Ardèche and Drôme are the two southernmost departments of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-central France. They feature rolling hills and low mountain ranges, deep canyons, an almost Mediterranean climate and vegetation.
Cities edit
- 1 Privas — capital of Ardèche
- 2 Valence — capital of Drôme
- Alba-la-Romaine
- 3 Annonay
- 4 Aubenas
- 5 Die
- 6 Lagorce
- 7 Largentière
- Nyons
- 8 Orgnac l'Aven
- 9 Tournon-sur-Rhone
- 10 Uzer
- 11 Buis-les-Baronnies
- 12 Vallon Pont d'Arc in the Gorges de l'Ardèche
Other destinations edit
- 1 Gorges de l'Ardèche — 30-km-long canyons along the Ardèche river, cut deeply into the limestone plateau, paradise for canoeists
- 2 Vercors — massif of the Prealps at the north end of the Drôme.
Understand edit
Unlike the rest of the former Rhône-Alpes region, Ardèche and Drôme are usually considered to be part of Southern France, in terms of both climate and culture. A popular French rhyme goes: « c'est à Valence que le Midi commence » ("The South begins at Valence"). Especially in Drôme, lavender fields (that are commonly associated with Provence) are not an unusual sight.
Get in edit
By plane edit
The closest major airport is Lyon-Saint Exupéry (LYS IATA). There are direct TGV high-speed trains from the airport to Valence Ville (downtown station), taking 30 minutes.
By train edit
Valence is served by the TGV high-speed rail link Paris–Lyon–Marseille. Going from Paris to Valence takes 2 hr 10 min, from Lyon 35 minutes, from Marseille one hour. At Valence you may connect to regional trains.
By car edit
Ardèche and Drôme can be reached by car with motorway (autoroute) A7 from Lyon or Avignon and Marseille, which runs in north-south direction along the border shared by the two departments, passing Valence, Privas, Montélimar. Northern Drôme is also accessible via A 49 from Chambéry/Grenoble.
Get around edit
See edit
Do edit
- 1 Canyonning in the Haut Chassezac. The Haut Chassezac offer a beautiful canyon which is accessible for everyone to practice canyonning.
- Climbing. Wt Buis les Baronnies.
- Canoeing. On the Ardèche and Drôme rivers.
Eat edit
- Picodon — a cheese made in Drôme.
Drink edit
- Clairette de Die. A natural sparkling white wine made around Die village.
Sleep edit
Connect edit
Go next edit
Neighbouring departments and regions:
- Isère to the northeast
- Loire to the north
- Vaucluse to the south
- Gard to the south
- Lozère to the west
- Auvergne to the northwest