Ardèche and Drôme

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.

• 🌍 Privas — the capital of Ardèche has many local walks and other recreational activities; it is also noted for fossils.
• 🌍 Valence — capital of Drôme colourful markets and gardens, and its welcoming pedestrian streets make it the "door to Provence"
• 🌍 Alba-la-Romaine — the 16th-century Château of Alba is listed in the Inventory of Historic Monuments and is open to the public
• 🌍 Annonay
• 🌍 Aubenas sits at the crossroads of a regional natural park, the Ardèche river canyon, and the start of mountains
• 🌍 Die — a destination for summer camping and for winter sports at the Col du Rousset ski station
• 🌍 Lagorce — a medieval village with a living silkworm museum
• 🌍 Largentière has a 12th- to 15th-century château, and a 13th-century church
• 🌍 Orgnac l'Aven — has a cave that can be explored by tour
• 🌍 Tournon-sur-Rhone — has the oldest suspension bridge in France, and the Château de Tournon has a museum and commanding views over the Rhône
• 🌍 Uzer
• 🌍 Buis-les-Baronnies — a mountain village that provides hiking, climbing, and other outdoor sports opportunities
• 🌍 Vallon Pont d'Arc — the nearby cave of Pont d’Arc is a UNESCO World Heritage Site decorated by well-preserved prehistoric drawings of human figures and animals

• 🌍 Gorges de l'Ardèche — 30-km-long canyons along the Ardèche river, cut deeply into the limestone plateau, paradise for canoeists
• 🌍 Vercors — massif of the Prealps at the north end of the 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.

• Climbing: Buis-les-Baronnies.
• Canoeing on the Ardèche and Drôme rivers.

• Picodon — a cheese made in Drôme.

• Clairette de Die. A natural sparkling white wine made around Die village. 

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