ideas for outings and excursions

- IDEAS FOR
OUTINGS AND
EXCURSIONS
10 excursion ideas which allow you
to set off at the drop of a hat, and
take the high road and the low road
to explore the jewels of the area
and its history, discovering
the hidden landscape of the Drôme
on the way. Plan your itinerary by
consulting the detailed map of the
Drôme, available free from all tourist
offices and ‘Syndicats d’initiative’.
May the winds be in your favour!
80
THE VINEYARDS OF L'HERMITAGE AND THE
“BALCONS RHODANIENS” (107 KM) (1-2)
From the waters of the Rhône to Hermitage
wine
From balconies with commanding views over
the Rhône to the well-known Hermitage vineyards, this is a journey which you do not need to
water down your wine to enjoy.
An itinerary to taste and savour with no need for
moderation.
Visit Valence : see the old town :
the “Maison des Têtes”, the pendentive, the
cathedral, the Musée des Beaux Arts.
Valence Ville d’art et d’Histoire.
17, Grande Rue 26000 Valence
Tel. 00.33 (0)4.75.79.20.86
Organises guided tours the whole year round in
july and august also at night...
You’ll also find a permanent exposition about
Valence at the address above.
LA PLAINE DE VALENCE ET LES CONTREFORTS DU VERCORS (145 KM) 2 - 4
A l’assaut de la Citadelle.
Plein champ à travers champs, traversez la
plaine en direction du Vercors. A l’assaut du col
des Limouches, vous accédez aux premiers
contreforts du Vercors. Magnifique, ce panorama à 360° ! Prenez de la hauteur, la Drôme est si
belle vue d’en haut...
PARTS OF THE VERCORS (145 KM) (1-2-3-4)
Laying siege to the Citadel
Cross the open fields of the plain in the direction
of the Vercors. As you rise to conquer the Col
des Limouches you will reach the first defensive
ring of the Vercors. What a magnificent 360˚
panorama awaits you ! Make the most of the
commanding position, the Drôme looks so fine
from this height.
FROM ROMANS, SHOE CENTRE,
TO FACTEUR CHEVAL COUNTRY (80 KM) (1)
On those hills beyond
From medieval Romans to the abbey of SaintAntoine, a route of sacred sites will take you
through the hills, from one surprise to another…
until you reach the revelation of the Facteur
Cheval’s Ideal Palace, distinguished by Malraux
as a “pure masterpiece of naive art of worldwide importance”. Unforgettable. Visit Romans :
Musée international de la chaussure, Collégiale
St-Barnard, Tour Jacquemart, Calvaire des
Récollets and also factory stores of high-class
shoes, Marques Avenue... Guided tours through
the Tourist Office. Tel. 00.33 (0)4.75.02.28.72
THE PLAIN AROUND VALENCE AND THE RAM-
81
IDEAS FOR OUTINGS AND EXCURSIONS
82
DISCOVER THE ROYANS-VERCORS
(180 KM) (1-3)
(The inebriating high plateaux
From the
secret gorges of the Royans to the first
encounter with alpine pastures, penetrate the
citadel of the Vercors, a stationary vessel keeping watch on the horizon. Experience the lightheadedness of walking in the heart of a secret
garden provided by the wilderness of nature.
THE DIOIS AND THE UPPER BUECH VALLEY
(140 KM) (4)
Where the Drôme springs
More than a journey, rather a return to source
which will lead you from the charming vineyards of
Châtillon-en-Diois to the hidden valley from
whence the Drôme springs. A tonic journey! On
the way back, do not miss the “saut de la Drôme”.
THE VERCORS AND THE QUINT VALLEY
(140 KM) (3-4)
Valleys of wonder
From oak groves to fir forests, far from the
madding crowd, discover a haven of peace in the
many valleys nestling between the valley of the
Drôme and the cliffs of the Vercors. At the head
of the land of Quint, sit down and listen to the
silence : breathe in and live. Visit Die : St Marcel
gate, cathedral, walls, archaeological museum,
Purgnon tower, former Bishop's palace, protestant church (“temple”), Valcroissant abbey.
Guided tours provided by the Office de Tourisme.
Tel. 00.33 (0)4.75.22.03.03
`
THE HEART OF THE DRÔME (160 KM) (4-5)
At the heart of the Drôme
Start at Crest, from the renowned keep which
stands sentinel over the valley, and discover the
soul of a valley and its timeless villages.
Southern light and houses built of stone, craftsmen and women and farmers; a whole expanse
of territory lies waiting to greet you. Welcome it!
Take the time to stop and loose a little time. Visit
Crest: the Tour de Crest, highest keep in France,
the old town and the Cordeliers stairs.
Guided tours provided by the Office de
Tourisme. Tel. 00.33 (0)4.75.25.11.38
OLD VILLAGES, SAOU FOREST AND CRAFT
INDUSTRIES (130 KM) (4-5)
In search of arts and crafts
Head south! Head down to the Drôme of lavender, the accents of Provence and the art of good
living. From stage to stage, from halt to halt,
admire the skills of the craftsmen and women of
the Drôme and discover Dieulefit, a potterymaking centre. Feast your eyes.
THE CHATEAUX OF THE DROME,
ROMANESQUE PROVENCALE
ARCHITECTURE (95 KM) (5)
The castles and abbeys route
At the heart of the city of the Adhémars
(Montélimar), in the shade of the plane trees, idle
a while if the fancy takes you and follow the
castles and abbeys route. From Aiguebelle and
its renowned liqueurs to Bouchet, by way of the
château associated with Mme de Sévigné at
Grignan, journey back through time.
Visit Montelimar: Château des Adhémar, Diane
de Poitier's house, Sainte-Croix Collégiale,
Porte Saint Martin, temple (protestant church),
les Allées Provençales.
Office de Tourisme. Tel. 00.33 (0)4.75.01.00.20
LES BARONNIES - LAVENDER FIELDS AND
LANDSCAPES BATHED IN LIGHT (180 KM) (5)
The land of olives and lavender
The birthplace of Barjavel, the cradle of the olive
and the apricot, Nyons and the river Eygues are
synonymous with tranquility. There is an open
invitation to go further still, to see magical landscapes where stone competes with thyme and
‘farigoule’, with lavender fields and pine woods
which invite you to take a nap in their shade.
Continue your journey, the south of the Drôme
overflows with treasures waiting to be discovered. Visit Nyons: place des Arcades, old bridge
over the Eygues, castle and medieval keep, Tour
Randonne, Maison du Dauphin, quartier des
Forts, aromatic herb garden, olive oil mill,
Distillerie Bleu Provence, Vieux Moulins,
Brasserie artisanale du sud, aquatic park
Nyonsoleido, archaeological museum, musée
de l'olivier, Scourtinerie… Guided tours provided
by the Office de Tourisme
Tel. 00.33 (0)4.75.26.10.35
P
IN THE DRÔME...
TGV:
www.sncf.fr
Valence TGV station:
4 hrs 17 mins. from Brussels
3 hrs 30 mins. from Lille
2 hrs 12 mins. from Paris
Montélimar TGV station:
2 hrs 45 from Paris
Comité Départemental du Tourisme de la Drôme
8, rue Baudin - BP 531 - 26005 Valence cedex - F
Tel. : +33 (0)4 75 82 19 26 - Fax : +33 (0)4 75 56 01 65
E-mail : [email protected]
Conception réalisation : ALTEDIA PUBLIC www.impressions-modernes.fr
-- R E N D E Z - V O U S
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS:
LYON-ST EXUPERY - www.lyon.aeroport.fr
MARSEILLE-MARIGNANE www.marseille.aeroport.fr
GRENOBLE - ISERE
www.grenoble-airport.com
Crédit photos : CDT DROME - A. GRANGE - L. PASCALE - F. ISLER - V. VEDRENNE - L. GALLET - F. DA COSTA Y. LURAND - A. ROLLEZ - J. BRUNTON - P. GARDIN - A. MEJIA - C. DES BALMES - B. PARIS
ACCESS
ROADS:
A7 motorway, 8 exits
A49 motorway, 2 exits
N7, highway (Rhône Valley)
D538 (a means of crossing the Drôme
from north to south off the beaten track)