Charnas is an appealing destination for travellers who want to combine hiking, wine and sacred art. Two hiking trails showcase different landscapes; Domaine Finon, the annual wine festival and the church windows add to the local attractions.
Hiking routes through different landscapes
The Le Montrond route runs from Limony to Charnas through the Montrond Valley and offers views of the Pilat ridges. The Le Pont de la Pierre hiking route passes through several orchards in the Ardèche foothills. Valley and ridges on one route, orchards on the other: the trails appeal to different landscape interests.
Their connections to the area also differ: Le Montrond runs from Limony to Charnas, while Le Pont de la Pierre starts in Charnas at a car park with an “info rando” information board. If you choose based on the scenery, the first route focuses on the valley and views of the Pilat, while the second highlights the orchards in the foothills. Check local conditions before setting out on Le Pont de la Pierre.
Wine at the winery and the wine festival
Domaine Finon has been a winery in Charnas since the 19th century. It produces red and white Saint-Joseph wines as well as Condrieu. Visitors can taste wines directly at the winery; tastings for groups and school groups are also available. The winery thus combines a long local history with a clearly defined wine range and an on-site tasting opportunity. For wine enthusiasts, it’s a specific reason to discover Charnas beyond its hiking trails.
The Charnas wine festival offers another way to discover wine. It showcases numerous local producers and provides an opportunity to discover and taste wines and regional products. The festival takes place annually, but the participating producers may change from one edition to the next. If a particular producer matters to you, check before your trip whether they will be taking part in that year’s festival. Unlike a visit to a single winery, the festival brings several producers and regional products as well as wine into focus. This lets you weigh up a tasting visit to Domaine Finon against a festival with changing participants.
Stained glass as a cultural theme
Charnas church complements its hiking and wine attractions with sacred art. Its stained-glass windows were created with paintings by the renowned stained-glass artist Charles Champigneulle of Bar-le-Duc and depict scenes from the lives of saints. The artist and the subjects provide two specific points of interest: Charles Champigneulle is identified as a stained-glass artist, while the scenes of saints give the windows their religious theme. For culture enthusiasts, they offer a distinct perspective on local visual art, whether or not hiking or wine is the main focus of the trip.
Find a holiday rental to suit your interests
When looking for a holiday rental in Charnas, it helps to first decide what brings you to the area. The routes differ in their landscapes and connections to the area; Domaine Finon and the wine festival offer different wine experiences, while the stained-glass windows provide a cultural theme. This way, you can choose your destination based on the interests you want to shape your stay.
Discover more destinations: Thueyts, Villeneuve-De-Berg, Saint-Maurice-En-Chalencon, Barnas, Vaudevant, Labeaume, St. Andeol-De-Vals, Veyras
For the broader travel guide: Ardèche.
