Mauves: Wine-growing history and walking trails

If you’re looking for a hotel in Mauves, wine-growing history, bodies of water and walking trails may influence your choice of destination. You can get to know the area through several themes: the Saint-Joseph wine tradition, Lac des Pierrelles and trails through the vineyards. Consider whether you’d rather focus your stay on the historical connections to wine-growing, a walk by the water or a hike through the wine-growing landscape.

Wine-growing and the history of Mauves

Victor Hugo mentions the wine of Mauves, now called Saint-Joseph, in “Les Misérables.” The history of wine-growing goes back a long way: the Gauls, Helvii and Allobroges built dry-stone terraces on the slopes of the Mauves terroir. In doing so, they traded with merchants from the Phocaean Greek colony of Marseille. The terraces, known as “chalets,” were used to grow grapevines and olive trees.

These connections bring together wine, trade and the use of the slopes. This offers a different perspective on Mauves than the trails by the water or through the vineyards. If you’re interested in cultural history, you’ll find both a literary reference to wine and the older history of terraced cultivation here. The name Saint-Joseph today is part of the wine reference in Hugo’s work; the terraces, in turn, point to the cultivation of grapevines and olive trees.

At Lac des Pierrelles and the Rhône

The Lône de Pierrelles is a former branch of the Rhône and is classified as an “Espace Naturel Sensible” (Sensitive Natural Area). Lac des Pierrelles, by contrast, is an artificial lake. During high water, it connects with the Rhône’s counter-channel. The two names therefore refer to different aspects of the waterscape: the former Rhône branch on the one hand, and the artificial lake with its high-water connection on the other.

Lac des Pierrelles has a circumference of about four kilometres and is suitable for walking. The path around the lake can be used at any time of year; it is flat and suitable for people with reduced mobility. This information can help you decide whether the walk suits your needs: the circumference is approximate, while the path’s surface and suitability are specified.

Night-time carp fishing is permitted at Lac des Pierrelles from 1 June to 31 December. If you’re planning to take advantage of this seasonal opportunity, confirm the rules before travelling.

Hikes through the Saint-Joseph vineyards

“La voie panoramique” runs through the Saint-Joseph wine-growing region, with views of the village of Mauves and the Rhône Valley. It is an easy hike and is accessible to mountain bikers at a very easy level. The wine-growing region, the views and the difficulty rating are all features you can use to decide whether this route suits your interests.

Another option is “Détours en vignes: Saint Joseph,” a hiking route through the vineyards. If views of Mauves and the Rhône Valley matter to you, “La voie panoramique” is the route that offers them. If you’re mainly looking for a path through vineyards, you can also consider “Détours en vignes: Saint Joseph.” Both routes showcase the wine-growing landscape, while the first also offers views and is classified as an easy hike.

If you’re choosing between a lakeside walk and a vineyard hike, each offers a different focus: at the lake, the main features are its approximate circumference, the flat path and the seasonal opportunity for night-time carp fishing. The hikes take you through vineyards; “La voie panoramique” adds views of the village and the Rhône Valley. This lets you choose Mauves based on the landscape and cultural themes that matter to you during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Lentillères, Le Pouzin, Dornas, Mars, Malbosc, St. Andeol-De-Vals, Saint-Just, Saint-Jean-Roure

Go to the regional travel overview: Ardèche.