Belvedere Wine-Growing Hillsides of Condrieu | 2024

At the gateway to the Pilat Regional Natural Park, the village of Tupin-et-Semons boasts a remarkable geographical location that shapes its identity.

It is known for its terraced vineyards with prestigious appellations like Condrieu and Côte-Rôtie. More broadly, it offers a spectacular panorama on the Rhône, the market garden plains, and beyond, the Alps chain from the Mont Blanc to the Vercors.

Naturally, Vienne Condrieu Agglomération chose Tupin-et-Semons for its first belvedere in a future network as part of its new tourism plan.

The creation of the belvedere reflects a strong desire to create a high-value cultural and tourism offering.

It aims to be an iconic, attractive, and event-driven work.

INTEGRATION
The hamlet is characterized by its heritage and landscape identity, especially through its urban front: the belvedere path, the church, and the old rectory overlooking the vineyards.

To preserve this strong identity, rather than envisioning an isolated architectural object, we proposed an integrated approach, stitched with the existing landscape and supported by its surroundings. The idea is to create a connection between the built and the natural heritage.

The belvedere is designed as a line within the landscape, subtly emphasizing the village’s iconic silhouette without altering its shape.

It is integrated in the hillside and backed by the existing retaining wall. It is intended to be an iconic and dizzying experience, and yet the structure is meant to be delicately integrated into its environment.

UNIQUE WALK
The project is much more than just a belvedere; it’s a real promenade through the site, inspired by the soft curves shaping the hills.

When arriving on foot from the main path in the south, a warm and inviting wooden ribbon guides the visitors in the right direction.

The first dynamic sequence along the village’s mineral foundation offers a first open view on the Rhône.

Following the ribbon, visitors leave the open view to enter the belvedere garden: an immersive vegetative space, where scents and colours echo the vineyards. This green passage leads to a more intimate area near the church, which is perfect for a break.

This immersion creates a more spectacular effect, preserving the magic until the garden’s edge, where visitors are literally “projected” into the panoramic view.

In an aerial structural movement, the belvedere breaks free from the foundation, creating an incredible “step into the void” sensation. Visitors find themselves suspended between the village and the landscape, floating above the vineyards.

The ribbon then leads visitors to the square by the church, an authentic gathering place.

CONCLUSION
This project’s contemporary architectural strength does not detract from its integration into the region.

Since an architectural object only makes sense when it serves users and usages, we focused on designing an intervention that, with a single line and a single gesture:
Creates a unique landscape promenade
Offers a spectacular experience
Preserves and highlights the village’s silhouette
Provides a versatile structure suited to various uses
Manages circulation (including for PMR) on a village scale
Weaves a connection between the heritage, the region, and its contemporary ongoing history.

Category:Public SpaceLocation:FranceArchitect: Julien Giammarchi, FranceArchitecture Office:Collection ArchitectesLead Architects:Julien GiammarchiLandscape Architects:Atelier Lionel DouardContractor:Pyramid,Rivory,Pyrénées Charpentes, Blanchet, Buffin TP,Jardin ServiceClient: Vienne Condrieu AgglomérationStructural engineer:Arborescence & KaénaPhotographer: Sophie Rodriguez