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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.

Natural gate Pont d'Arc on Ardèche river, landmark of the eponymous department

Cities[edit]

Map
Map of Ardèche and Drôme

Other destinations[edit]

  • 1 Gorges de l'Ardèche Gorges de l'Ardèche on Wikipedia — 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]

Lavender field in the Baronnies region of Drôme

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]

Bell tower of the church of Laurac-en-Vivarais, which is covered with glazed tiles

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:



This region travel guide to Ardèche and Drôme is an outline and may need more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. If there are Cities and Other destinations listed, they may not all be at usable status or there may not be a valid regional structure and a "Get in" section describing all of the typical ways to get here. Please plunge forward and help it grow!