The Côte Roannaise covers 215 hectares of vineyards and extends across 13 communes. A registered designation of origin since 1994, the Côte Roannaise continues to grow in popularity and offers many attractions. The Wine Route, labeled Vignobles & Découvertes, promises an authentic and friendly discovery of this vineyard, where Gamay Saint-Romain reigns supreme.
For a weekend or a getaway, you can therefore criss-cross this tourist route dedicated to the vineyards and heritage just a stone's throw from the city of Roanne.
La Pacaudière – Le Crozet – Changy
The Forez-Roannais Wine Route in Volcanic Loire begins in the heart of the village of La Pacaudière. This town is known for The Little Louvre, a monument from the 15th centurye and XVIe centuries. It was a stopover lodge for the king's officers, a coaching inn for the Royal service, a brigade of constabulary and a presbytery.
The road continues within the Village of Character, The CrozetThis village contains houses from the 13th centurye, XVthe and XVIe centuries.
Points of interest
Le Petit Louvre
Where to taste wine?
- Domaine du Tafret – Victor Lehuger
Ambierle
Ambierle owes its fame to a Benedictine abbey, integrated into the order of Cluny in 938. The village is also recognized for its “Village of Character in the Loire” label.
Where to taste wine?
- Domain Reniteo – David Michelis,
- Field of Palaces – Yann Palais,
- Bénisson-Dieu Estate – Régie and Aude Anouil.
Saint-Haon-le-Vieux – Saint-Romain-la-Motte
In Saint-Haon-le-Vieux, a site attracts the curious: Les Pierres St-Martin, there are around ten of these rocks of different shapes and sizes, hollowed out with cavities that retain rainwater, one of them is said to never empty...
Where to taste wine?
- Lapandéry Estate – Lucas Lapandéry,
- Champagny Estate – Frédéric Villeneuve,
- Domaine Le Picatier – Géraldine and Christophe Pialoux,
- François Lasseigne Estate, François Lasseigne.
Saint-Haon-le-Chatel
Third Village of Character crossed by the Wine Route, Saint-Haon-le-Chatel combines charm and simplicity, an exceptional environment, medieval ambiance and Renaissance heritage.
Where to taste wine?
- Domain of the Ardaillons – Yannick Pras
Renaison
Renaison, a village in the heart of the vineyards, is also famous for its dams and its Douglas fir President, the largest in Europe.
The Renaison dams, listed in the inventory of picturesque sites of the Loire, are full of information on water with the educational footbridge of the factory and the exhibition at the Maison de l'Eau.
Where to taste wine?
- Domaine Desormiere – Eric and Thierry Désormière,
- JB Clair House – Claudine Clair and Guido D’Antonio,
- Domaine Serol – Carine and Stéphane Sérol,
- The Blondins Vineyards – Michel Troisgros and Stéphane Sérol.
Saint-André-d'Apchon
Saint-André-d'Apchon is known for its south-facing hill, the Bouthéran, planted with vines that overlooks the village. The quality and reputation of its AOC red wine extends far beyond the department.
Where to taste wine?
- Domaine Vial – Philippe and Jean-Marie Vial,
- Domaine Bonneton – Thierry Bonneton.
Saint-Alban-les-Eaux
A village made famous by its mineral water. The springs park is still accessible and takes you back to the seaside resort's past at the beginning of the 20th century.e century. Along the paths, you will find the four naturally carbonated springs.
Where to taste wine?
- Back to basics – Edgar and Marc-Antoine Pluchot,
- Vincent Giroudon.
Villemontais – Lentigny
Villemontais hides a chapel in the heart of the forest. The Saint-Jean-Baptiste chapel was built in the 15th centurye century. It was destroyed during the revolution of 1789, then rebuilt in 1857.
Where to taste wine?
- Domaine des Pothiers – Romain Paire,
- Rochette Estate – Antoine, Olivier and Pascal Néron,
- Domaine Thinon – Florent Thinon,
- Domain of 7 plots – Caroline Almarcha, Kévin Arlot and José Martins.
Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire – Villerest
A real balcony overlooking the Loire River, Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire is labeled “Village of Character in the Loire”. Let yourself be seduced by this exceptional viewpoint, by its Celtic oppidum, its church, its dungeon, its ramparts, frescoes and Renaissance manors.
Where to taste wine?
- Clos Saint-Jean – Joël and Richard Lapalue,
- Domaine Piat – Gérard Piat.
A route favoring soft roaming
The wine route stretches from La Pacaudière in the north to Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire, south of Roanne, a distance of approximately 55 km. This route crosses 12 communes within the appellation. You can explore this exceptional itinerary, combining nature, heritage, and gastronomy, in one day.
7 mountain bike circuits on the Wine Route
Boucle 7 / La Vaillante / Lentigny – Villemontais – St-Jean-St-Maurice-sur-Loire
Discover the vineyard through a treasure hunt
Enjoy the game "Who Stole the Gamay Saint-Romain?", available for sale at Information Points and the Roannais Tourisme shop, to uncover the secrets of the Côte Roannaise in a relaxed atmosphere, with family or friends.
Hiking in the heart of the vineyards
Our highlights
From spring to autumn, events follow one another on the wine route. Gourmet stroll in Côte Roannaise, meetings with winegrowers, Fascinating Weekend, they are all related to the oenological theme. These festivals are popular, friendly and are experiences to live to discover our beautiful region.
- Aperitifs on the Coast : A new concept of guided tours is proposed: the aperitifs on the coast. Meet our winegrowers for a privileged visit of 1h30 within their domains in the heart of the AOC Côte Roannaise vineyard. A VIP welcome will be granted to you with an exclusive tour of the estate, tasting of wines and farm charcuterie.
Gourmet walk in Côte Roannaise
Vineyards on stage
Our irresistible experiences
Forez-Roannais Wine Route, a terroir of colorful and authentic character
Answers to your questions
Why a Wine Route?
Our region is fortunate to have a quality vineyard with a growing reputation thanks to its Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée and its obtaining of the label Vignobles & Découvertes.
Winegrowers, keen to share their terroir and their expertise, are naturally turning to wine tourism.
Also, magnificent Villages of Character dot the route of the Wine Route without forgetting the very rich gastronomic offer of Roannais.
With all these assets, a Wine Route project can only be a success for the notoriety of our destination and the region's wines.
Where is the Forez-Roannais Wine Route located?
Between Clermont-Ferrand and Lyon, the 215 hectares of the Côte Roannaise vineyard are located in the northern part of the Loire department. Stretching along a 20-kilometer-long hillside, the Côte Roannaise overlooks the Loire River and rests on the foothills of the Monts de la Madeleine.
Practical information
Lucile's opinion
Originally from Roanne, I'm proud of this terroir and seeing the growing reputation of Côte Roannaise wines. Meeting winemakers on a route designed to explore the region is an idea I like. Tasting, bike rides, village visits—this wine route has everything a great experience needs!
