Arras-sur-Rhône can be explored through several distinct themes: historic buildings in the town center, the remains of the Tours d’Arras, and routes through the Rhône landscape. When planning your trip, it is interesting to see how local history, the river landscape and winegrowing each present themselves in different ways.
Mill, Bridge and Local History
The mill in the center of Arras-sur-Rhône was converted into a residence. It has a six-meter-diameter iron waterwheel. The Vieux Pont is next to the mill; its stone arch spans the Ozon stream. Here, you can encounter two different types of structures built over water in one place: the mill building and the bridge. The Vieux Pont was built around the middle of the first millennium. Another historical perspective takes you back to antiquity: Arras-sur-Rhône was a Roman station on the “Aratica” road, which connected Alba with Vienne.
The Tours d’Arras and Their History
The Tours d’Arras are the remains of the castle of Arras-sur-Rhône. During the feudal era, the castle was divided between two co-lords: the Tour Blanche, also called Soubise, and the Tour Brune, also called Jovyac. The names refer to two lordships within the history of the same castle, not to two different castles. Today, the Tour Blanche remains; it is 28 meters high. Together, the two tower names and the surviving tower’s height provide specific clues for understanding the castle remains.
Hiking and the Rhône Landscape
The hike to the Tour d’Arras passes through woodland, follows the riverbank, and winds through apricot orchards and vineyards, offering panoramic views of the Rhône. From the plateau along this hike, you can see the river’s meanders, the valley, the hydroelectric power station and the Drôme on the opposite bank. In clear weather, the Vercors can sometimes also be seen to the south. The view thus takes in both the river landscape and more distant features.
The Barrage d’Arras weir spans the Rhône’s natural right-hand channel between Arras-sur-Rhône and Serves-sur-Rhône. Another option for planning your trip is the ViaRhôna section from Saint-Rambert-d’Albon to Arras-sur-Rhône: it runs along the Rhône and its meanders, has no uphill sections, and can be explored on foot, by bicycle or on roller skates. The two routes therefore offer different things: the hike to the Tour d’Arras is described in terms of its landscape and views, while the ViaRhôna section is described by its modes of travel and level route. Before planning, check the current access and surface conditions of the ViaRhôna section.
Vineyards and Visits
Winegrowing is evident both in the landscape along the hike and at Cave Pascal Jamet in Arras-sur-Rhône. Visits to the wine cellar and vineyards are possible there; arrange the details of your visit in advance. A vineyard landscape along the way and a planned visit offer different ways to include this theme in your trip.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Clément, Mezilhac, Mauves, Ruoms, Rompon, Rochessauve, Le Cheylard, Le Crestet.
Return to the main travel overview: Ardèche.
