Tourist attractions Valence

Situated on the Crussol mountainside, the ruins of the villette (small town) were a refuge for plain dwellers in times of trouble. Access to the castle dominating the Rhône from a height of 230m is along the side of the fortifications. It offers a re..

Ruins are all that remain of this château built in the 12C and destroyed in the 17C. A path leads up to the castle (1hr there and back). From the lookout point of the keep, the view over the Valence plain, the Bourg-lès-Valence dam and the confluence..

Valence is the starting point of a magnificent scenic route. The D 287 will first take you past the striking site of the Château de Crussol and then on to St-Romain-de-Lerps. Here, two observation points command a splendid panorama of the entire Rhôn..

Two viewing tables have been set up on either side of a chapel, commanding a grandiose, sweeping view which covers no less than 13 departments. To the east, the eye is drawn to the Vercors, with, beyond, the sparkling summits of the Alps and Mont Bla..

After admiring the unspoilt setting of the ruined Château de la Tourette, which once marked the gateway to the States of Languedoc, leave Vernoux and head for Boffres . Built on an outcrop, this village dominates a rural landscape of chestnut gr..

The ruins of this medieval castle stand on the magnificent site of a rocky platform with a stunning view of the Rhône, the Trois-Becs, the Vercors, the Baronnies and the Ventoux. Opposite, the jagged ridge of the Croix de Bauzon overlooks the Haut Ey..

Why in Valence of all places? The Armenian Heritage Centre, set up in the former law faculty close to Little Armenia, will give you all the answers. The filmed stories of genocide, exile and arrival in Valence, as related by men, women and children, ..

The Soyons caves form a key site for the study of Neanderthal man. Follow the botanic trail leading to the caves and discover the important network of underground galleries starting from the Trou du Renard (the Fox Hole) and leading to several chambe..

The most interesting aspect of this museum (closed until 2012), housed in the former bishops’ palace, is the series of 97 red chalk drawings and paintings by Hubert Robert representing views of Rome and the Roman countryside. The contemporary art..

A small funeral monument of regular proportions built in 1548 imitating the antique. Notice the curious spear-shaped motif which surmounts the bottom angled pillars.

Built in 1880 in the middle of the Military esplanade to immortalise the artist Raymond Peynet whose famous lovers liked to frequent the surroundings.

Enormous Romanesque building, rebuilt in 17C in its original style. Inside, the Romanesque Auvergne influence is obvious; observe the depth of the transept's crosspieces, unusual in Rhone buildings.

A vast terraced esplanade looking over the Jouvet Park and the Rhone River. From the belvedere, a beautiful view of the Crussol mountains, either at sunrise or sunset.

Four huge indoor haut-relief heads symbolising the winds give name to this Renaissance dwelling. It is well worth spending a few minutes to observe the details of the profusely and originally sculptured facade!

The inside courtyard of this residence has kept a Renaissance turret staircase. The sculptured frame of the front door is magnificent.

Who has not heard about the famous Valence ravioli? It is here where they are prepared, home-made, delicately perfumed with basil and what's more, they are not expensive!

Notice the well-kept Romanesque columns on the portico of this church rebuilt in the 19C.

Soyons' Archaeological Museum presents the finds uncovered during archaeological excavations carried out on the surrounding hills (protected area covering 30ha). The ground floor houses a collection of Gallo-Roman remains including a fine altar. The ..