Tourism in Northern Ardèche – What to Do Around Annonay
Find Annonay's calendar of events at the bottom of the page!
Tourist Sites and Charming Villages
Canson and Montgolfier Papermill Museum
In the birthplace of the Montgolfier brothers, the Canson and Montgolfier Papermill Museum brings the history of papermaking to life, from the 17th century to today.
Where? Davézieux
Price: €6.50 / adult; €5 / child (under 16)
Parchment and Leather Museum
Housed around Annonay's last remaining hide-drying loft, the Parchment and Leather Museum tells the story of hide-working, the trades associated with it, and the many uses of the finished product.
Where? Annonay
Price: €6 / adult; €5 / child (under 12)
Safari de Peaugres
Safari de Peaugres is the largest animal park in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, offering both a drive-through route and a walking trail.
Where? Peaugres
Price: €29.90 / adult; €25.50 / child
The Ideal Palace of Postman Cheval
Discover the extraordinary story of Postman Cheval and visit his palace, a strange and magical creation built entirely by hand over 33 years, from 1879 to 1912.
Where? Hauterives
Price: €10.50 / adult; €6.50 / child (under 16)
Distinctive Villages
- Annonay, the historic birthplace of the hot air balloon, with its medieval streets, lively squares and former industrial quarters
- Malleval, a village perched on a rocky hillside, surrounded by vineyards
- Lalouvesc and its basilica, a major pilgrimage site
- Tournon-sur-Rhône and Tain-l'Hermitage, offering medieval architecture, vineyards, walks along the Rhône and the Cité du Chocolat Valrhona
- Boucieu-le-Roi, a Village of Character
- Boulieu-lès-Annonay, a listed medieval town
Nature, Heritage, Local Flavours & Craftsmanship in a Preserved Region
Tasting Northern Rhône Valley Wines
From the steep slopes of Côte-Rôtie to the granite terraces of Hermitage, the northern Rhône Valley offers one of France's most beautiful wine journeys. Here, Syrah reigns supreme over the red wines, shaping exceptional appellations: Côte-Rôtie, Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage and Cornas. The whites hold their own too, carried by the enchanting Viognier of Condrieu and Château-Grillet, or the subtle blends of Marsanne and Roussanne in Saint-Péray and Hermitage.
Between visits to family-run cellars, tastings amid the terraced vineyards and encounters with passionate winemakers, let yourself be guided through these unique terroirs, shaped by centuries of winemaking tradition.
Annonay's farmers market
Every Saturday morning, Annonay's market and the surrounding markets invite you to meet local organic producers, offering aged goat cheeses, local honey, and freshly picked fruit and vegetables — a delicious immersion into the flavours of the region.
Our Foodie Workshops
"Enjoy a fun, creative and flavourful moment with our food workshops, designed for all lovers of cooking, baking and local produce, whatever their level.
We offer Cooking, Baking and Food & Wine Pairing workshops centred around local, seasonal produce.
Where? Stay & Cook, Annonay
Price: €50 / person
La fabrique de Julien
Discover La Fabrique du Julien, a Master Confectioner and Chocolatier, and enjoy a fun, sensory adventure — perfect for families, friends or solo visitors! Surprising décor, delightful worlds to explore, and plenty of discoveries about the world of sweets and chocolate.
Where? Bourg-Argental
Price: €7.50 / adult; €6 / child (under 12)
Jean Gauthier Distillery - Alembic Museum
Wander through meticulously designed exhibitions that transport you back in time, revealing the secrets, tools and traditions of the master distillers of old. Discover around fifty alembic stills and finish with a tasting.
Where? Saint-Désirat
Price: €3 / adult
Cité du Chocolat Valrhona
Embark on an immersive, multisensory and delicious experience all about chocolate!
Where? Tain-l'Hermitage
Price: €12 / adult; €9.50 / child (under 12)
Nature & Adventure
By hot air balloon
Take to the skies on a hot air balloon flight over Annonay. Enjoy your first-ever flight experience. Get ready for take-off and an unforgettable adventure, just a stone's throw from the clouds and less than an hour from Lyon, Saint-Étienne and Valence. A magical moment to admire the breathtaking panorama of the green, rolling landscapes around Annonay, the town where the invention of the hot air balloon was born!
On foot
Nestled between the Rhône Valley and the Ardèche mountains, on the doorstep of the Parc Naturel Régional du Pilat, Northern Ardèche is the perfect destination for travelers seeking nature, authenticity, and local discovery.
From our charming guesthouse in Annonay, a wide range of activities awaits: scenic walks, culinary experiences, cultural heritage, local crafts, and outdoor adventures.
👉 To learn more, visit Ardèche Grand Air or stop by the Annonay Tourist Office!
By bike
Northern Ardèche offers a diversity of landscapes—gentle hills, dense forests, rivers, and vineyards.
From Annonay, numerous hiking and cycling trails allow you to discover:
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The Pilat Regional Natural Park, with its panoramic ridges and hilltop villages
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The Gorges of Ay and Cance, perfect for nature lovers and peaceful walks
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The Via Fluvia and Via Rhôna cycling routes, accessible from nearby towns
🚲 We provide secure bike storage and can assist with local electric bike rentals to encourage soft mobility.
Annual Highlights
First Film Festival
For 11 days, this festival showcases young filmmakers from around the world through screenings of their first films.
In 2026, the festival featured 130 screenings, 82 feature films — including 47 first films and 24 previews.
Where? Théâtre des Cordeliers, Annonay (and other venues across Annonay)
When? Every February
Price: €7.50 per screening (10 tickets = €50; 40 tickets = €120)
J'Peux pas j'ai Montgolfière Festival
For 3 days, celebrate the invention of the hot air balloon with a wide range of activities: the Night Glow show (a sound-and-light hot air balloon display), a hot air balloon village, a funfair, concerts, and more.
Where? Parc de Déomas, Annonay
When? The first weekend of July, every year
Free admission
Les gourmandises d'Ardèche
A weekend dedicated to great taste and good company, with over 70 producers and artisans: cheeses, cured meats, wines, sweet treats, honey, jams, and more.
Where? Annonay
When? Early November, every year
Free admission
Mushrooms Market Festival
A 19th-century tradition brought back to life by chef Marcon, this fair attracts over 30,000 visitors every year.
On the programme: mushrooms, local produce, tastings and meals prepared by chef Marcon (3 Michelin stars) among others, a giant chestnut tart, wine and spirits tasting, mushroom soup, music, parades, and more.
Where? Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid
When? In November, the weekend following All Saints' Day, every year
Free admission
Les lumières sauvages de Peaugres
During the colder months, Safari de Peaugres offers a magical experience: a nighttime trail featuring over 2,000 handcrafted illuminated sculptures of animals and plants, made using an ancient Chinese tradition. Perfect for families, friends or solo visitors.
Where? Safari de Peaugres
When? Autumn and Winter
Price: Adult (from 11 years old): €23.90; Child (3 to 10 years old): €19.90