Page 228 - Lonely Planet France’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

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ALPS, JURA & RHÔNE VALLEY 20 RHôNE VALLEY

allegorical sculpted heads Lhote made his home esque Église de Ste-Foy,
adorning the facade of the here. Volcanologist- where concerts and
wonderful 16th- century cinematographer Haroun art exhibits are held in
Maison des Têtes (57 Tazieff later served as summertime and beauti-
Grande Rue). the town’s mayor, adding ful Rhône Valley views
to Mirmande’s cultural unfold year-round.
54 p229 cachet and earning it
The Drive » Cruise 28km recognition as one of les The Drive » Snake 12km
southeast on the D57 over Col
south along the N7, then wind plus beaux villages de la de la Grande Limite (515m)
5km through orchard-covered France (France’s prettiest into medieval Marsanne, then
hills on the D57 into Mirmande. villages). continue 17km southwest into
With a couple of Montélimar on the D105 and D6.
charming hotels, Mir-
4 Mirmande mande makes an inviting
Surrounded by pretty or- overnight stop. Activities 5 Montélimar
chard country, this hilltop include browsing for An obligatory stop for
gem of stone houses and treasures at Porte des sweet tooths, Montéli-
sleepy medieval streets Gaultiers (www.porte mar is famous for its
was once a major centre desgaultiers.fr), an artsy delectable nougat made
of silkworm production. boutique by the arched from almonds, lavender
It then became an artists’ 14th-century town gate, honey, pistachios, sugar,
colony in the 20th century, and wandering up to the egg white and vanilla. To
when cubist painter André 12th-century Roman-

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