guide
The Drôme Provençale charms visitors with its hilltop villages, history-steeped castles such as the one in Grignan, and the Enclave des Papes, an exceptional territory dating back to the 14th century. Between wine tastings, exploring the Baronnies Provençales Regional Nature Park and gourmet specialities such as Montélimar nougat, the region offers a stay rich in flavour and heritage.
The Provençal Drôme is part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes department. It’s a region distinguished by remarkable natural and historic wealth. Rising at the foot of Mont Ventoux, it will seduce you with its hilltop villages, its castles and the famous Papal enclave. It’s also a chance to cultivate your passion for wine and discover authentic gourmet flavours.
On holiday in the Provençal Drôme? Here are the places you absolutely must visit:
Strolling through the hilltop villages of the Provençal Drôme, such as Poët-Laval or Montbrun-les-Bains, you’ll be struck by this heritage, as rich as it is diverse. Also avoid driving there, as the streets are quite narrow. So take the time to go for a walk through these fortified towns and admire their typical façades. During your stay, you may even be able to attend the festivals and cultural events regularly organised to celebrate the history of these places.
Planning a stay in the Provençal Drôme means you simply must explore the region’s magnificent castles. We’ll mention Château de Grignan, once the home of a literary star, the Marquise de Sévigné. This Renaissance-era building offers a captivating view from its terraces. Also include the medieval castle of Suze-la-Rousse in your itinerary.
Having been acquired by the Drôme Department, this building now bears witness to a founding sector: winegrowing. Indeed, the University of Wine, which opened its doors in 1978, is a high-level institution attracting students wishing to build a career in the wine trade. Note that this institution enjoys an international reputation. Likewise, don’t miss Château de Montélimar. Built during the 12th century, it now hosts an art centre dedicated to contemporary art.
The Papal enclave is a geographical and administrative exception. It refers to the 4 territories acquired by the Popes of Avignon since the early 14th century. It’s made up of Valréas, Richerenches, Visan and Grillon. You can take a trail that leads you along the local roads to observe the boundaries of this unique area. Don’t miss the rich heritage, which includes the Museum of Cardboard-Making, the castle of Simiane and the many chapels with their distinctive architecture.
If you’d like to explore an extremely rich natural area, head to the Baronnies Provençales park. It’s home to more than 200 animal species as well as more than 2,000 plant varieties. During your visit, stop at the Olive Tree Museum, a tribute to this iconic tree of the region. You can reach the park from Vaison-la-Romaine, Sisteron, Montélimar or even Grignan.
Plenty of interesting activities are available to you. You can start off with a wine tasting at the region’s many active vineyards. The wine tourism routes will guide you to the most famous cellars and tasting rooms of the Provençal Drôme, such as Domaine des Gravennes. The Provençal Drôme is also a culinary journey that will notably introduce you to the must-try nougat de Montélimar, the black olives of Nyons and the famous black truffle.
If you’re looking for quality accommodation, the eco-friendly campsites promise you an authentic experience at the heart of nature. Indeed, there are many nature campsites in the Drôme offering a range of accommodation options.
A territory made up of four towns (Valréas, Richerenches, Visan, Grillon) acquired by the popes of Avignon in the early 14th century, a geographical and administrative exception.
This medieval castle is home to the University of Wine, opened in 1978 and internationally recognised for its training in winemaking professions.
Montélimar nougat, to be discovered in the Drôme Provençale alongside Nyons black olives and black truffle.
The park is home to more than 200 animal species and over 2,000 plant varieties, accessible in particular from Vaison-la-Romaine or Montélimar.
