The assault of the villages
True markers of the landscape, here of hilltop villages to the charm grow on the hills asked in the middle of fertile plains. Since the area around Montélimar , to the south of the destination, passing by Dieulefit , Nyons and Buis-les-Baronnies , there are some 48 more or less well preserved. Erected in the eleventh and Twelfth centuries, they are appreciated for their medieval atmosphere, with their maze of steep streets, with their chapels and shady squares.
Classified as “Most beautiful villages of France”, Montbrun-les-Bains, La Garde Adhémar, le Poet-Laval and Grignan apply, of course, the detour, but other, more discreet witness of a story endearing. Thus, between Marsanne that the view from the ruined keep is an enchantment, and Sauzet , particularly lively, La Laupie be amazed by its perfect backdrop. Destroyed during the battle of Montelimar (12 km away) in 1944, this village is today a private property, restored by lovers of old stones that share with the visitors their calades lined with oleanders, broom and cypress rights as i.
read also : The most beautiful perched villages of the Côte d AzurDes castles monumentauxLe Grignan castle is the largest Renaissance chateau in the south of France. Adobe Stock/Boris Stroujko
in Addition to the perched villages, the Drôme provençale has four castles remarkable of which the most famous is undoubtedly that of Grignan, where séjournât and died the marquise de Sévigné, one of the épistolières the French more reticent. Biggest Renaissance château in the south of France, built on a rocky spur, it is here that in the Seventeenth century live Francis’adhémar, count of Grignan, and his wife, the daughter of the marquise. Inconsolable to find her daughter away to Paris, she started in 1671 a match river the pretext for a very nice Festival of the correspondence which carries each summer, the art of belles lettres (next edition in July 2021). Not to be missed, the view from the terrace of the castle.
self-guided Visit : 8 €, guided tour : 10 €, tour of the exterior : 2€. www.chateaux-ladrome.fr
The Baronnies country of cocagne2 000 plant species and 200 animal species thrive in the natural regional park of Baronnies, in particular the olive trees. L. Pascale – Drome Tourisme
at The forefront of the Provence, between Drôme and the Hautes-Alpes region, between the influences of alpine and provencal, the parc naturel régional des Baronnies is a veritable garden of eden, where live 2 000 species of plants and 203 species of animals protected. It is also a microterritoire full of flavors and scents to peck on the stalls of the markets, especially the olives and olive oils from Nyons.
Cultivated for more than 2,000 years in the region, the olive trees of the Baronies produce, each year, 350 to 400 tons of olives and from 300 to 400 tons of olive oil with an appellation of controlled origin. To learn all about this black pearl delicately wrinkled to enjoy it as is, in oil or tapenade, stop at Nyons , the capital of the olive and the most beautiful detour of France, which is home to a Museum of the Olive tree (guided visit : 2 €, on reservation. www.vignolis.fr). You can also rent an electric bike to travel the 90 km of the route of the olive tree.
A landscape that is redolent of the lavandeLa the lavender road leads from Montelimar to Nyons, along a different shades of purple. L. Pascale – Drome Tourisme
From mid-June to mid-August, the rolling hills of the Drôme provençale are adorned with a gradation of purple blue waving in the breeze. In the middle of this ocean of fragrant, emerging from the olive trees, truffle oaks, vines and ears of wheat gold. The remarkable landscapes to discover, nose to the wind, borrowing the the lavender Road that leads from Montelimar to Nyons, via the very beautiful sites of Dieulefit, Grignan and Valréas. Or, more to the south, in the Baronies of provence, between Nyons and Ferrassières , where the lavender fields are in bloom until mid-August.
the wire of The kilometers, you learn that it must not be confused with the lavender, original species that blooms between 500 and 1 500 meters of altitude, with the lavandin, a hybrid between true lavender and aspic lavender, a plant that is larger in performance-more important but of a lesser quality experience. You check out the work of the last distilleries, traditional and the many virtues of lavender, used since Ancient times to combat anxiety, nervousness and sleeplessness, and then, from the Nineteenth century, for its aroma.
To Nyons, the Distillery Bleu Provence , a family company, offers guided tours (5.50 € for adults, 4 € for those over 8 years old), workshops soap for children 6 to 12 years old and ice cream with lavender. www.distillerie-bleu-provence.com
go Back in time in the Enclave of the PapesLe belfry of Richerenches, an old templar commandery. Muriel Pellegrin
Exception mapping, the Enclave of the Popes is a piece of Vaucluse, set in the Drôme. A territory administratively in the Southern region, geographically in the Auvergne region Rhône-Alpes. A country-of-pocket composed of four municipalities – Cricket , Richerenches , Valréas , Visan – acquired by the popes of Avignon in the early Fourteenth century, and whose inhabitants, at the end of the Revolution, decide to remain attached to the Vaucluse.
To discover by walking the streets of Richerenches (follow the marked trail and the historical panels) the former templar commandery of 1136, by providing a stop at the barn of the knights templar whose first floor has been transformed into a museum of the knights Templar . By visiting at Valréas , the castle of Simiane , former home of Pauline, the little daughter of the Marchioness of Sévigné and the chapel of the White Penitents for the magnificence of its coffered ceiling to be painted. And strolling through the winding streets of Visan lined with mansions of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth centuries.
truffles and vinLa black truffle or Tuber Mélanosporum is considered as the “black diamond of French cuisine”. L. Pascale – Drome Tourisme
First region of France truffle, far ahead of the Périgord, the Drôme provençale offers to the Tuber Mélanosporum all the conditions to develop its aromas : mature trees as beautiful oak trees, a limestone soil just as it should be and a mediterranean-type climate. Aptly named the ” black diamond of French cuisine “, this species occurs from December to march on the local markets, of which the most important is Richerenches (Saturday morning from mid-November to mid-march).
If you don’t want to wait for the winter to cater for your needs, be aware that the Drôme provençale region also produces the Tuber Aestivum or truffle-summer, harvested from the months of may and until the end of August. Often eaten raw, butter with truffle, for example, its taste of hazelnut adapts to the perfection of a rosé wine from Grignan-les-Adhémar. Historic vineyard of the Rhone valley, the young AOC Grignan-les-Adhémar includes 25 individual wineries that deserve a visit and a tasting. In the summer most of these winemakers think of picnics in the countryside and other bars ephemeral in the vineyard and in the winter, workshops, demonstrations of digging and tasting.
for More information: www.grignan-adhemar-vin/instants-vins
see also: the Museum of truffles and wine in Richerenches ; the House of the truffle in Saint-Paul-les-Trois-Châteaux and the museum dedicated to viticulture from the University of Wine installed in the magnificent castle of Suze-la-Rousse (www.université-du-vin.com). Every year are held the meetings of the book, the truffle and wine Grignan and in the surrounding villages (at the end of January, beginning of February. www.tourisme-paysdegrignan.com)
practical Notebook
GO THERE
By car. Take the A7 and exit at Montelimar South (coming from north) or Bollène (from the south).
By train. By the TGV until Avignon or Valence. By train to Montélimar.
WHERE to stay
The Wood of the Ladies. The Wood of the Ladies/Photo press
Le Clair de la Plume , at Grignan. A beautiful family home with 16 rooms and suites spread over 4 sites in the historic village, a gourmet restaurant, a natural swimming pool. 295 € double room with garden view, 23 € the breakfast. www.clairplume.com/fr
The Wood of the ladies , a former farm, with lavender fields, of which the buildings are articulated around a large courtyard. 10 rooms, a swimming pool, a sauna area and relaxation can be privatized, a park and a petanque court complete the scene. From 95 to 145 € double room “charme”, breakfast included. Possibility of table d’hôtes upon reservation: 35 €/person. www.leboisdesdames.com
WHERE to EAT
Le Clair de la Plume , at Grignan. Version of gourmet (a macaroon in the Michelin guide). Menu confidence 4 chapters : 115 €.
The Farm Chapouton , at Grignan. Declination bistrot du Clair de la Plume, the Bib gourmand offers a menu 27,50 € (entry, dish or dish, dessert).
Absinthe , La Garde-Adhémar, a brew of country place on a postcard, which makes the white truffle in honor the been. Dish of the day : 16 €.
MORE INFORMATION
Check out the Internet site www.dromeprovencale.fr
The editorial team conseilleQuiz: how well do you know the volcanoes of the Auvergne?Auvergne : four hikes unknown in the Chain of PuysAlpes from the South: take three rides to get close to the peaks of wild MercantourSujetsAuvergne-Rhône-AlpesDrômeFrance1 commentaire3719028 profile (not moderate)the 16/06/2020 at 08:07
Bravo for the article, it makes you want … but put a picture of the white truffle to illustrate the black truffle makes a little mess …
Signed : a drômois
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