church of Vienne in 1023, the fortress of Pipet was the site of power issues. Its dominant position also made it a disputed place throughout the ages. The judgment of January 1633, concerning the places and castles of the Dauphiné, sealed the destruction of the fortifications of Pipet, despite the protests of the Viennese canons who had held them since the 13th century. In the 19th century, the Viennese wanted to dedicate this high place to the Virgin Mary: a brick tower surmounted by a stone statue of Volvic was first erected (1857-1858); then a pilgrimage chapel was built in honor of Notre-Dame de la Salette in 1873.

Pyramid
This monument remains an emblematic building for Vienna. Preserved over the centuries, it bears witness to the presence of a Roman circus, which was used in particular for chariot races in antiquity. In the 2nd century, to establish the circus (about 460 m long), town planners had found the necessary space in the plain which had been partially developed along the Rhône at the beginning of the previous century thanks to massive embankments.

The Pyramid stood in the middle of the axial platform, in Latin the spina (thorn), built in the circus arena. The spina, slightly raised compared to the track, was decorated with small aedicules, basins or fountains decorated with sculptures. In the absence of an amphitheater (not recognized to date), one can wonder if this circus did not also host gladiatorial fights or other shows? Before the true nature of the Pyramid which was also called the Needle was established, the popular imagination had taken hold of this monument. The most common version made it a funerary monument, assigned sometimes to the founding hero of Vienna, sometimes to an emperor (Augustus or Alexander Severus), or even to Pontius Pilate, the prefect of Judea who was killed by a legendary medieval cycle in exile in Vienna.

Events and festivities
Enjoy quality cultural, musical and artistic programming all year round. The Jazz à Vienne festival of course, but also jazz all year round, intimate concerts or even master classes in and around Vienne. This territory has many other cultural proposals such as the humor festival in the spring, the great taste events or the detective story festival “Sang d’Encre” in November. Without forgetting the Gallo-Roman Days in June or the historical festival and the Roman harvest, “the Vinalia” in September.

Gallo-Roman Days
Every 2 years, the Gallo-Roman Days take visitors on a journey through time and make them discover known or unknown aspects of life during the time of the Romans. The content of the program and activities will focus on the contributions of experimental archeology, which the museum has made a specialty of for the past fifteen years. Among the games and sports prized by the Romans, gladiatorialism has a very special place, a universal and unifying subject present in all the countries formerly included in the Empire. An emblematic facet of Antiquity, it gives us the keys to exploring and understanding Roman society but also our own, through the fantasized representations that gladiators have aroused in our collective imagination.

Jazz Festival in Vienne
Created in 1981 for 5 evenings, the “Jazz à Vienne” festival has become in a few years the first Jazz festival in France, the first cultural event in Rhône-Alpes and one of the most important European festivals by the number of spectators welcomed.. With nearly 150,000 festival-goers on average, “Jazz à Vienne” enjoys international fame with both the public and artists. Each year, Jazz à Vienne puts all the notes in the spotlight: gospel, blues, soul, funk, ethnic… They will all find a special place on the stages of the festival because the event is fully experienced as much at the ancient theater as on one of the different stages (Cybèle scenes, midnight scenes at the Italian-style theater in Vienne, JazzMix…). The 2-week festival represents more than 200 concerts and a thousand artists. A “high-flying” program every summer in Vienna!

Vienna Historic Festival
Initially called the Medieval, this great event, which has become the historic Fête de Vienne, offers a different theme each year, the first weekend of September. For two days, the entire city goes back in time! Medieval market in the city center, parades, strolls, show at the ancient theater… More than 500 volunteers and a dozen theater companies participate in the event.

Vinalia: Roman harvest
Since 2004, the Vinalia have been offering you a unique living experience to discover the pleasures of the table in Antiquity. Uncover the secrets of making wine, beer or mead while tasting authentic Roman recipes. Greek, Gallic or Roman artisanal practices related to wine and gastronomy will also be presented throughout the archaeological site. Tastings, demonstrations and meetings with specialists in ancient food will enrich the program throughout the day. The Vinalia are organized under the patronage of the Unesco “Culture and Traditions of Wine” Chair in Dijon. The event is labeled “Vignobles & Découvertes destination Condrieu-Côte-Rôtie”.

The Fascinating Weekend
The Fascinant Week-end is the major wine tourism event that brings together the vineyards of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Occitanie regions every year around unusual wine tourism events. Discover the treasures of the territory at the new Cellar of Château E. Guigal from Friday evening, then awaken your senses during the jazz aperitifs in the estates on Saturday and end your weekend with a delicious Sunday brunch at the winegrowers for a lazy day. Many activities will punctuate this wine tourism weekend to make your tasting a trip… The wine cellars open their doors on Saturday at aperitif time with mini jazz concerts. Enjoy a visit to the cellar, then a wine tasting and extend the evening with some musical notes in the company of the winegrowers.

Pressailles festival
Praised by ancient authors, the wines of the left bank of the Rhône, known to the confines of the Roman Empire, were forgotten for centuries. It was not until the end of the 1990s and a few winegrowers, unearthing great terroirs, to bring this great vineyard back to life. Just twenty years ago, the first vine was planted. Today, fifteen estates, united in the Vitis Vienna association, have reinvested the sunny slopes of Vienne, Seyssuel and Chasse-sur-Rhône. To celebrate this great success and celebrate the new harvest, the association, in partnership with Vienne Condrieu Tourisme, invites you to its Pressailles festival. On the program for this edition, autumn walks in the vineyards in the company of the winegrowers, a sports circuit by bike and a small train tour of the vineyard.

Ink Blood Festival
The unmissable event for detective literature – 3rd weekend in November. For more than 20 years, the MJC of Vienna has been organizing the Blood Ink Festival around detective literature. On the program: meetings and dedications with the greatest authors of the genre, exhibitions, special visits and shows. Nearly forty writers follow one another in Vienna’s magnificent village hall for a weekend dedicated to detective literature: signatures, debates, round tables, exhibitions… Almost 3,000 visitors meet each year to meet their favorite authors!

Natural areas
Vienne’s region is an authentic call to walk among nature and rural discoveries of outstanding nature sites

Flood meadow
Inside the 80 hectares site classified sensitive natural area since 2004, you cand find out 3 watercourses, water seepage as well as a tapestry of wet areas

Barlet Island
Secondary arm of the river in Saint-Romain-en-Gal offers a playground for walkers, riders, fishermen and “pétanque” players. To try: health path and a “guinguette” (coffee snack bar).

The Grisard
Grisard is part of the Pilat regional park from where views are wonderful. Fauna is particularly various.

The Combe de Vaux
Consists of two areas: “Le Genevrier” and “le Rôti”. “La Combe de Vaux has been classified as a sensitive natural site by the department of Isère in 2005.

Refuge of the wood of the Church
Hut for walkers, picnic area and departure place for many walks.

Activities
It is not only heritage in Vienna and its surroundings! You will find many activities to entertain you with friends or family. Some are available outdoors to allow everyone to take a good breath of fresh air, others are indoors, to keep busy even on rainy days.

Wam Park Lyon Condrieu leisure center
The Wam Park Leisure Center invites you to take advantage of its various activities. On site, you will find a swimming area (supervised in the afternoons in July and August) with a beach area and a bar / snack bar. In summer, it’s the perfect place to cool off. If you are more of the active type, the leisure center offers a multitude of activities for young and old: from ski lift to minigolf via towed buoy or paddle rental, there is something for all ages and all levels. The leisure center also offers some new features that will not leave you indifferent: discover for example the Water Games, these inflatable games on the water, to fill up with sensations. And if you prefer to laze around by the water, the terrace and the wooden “floating islands” are the ideal place to admire the surrounding vineyards and the impressive ski-lift waterfalls. Cyclist friends, from the ViaRhôna cycle route, do not hesitate to make the detour to the leisure center for a well-deserved break before continuing south.

Accrobranche Cimes Aventures
Experience an adventure in the trees by defying the laws of gravity. More than 90 activities spread over 8 courses of different difficulty… For lovers of thrills and nature, sporty or not, Cimes Aventures offers you the possibility to surpass yourself, to test your limits while having fun. Monkey bridges, zip lines, footbridges, lumberjack passages, explorers’ bridges… Have a good time with family or friends, there will be something for everyone: adventure trail, trampoline, mountain bike rental, walk in the forest or simply rest on the terrace… You can eat on site with our snack bar and discover our menus marmoset, adventurer and great ape !! Drinks, ice cream, fries, pizza, cheeseburger, sandwich, hot meal, etc.

Vienne City Tram
Comfortably settled in glazed wagons, admire the Roman remains of the city of Vienne (english audio-description available) and be stunned by the incredible view over the Rhone valley from the Pipet Belvedere. New generation tourist train pass through the streets of Vienna: with its modern and original design, the ” Vienna City Tram ” does not go unnoticed and is a delight for young and old.

With family, friends or in a group, various walks are offered throughout the year, in the vineyards or in the city center of Vienna. In the Vienna walking tour, a stop at the Pipet belvedere is included to observe the impressive Ancient Theater from above. During the concerts of the famous Jazz à Vienne festival, it can accommodate up to 7,000 people! The panorama extends over the whole town and over the beginning of the vineyards of the Rhône valley. The Vienne City Tram is also the ideal mode of transport to admire the vertiginous landscapes in the vineyards: the ride in the Côte-Rôtie takes you along the Rhône before an ascent in the steep hillsides. Along the way, your guide will tell you about the history of this prestigious vineyard and the work of the winegrowers. And to end this walk, after the theory, it’s time for practice with a tasting of local wines.

Boat trips with the Canotiers du Rhône
Aboard a wooden boat, inspired by Gallo-Roman boats, observe the vineyards as you have never seen them. Several options are available to you: aperitif on board, getaway on the water with a stopover at the Condrieu nautical base and return by bike or ride from Ampuis with a stopover in the Gallo-Roman city of Vienne. Several departure points are possible depending on the trip: Sainte-Colombe pier (opposite Vienne, next to Saint-Romain-en-Gal), or the Roches de Condrieu.

Nature activities
Many activities are available to you: hiking in the Pilat massif, bike rides on the ViaRhôna or even wakeboarding at the Condrieu nautical base.

Walk
The former Viennese country and the Regional Natural Park of Pilat offer hiking trails for all levels and all ages: from a simple Sunday stroll to climbing steep hills, anything is possible! Our hiking files allow you to prepare your itinerary with confidence.

By bike
The ViaRhôna route is a cycle path that follows the Rhône river, from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean. Between Saint-Romain-en-Gal and Sablons, the track is flat and almost exclusively green, without sharing the road with other vehicles. The path is therefore ideal for family walks.