The wines grown along the banks of the Rhone river have undergone many changes since the Middle Ages and the Côtes du Rhône vineyards now stand among the greatest French AOC regions. And the city of Avignon, capital of the Côtes du Rhône wines, quite naturally promotes these wines which are an inherent part of its culture.

The Wine Cellar at the Palace of the Popes, known as the “Bouteillerie”, has taken a resolutely educational approach to the Côtes du Rhône wines, offering the public a “guided” wine tasting of over forty wine choices selected by a committee of wine professionals and enthusiastic amateurs in a blind selection process.

The objective at the Bouteillerie is to help the visitors to the Palace of the Popes, who come from around the world, to learn more about the quality and diversity of the Côtes du Rhône wines, thus enabling them to be ambassadors upon their return to their home countries.

However, the Bouteillerie at the Palace of the Popes is by no means reserved for tourists ! Local Avignon residents find excellent wine choices, and can get advice and recommendations from the professional staff, thus continuing to discover Côtes du Rhône wines and making judicious choices. The Bouteillerie has been set up in the former Artillery Room at the back of the palace. Open since July 1999, it provides a very friendly, pleasant space where sommeliers are at your service 365 days a year.