A fresh culinary route places you at the heart of French gastronomy

Food enthusiasts can indulge in 459 (and growing!) unique culinary experiences along France’s newly established Vallée de la Gastronomie food trail. (No marathon necessary.) This is a dream road trip for food and wine lovers, with summer and autumn showcasing some of the trail’s finest offerings.

In France, food and wine are integral to cultural identity. The distinct terroirs, agricultural customs, and flavors from each region come together to form a culinary tapestry that is unmistakably French. This significance led to the recognition of the French gastronomic meal on Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2010, with the French baguette receiving its own designation last year.

Exquisite wine varieties, escargots drenched in butter, herbal aperitifs, an endless array of cheeses, exquisite pastries, zesty mustards, fragrant black truffles, and (of course) chewy, crusty baguettes: consider these just a taste of the many quintessential French delicacies found on this culinary route, which spans from Dijon through Lyon to Marseille.

Culinary pleasures, 459 options

Launched locally in 2020 and globally in 2022, the 459 curated activities along the Vallée de la Gastronomie are crafted for both gourmet experts and casual food lovers to create their ideal food-and-wine road trip. Travelers can book experiences as they wish: perhaps a meal or two at a Michelin-starred restaurant to complement an existing itinerary, or a specially designed journey with numerous stops along the 385-mile route. Activities include winery tours featuring grand cru tastings, dining at an all-chocolate restaurant, and extensive food tours in Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France, as well as unique experiences like Périgord truffle hunting, making your own mustard in Dijon, or crafting a bottle of your own vintage blend from local Côtes du Rhône, chardonnay, or Burgundy varietals.

Travelers can integrate as many elements from the trail into their schedules as they wish, exploring the Burgundy, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and Provence regions of eastern France at their leisure. While the main route follows the A7 highway, participating hosts for the Vallée de la Gastronomie are spread throughout the countryside, offering delicious detours and insights into the smaller communities and producers that create some of France’s finest food and wine.

Custom itineraries can be created on the Vallée de la Gastronomie website, where travelers can search and filter experiences, then reach out to participating hosts to make reservations. It’s a fully customizable journey into the unique aspects of French gastronomy. Many activities are accessible by car, bike, foot, and train as well.

New offerings introduced in 2023 feature a trip to a working goat farm to interact with the kids and explore goat milk and product production; charming picnics and semi-gourmet meals crafted from locally sourced ingredients; an ultimate cheese pairing experience; and tours with tastings at Château de la Chaize, one of the most stunning wine estates in Beaujolais, designed by the same architects and landscape designers as Château de Versailles.

The tastiest experiences of 2023

August and September provide delightfully sunny weather ideal for sensory experiences such as yoga, elegant picnics, or soothing massages amidst the fragrant lavender fields of Drôme Provençale at Domain L’Essentiel de Lavande. Summer is also an ideal time to test your “speleoenology” skills, combining caving and wine tasting, by exploring the cool, natural caves of Ardèche’s Grotte Saint-Marcel for an underground wine tasting in complete darkness.

Along the coast, an afternoon excursion with local fishermen from the sustainable fishing company Côte Fish takes you from land to sea for a refreshing journey across the Mediterranean, complete with a fresh-caught lunch onboard the boat.

From August to October, as summer gives way to autumn, Domaine Michelas Saint-Jemms presents a unique chance to fulfill a wine lover's fantasy by becoming a grape harvester for a day in a Northern Rhône Valley vineyard.

Accommodation options along the route

Your choice of accommodation while indulging in culinary adventures will vary based on your selected route. However, a few overnight options are officially recognized as part of the Vallée de la Gastronomie and offer unique experiences themselves.

In the Burgundy village of Charolles, Maison Doucet offers a special place to stay: the renovated childhood home of Chef Frédéric Doucet, located right above his Michelin-starred restaurant. Here, you can savor a tasting menu featuring the region's produce, including its renowned Charolais beef. Take a pre-dinner trip to the farm to trace your protein, and don’t miss the extensive cheese cart at Maison Doucet.

Why limit your visit to just a meal or a cooking class at the esteemed three-starred Maison Pic? Enjoy an overnight stay at The Pic House, which features stylish contemporary rooms, welcoming communal areas, and a peaceful garden courtyard with a pool. Alternatively, the Domaine Notre Dame de Cousignac in Ardèche offers a memorable stay at the family-owned winery, where you can enjoy organic meals, engaging conversations, stunning views, and plenty of wine.