Exploring the Ardeche...
The little town of Alba-la-Romaine, only 12 km away has something for everyone. There are Roman ruins, a medieval village and and castle to explore, weekend flea markets and craft markets full of surprising finds, an outdoor community swimming pool during July and August, a wine producers co-operative and even a little spa salon.
Travel a little deeper into the Ardeche to visit Aubenas and Vals-les-Bains for the day. The steep cobbled streets of the medieval town of Aubenas are fun to wander and the Sunday market is a feast for all the senses. Once you have tired yourself out here (or recovered with a salade ardechoise or crepe), go a few km down the road to Vals-les-Bains. This spa town lining the river Volane has a beautiful outdoor heated swimming pool open to the public during the summer months. And don't forget to buy some bottles of Vals mineral water - it has a uniquely refreshing flavour...
A visit to the Ardeche is incomplete without a pilgrimage to the Pont d'Arc. This immense natural stone bridge spans the Ardeche river gorge; get a birds-eye view from the road carved out out of the cliffside - or better still, swim or canoe down the river underneath it
Listed as one of the 'plus beaux' villages of France, is Balazuc, a 9th century maze of steep alleys and arches among which you'll find cafes, antiques sellers and craft shops. Towering over the Ardeche river, the village is reached by crossing a dramatic single track bridge. Across the river from the town you can find a beach and places to hire canoes.
Labeaume is one of our favourite destinations for a family day out. Deep down in the gorge of one of the Ardeche tributaries, amongst dramatic cliffs, it is one of the best places for river swimming - or even some fishing! Take a picnic, play boules and savour ice-creams at the cafe in the square, or browse the craft shops as you explore the medieval alleys. The summer music festival held in beautiful indoor and outdoor locations around the village is well worth saving an evening for.
Travel a little deeper into the Ardeche to visit Aubenas and Vals-les-Bains for the day. The steep cobbled streets of the medieval town of Aubenas are fun to wander and the Sunday market is a feast for all the senses. Once you have tired yourself out here (or recovered with a salade ardechoise or crepe), go a few km down the road to Vals-les-Bains. This spa town lining the river Volane has a beautiful outdoor heated swimming pool open to the public during the summer months. And don't forget to buy some bottles of Vals mineral water - it has a uniquely refreshing flavour...
A visit to the Ardeche is incomplete without a pilgrimage to the Pont d'Arc. This immense natural stone bridge spans the Ardeche river gorge; get a birds-eye view from the road carved out out of the cliffside - or better still, swim or canoe down the river underneath it
Listed as one of the 'plus beaux' villages of France, is Balazuc, a 9th century maze of steep alleys and arches among which you'll find cafes, antiques sellers and craft shops. Towering over the Ardeche river, the village is reached by crossing a dramatic single track bridge. Across the river from the town you can find a beach and places to hire canoes.
Labeaume is one of our favourite destinations for a family day out. Deep down in the gorge of one of the Ardeche tributaries, amongst dramatic cliffs, it is one of the best places for river swimming - or even some fishing! Take a picnic, play boules and savour ice-creams at the cafe in the square, or browse the craft shops as you explore the medieval alleys. The summer music festival held in beautiful indoor and outdoor locations around the village is well worth saving an evening for.
Discover the Drome...
Historic hilltop villages and castles, fruit orchards and olive plantations populate the lush rolling hills of the Drome, which stretch east into the foothills of the Alpes...
Le Poet-Laval, a fortified medieval village perched on a craggy hill, has been immaculately preserved - no cars, no modern architecture - and makes the most of its fascinating history. Both the Center of Art and Animation and the Museum of Protestantism are excellent and worth a visit. A little restaurant tucked under the arches serves the most delicious home-made desserts!
You will be moved by the inspiring history of the French Resistance detailed in the Museum of the Resistance inVassieux-en-Vercors. This town saw one of the great uprisings of the resistance at the end of WWII. Quelled by a Nazi counter-attack, 600 resistance fighters, including 72 of the town's inhabitants lost their lives here.
Meander south-east of Montelimar along scenic routes that pass fields of lavender and peach trees, olives trees and vines. En route discover Grignon, a walled town crowned by the splendid chateau of Mme Sevigne. An entire day can be spent here, touring the chateau and browsing antique and craft stores, or tasting the local appellation Tricastan.
La Garde-Adhemar, another charming medieval village, boasts an unusual 12th century church and romanesque chapel, 13th century ramparts, historic botanical gardens and panoramic views of the Rhone valley. Eat at one of the restaurants in the central square to soak up the atmosphere of this very special place.
Le Poet-Laval, a fortified medieval village perched on a craggy hill, has been immaculately preserved - no cars, no modern architecture - and makes the most of its fascinating history. Both the Center of Art and Animation and the Museum of Protestantism are excellent and worth a visit. A little restaurant tucked under the arches serves the most delicious home-made desserts!
You will be moved by the inspiring history of the French Resistance detailed in the Museum of the Resistance inVassieux-en-Vercors. This town saw one of the great uprisings of the resistance at the end of WWII. Quelled by a Nazi counter-attack, 600 resistance fighters, including 72 of the town's inhabitants lost their lives here.
Meander south-east of Montelimar along scenic routes that pass fields of lavender and peach trees, olives trees and vines. En route discover Grignon, a walled town crowned by the splendid chateau of Mme Sevigne. An entire day can be spent here, touring the chateau and browsing antique and craft stores, or tasting the local appellation Tricastan.
La Garde-Adhemar, another charming medieval village, boasts an unusual 12th century church and romanesque chapel, 13th century ramparts, historic botanical gardens and panoramic views of the Rhone valley. Eat at one of the restaurants in the central square to soak up the atmosphere of this very special place.
Into Provence...
Medieval walled cities, Roman architecture, famous vineyards and row upon row of lavender - these are just some of the things that draw millions of visitors to Provence....
Orange, only 30 minutes drive from the house, is a small town renowned for its extraordinarily well preserved Roman theatre. A day-time tour will give you an insight into its changing role through the ages, from roman propaganda to place of refuge during the religious wars. And if you are lucky enough to visit in July, we recommend booking tickets to its world-class opera festival for an experience you will never forget.
Avignon needs no introduction from us. A visit to this 14th century papal seat is a must - drive under the ramparts, wander the streets and squares, be awed by Notre Dame des Doms and the Papal Palace - and go dance on the bridge! Every July the city is transformed into a hundred stages as every space is used for the theatre festival.
While you can no longer walk freely along the top level, 160 ft above the river, the Pont du Gard remains a spectacular site to see. Once you've admired the 1st century engineering from the first level (a mere 72 ft above the river) and imagined the aqueduct carrying its 44 million gallons of water each day to the inhabitants of Nimes, you can picnic by and swim in the Gard river below.
Still hungry for stunningly preserved Roman architecture? The lively city of Arles has a 20,000-seat amphitheatre (in which you can still watch gladiator fighting!), a theatre, a cryptoporticus (half-subterranean passageways and galleries), Alyscamps (burial ground) and the remains of public baths. If you prefer to view your ancient artifacts in a modern setting, see the ultra-modern architecture of the Museum of Ancient Arles.
Orange, only 30 minutes drive from the house, is a small town renowned for its extraordinarily well preserved Roman theatre. A day-time tour will give you an insight into its changing role through the ages, from roman propaganda to place of refuge during the religious wars. And if you are lucky enough to visit in July, we recommend booking tickets to its world-class opera festival for an experience you will never forget.
Avignon needs no introduction from us. A visit to this 14th century papal seat is a must - drive under the ramparts, wander the streets and squares, be awed by Notre Dame des Doms and the Papal Palace - and go dance on the bridge! Every July the city is transformed into a hundred stages as every space is used for the theatre festival.
While you can no longer walk freely along the top level, 160 ft above the river, the Pont du Gard remains a spectacular site to see. Once you've admired the 1st century engineering from the first level (a mere 72 ft above the river) and imagined the aqueduct carrying its 44 million gallons of water each day to the inhabitants of Nimes, you can picnic by and swim in the Gard river below.
Still hungry for stunningly preserved Roman architecture? The lively city of Arles has a 20,000-seat amphitheatre (in which you can still watch gladiator fighting!), a theatre, a cryptoporticus (half-subterranean passageways and galleries), Alyscamps (burial ground) and the remains of public baths. If you prefer to view your ancient artifacts in a modern setting, see the ultra-modern architecture of the Museum of Ancient Arles.