Saint-Étienne-des-Sorts has a strong connection to the Rhône, combining local architectural history with wine. At the Site Saint-Pierre, a tower and a Romanesque chapel stand on a natural viewpoint. The “Le long du Rhône” walking trail starts and ends in Saint-Étienne-des-Sorts, near the church. Other highlights include more than forty capitelles, the Saint-Roch Oratory, and a tasting venue for wine and regional produce. The village appeals to travellers looking to combine river scenery with specific cultural and culinary experiences.

The Rhône and the Site Saint-Pierre

The Site Saint-Pierre is on a natural viewpoint 300 metres north of the village. From there, you can see more than 60 kilometres of the Rhône’s course. The tower and Romanesque chapel are part of the site; the remains of the watchtower add a historical dimension to the view. They bear witness to the monitoring of river traffic in the Middle Ages. Here, the river is both a sweeping landscape and a focus of medieval observation.

On foot by the river

Along its route, the “Le long du Rhône” walking trail passes the Site Saint-Pierre and then follows the banks of the Rhône. The route therefore brings together two distinct connections to the area: the viewpoint with its tower and chapel, and the river itself, right by the water. Travellers looking for a specific link between heritage and riverside scenery can use this walk as a point of reference.

Architecture and local history

More than forty capitelles have been recorded in Saint-Étienne-des-Sorts as evidence of rural life in the area. They are built entirely of dry stone, without any binding material or mortar. In other words, the stones are laid without anything to hold them together. In the hamlet of Jonquier, the village landscape includes features of an old bastide flanked by towers, dating back to the 14th century. The Saint-Roch Oratory is a classic Provençal oratory. It is the only one in the region to have a “banquet” and was restored in 2001. These examples point to different aspects of the area’s heritage: rural life, the bastide, and a Provençal oratory with a distinctive feature.

Wine and regional produce

At the Cellier des Mariniers tasting room, visitors can discover and taste the wines produced there. The winery specialises in the Côtes-du-Rhône and Côtes-du-Rhône Village Chusclan appellations. The tasting shop also offers a culinary connection to the region, with products such as Cartagène, olives, honey and beer. The specific selection of products may change. If a particular product is important to you, check the current selection before visiting.

Two ways to experience the Rhône

The Vallée du Rhône cycling loop offers a different perspective: in Saint-Étienne-des-Sorts, it passes two riverside stopping points. Unlike the “Le long du Rhône” walking trail, which passes the Site Saint-Pierre and then follows the banks of the Rhône, this route focuses on the two riverside stopping points. The two routes therefore offer distinct ways to experience the area: on foot, the viewpoint and riverbank; on the cycling loop, the two riverside stops.

Discover more destinations: Peyremale, Bouillargues, Vers-Pont-Du-Gard, Congénies, Saint-Paulet-De-Caisson, Serviers-Et-Labaume, Campestre-Et-Luc, Liouc.

For the main travel overview: Gard.