3 great ways to cool down in the Rhône Valley

When you're escaping the summer heat, you don't immediately think of taking refuge underground. Yet that's where temperatures remain coolest. After all, isn't good wine aged in cellars where thermal and hygrometric conditions are constant throughout the year?

In Ardèche, the winegrowers of the Côtes du Rhône Villages Saint Andéol appellation have long known that the underground environment is a privileged space, not only for wine, but also for finding coolness in summer. This is why they are offering visitors an unusual experience: alongside a speleologist guide, you can explore the undeveloped networks in the Madeleine cave, the jewel in the crown of the Ardèche Gorge, with its grandiose volumes, concretions and astonishing colors. 

The experience is more than just a visit off the beaten track: it also includes a surprising tasting of 3 wines of 3 different colors, one of which is aged underground, combined with 3 local products... all in complete darkness! An awakening of all the senses under the guidance of a specialist in oenology. Not to be missed! 

Practical info: €29 per person, minimum 6 people. Reservations required.
 

Its nickname is a testament to its aura: the “Giant of Provence” looms over the horizon and can be seen from a hundred kilometers away. At an altitude of 1912 metres, Mont Ventoux dominates the Rhône valley, the Provencal Baronnies and the Vaucluse plateau. Very windy, its summit is often more than 10°C cooler than in the valley. The ideal place to cool off in the middle of summer! We'd even advise you to bring along a windbreaker or wool jacket, as it can get downright chilly at the foot of the summit antenna, even in July and August. From up there, where tourists and sports enthusiasts flock (the ascent by bike is simply legendary), the panorama is exceptional, offering an almost aerial view of the entire region, including the Ventoux appellation vineyards. 

If you want to enjoy the coolness of the heights, we recommend descending further down to the Mont Serein station, where you'll be more sheltered from the mistral. The spot is ideal for families, with playgrounds for children (inflatable games, accrobranche...). 

Note: Mont Ventoux is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for its unspoilt natural environment. You can see birds of prey, deer, chamois, mouflons... and even wolves!
 

A summer without swimming is inconceivable for most of us. But you don't have to go to the seaside to enjoy the freshness of the water! The Côtes du Rhône region offers a wealth of seaside and water sports activities. 

Among them, the Wam Park Lyon Condrieu leisure park, located between Lyon and Valence, for a water-based session combining swimming and activities. The green setting is overlooked by the AOC Condrieu wine-growing hills. You'll appreciate the supervised swimming in summer and the sandy beach, as well as the wide range of activities on offer: mini-golf, tree climbing for the little ones, beach snack bar, water ski lift, floating inflatables, paddle and water jump. There's something for the whole family! 

Further south, on the left bank of the Gardon between the Pont du Gard and Uzès, the village of Collias offers the chance to enjoy the cool waters of the river. Our advice? Hire a canoe for the day, navigate the Gardon and stop off on a deserted bank to picnic and bask in the sun, not without taking a dip every now and then. A timeless experience in a listed, protected site!

Last but not least, the Les Salettes lake in Mormoiron offers a peaceful setting for a lazy day: its sandy beach lined with pine trees invites you to relax, especially as the swimming area is supervised in summer by lifeguards. So you can relax while the kids splash around! In the heart of an AOC Ventoux vineyard, the Salettes lake is also a multi-activity site: hiking, orienteering, mountain biking, accrobranche and fishing. The little extra we love: the lakeside restaurant with its pleasant shaded terrace and panoramic view.