Festiv'Ô Rhône

Festiv'Ô Rhône: celebrating the river and its living heritage

Festiv'Ô Rhône was born from a desire to reconnect the inhabitants of the Avant-Pays savoyard with their river, the Rhône, which has long been a major axis of life, trade, and culture in the region. Organized in Yenne, a classified small town of character, this free festival offers each September a rich program of activities around nature, water, and river heritage.

Yenne occupies a unique geographical position, at the foot of the Dent du Chat and on the banks of the Rhône, on the border between Savoie and Ain. It is in this preserved natural setting, where the river winds between the hills of the Avant-Pays, that the festival unfolds its activities and invites discovery.

A program focused on nature and the environment

The Festiv'Ô Rhône program is designed to raise awareness among all audiences about the ecological richness of the Rhône and its associated environments: riparian forests, wetlands, alluvial meadows. The proposed activities combine scientific discovery, gentle sports practices, and moments of conviviality:

• Guided nature walks along the banks of the Rhône, led by naturalists and heritage guides
• Canoe and boat trips to discover the river from the water
• Wildlife and flora workshops: bird watching, identification of riparian plants, discovery of Rhône fish
• Conferences and round tables on water management, river biodiversity, and environmental issues
• Local producers' market and tastings of local produce from the Avant-Pays savoyard

A festival for all ages

Festiv'Ô Rhône is a family and intergenerational event. Children benefit from specific workshops — discovery fishing, nature crafts, water games — while adults enjoy conferences, hikes, and tastings. Free admission facilitates access for everyone to this unifying event.

Yenne, a small town of character on the banks of the Rhône

Classified as a Petite Cité de Caractère (Small Town of Character), Yenne is a commune in the Avant-Pays savoyard that has preserved its architectural and natural heritage. Its medieval streets, old houses, bridge over the Rhône, and hillside vineyards make it a charming and authentic place, ideal for hosting a festival dedicated to river heritage and nature.