Romestang Avenue

This is the Romestang Avenue, one of Vienne’s main streets now bordered with restaurants and stores of all kinds. In medieval times, this avenue, already called Romestang, was outside the city walls, it’s name was indeed used for areas beyond the fortifications. It was annexed by the city when the ramparts were demolished in the 18th century. It became a popular promenade for Vienne’s inhabitants, who came to stroll in the shade of chestnut trees. Houses were built on both sides, and the promenade was transformed into an avenue, allowing cars to drive along. Though it was not part of the city, it is now well integrated as one of it’s main streets. Ideal for shopping and, above all, for the Saturday market, which spans over a large part of the city center. It’s the second-largest market in France ! You’ll find around 400 stallholders selling all kinds of food products, as well as clothes, handicrafts and many other items. This is your opportunity to discover local specialities, each more mouth-watering than the last. By the way, did you know that Vienne is a city very much associated with gastronomy? As far back as Roman times, recipes were written down in books, a custom that was adopted throughout the whole Empire and still used today. Among the region’s great specialities are “Rigotte de Condrieu”, a small goat milk cheese made from raw milk; pear brandy, produced in Villettes-de-Vienne, the famous “Bruneton” jams, elected best jam maker in France, and, of course, Condrieu, Côte-Rôtie and Vitis Vienna wines. In and around Vienne, you’ll find a large number of estates where you can taste these exceptional wines. In the meantime, let’s continue our tour of the historic center !