Serves-Sur-Rhône: History and Views

A trip to Serves-Sur-Rhône can be planned around two interests: historical landmarks and the Belvédère du Puy de Serves, with its views and the La Mistrale hiking trail. If you are looking for a hotel in the area, this distinction can help you decide what to focus on during your stay. The historical themes range from the Roman predecessor of a tower to the history of the former harbor; the hiking trail, by contrast, offers a clearly defined time frame and a viewpoint as its destination.

Historical traces: tower, museum and harbor

The Château Delphinal de Serves bears the name “Castrum Cervia.” At the northern entrance to Serves-sur-Rhône, the Saint-Pierre Tower—also called the Chapelle Saint-Pierre—is still visible from National Route 7. Both names refer to the same tower. In the 11th century, it was rebuilt on the ruins of a Roman tower dating from the 4th century. This links two distinct building phases: the Roman predecessor and the medieval reconstruction. If you are interested in architectural history, you can understand the tower not only by its name but also by this sequence of events.

The Petit musée “Claude Boisse” of the Amis du Vieux Serves features various objects from the Roman period. This adds another kind of historical perspective to the architectural history: the collection focuses on objects, while the tower tells the story of a Roman predecessor and a later reconstruction. These are two distinct ways to explore the cultural side of a trip—material objects on the one hand, and the history of a building on the other.

The historic Port de Serves also offers a perspective of its own. Its history came to an end after around 18 centuries, when the Rhône’s riverbank embankment made it impossible for boats to dock. The harbor offers a glimpse into the former use of the riverbank and how it ended. If you would like to explore the town’s history from several perspectives, you can consider the harbor’s story alongside the tower and museum: it is about docking on the river, while the other themes focus on architectural history and Roman objects.

Viewpoint and hiking trail

The Belvédère du Puy de Serves offers views of the Rhône Valley, the Ardèche mountains and the Vercors. The four-hour “La Mistrale” hiking trail starts in Érôme, passes through forests and vineyards, and ends at the Belvédère. The starting point, route, destination and duration provide a clear framework for planning the hike. If you include the trail in your stay, you can allow for the four hours as a specific time commitment; check trail conditions before setting out. The viewpoint is also accessible by car, bicycle or on foot, and is open every day year-round. Check access conditions before you travel.

The views are both the destination of the La Mistrale and an attraction in their own right.

Discover more destinations: Beauregard-Baret, Réauville, Vesc, Barnave, Mornans, Chauvac-Laux-Montaux, Saint-Jean-En-Royans, Vaunaveys-La-Rochette

For the regional travel overview: Drôme.