River landscapes, marked trails and traces of local history give Saint-Fortunat-Sur-Eyrieux several distinct themes for a getaway. The Eyrieux is an immediate part of the town’s character: Saint-Fortunat-Sur-Eyrieux lies on the river, and the Dolce Via passes through the town. This makes it possible to consider accommodation alongside the question of whether you would rather spend your time on a route, in nature or exploring historic sites.

By the Eyrieux and on the Dolce Via

In the Lower Eyrieux Valley, the Dolce Via reaches the village of Saint-Fortunat-Sur-Eyrieux. This section is about 6 km long and has a gentle downhill gradient. The route can be reached from the ViaRhôna on foot, by mountain bike, touring bike or on horseback. This connection therefore offers several described ways to incorporate the route into your travel plans.

Another cycling option is the Boucle VAE n°4: at the entrance to Saint-Fortunat-Sur-Eyrieux, this route leaves the Dolce Via and crosses the Eyrieux via a bridge. This gives it a different route from the Dolce Via, which passes through the town. If you want to compare routes, you can first decide whether cycling through the town or taking the described detour across the river better suits your plans for the day.

Hiking trails between the river and Col d’Aurelle

Saint-Fortunat-Sur-Eyrieux has 140 km of marked trails for hiking, stretching across 2,300 ha of unspoilt countryside. One specific route is the Circuit du Col d’Aurelle. It runs from the banks of the Eyrieux to the Col d’Aurelle, through a landscape of schist and sandstone. Chestnut trees, evergreen oaks and cade junipers are among the plants described there. The circular route also crosses the Natura 2000 site “Vallée de l’Eyrieux et ses affluents”.

The area around the hiking trails also tells a story of past land use: the trails pass through land that was once cultivated as vineyard terraces. This historic feature of the landscape adds a perspective on the area’s former cultivation to the natural features of the Circuit du Col d’Aurelle. For planning your day, both the landscape route and the wider choice of marked trails offer different points of reference.

Local history in the old town

A statue of Lieutenant General Rampon, Count of the Empire and veteran of the Napoleonic campaigns, stands in the old town centre. Another trace of the past is the silk mill beside the Temple: its development was part of the changes the town underwent in the 19th century. Both offer a reason to include the historic town centre in your plans, alongside the river and trails.

The former suspension bridge over the Eyrieux was located in the hamlet of Prahy-le-Pourchaire. It was classified as a historic monument on 7 May 1982. The bridge is therefore a distinct part of the town’s history; the date places its classification in context without equating it with the current route of the Dolce Via.

Plan for food and breaks

Hélix Eyrieux offers visits and tastings by prior arrangement. Be sure to arrange a visit in advance. A picnic area in the town provides another option for a break; briefly check its condition before visiting.

A past event also brought together hiking and local produce: the third edition of “Escapade Gourmande: de l’eau … à la bouche” on 22 July 2026 included an 8.5 km hike open to everyone and six food-and-drink stops at local producers. Drinks and Ardèche specialities were offered. This edition is an example of how physical activity and food can be combined, but it does not indicate a future event date.

Choose the right focus for your accommodation

When looking for a hotel in Saint-Fortunat-Sur-Eyrieux, your planned focus can help guide your choice: if hiking is a priority, the Circuit du Col d’Aurelle offers a clearly described route with distinctive landscape features. If you are considering different ways to get around or cycling routes, you can compare the information about the Dolce Via and the Boucle VAE n°4. Local history, the river and food offer other points of interest.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Saint-Didier-Sous-Aubenas, Saint-Sernin, Saint-Étienne-de-Serre, Tournon, Veyras, Mars, Gras, Davézieux.

Go to the main travel overview: Ardèche.