Page 383 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - France

11 largely depend on how sweet
CÔTES DU RHONE a tooth you might have. The
Rising in the Swiss Alps Vals-les-Bains main curiosity of this market
and flowing into the ! E5 ⌂ Ardèche town is its medieval centre,
Mediterranean, the @ Montélimar n Rue Jean chock-full of shops selling
Rhône is the thread Jaurès;www.aubenas- almond-studded nougat.
linking the valley vine­ vals.com This splendid confection has
yards first planted by been made here since the
the Romans. Two­ This small spa town, with a beginning of the 17th century,
thirds of France’s wine hint of past elegance, is in when the almond tree was
has the Côtes du Rhône the Volane valley, which has first intro duced into France
label; this type of wine at least 150 springs, all but from Asia.
ages well. The best two of them cold. Containing The Château des Adhémar,
vineyards produce bicarbonate of soda and other a mélange of 12th-, 14th- and
Côtes du Rhône Cru. minerals, the water is said to 16th-century architecture,
Wines are named after aid digestive prob lems, surveys the town from the
individual vine yards rheumatism and diabetes. top of a high hill east of town.
such as Hermitage in Discovered around 1600, The countryside to the east
the north and, in the this is one of the few spas in of Montélimar is full of pictur-
south, Châteauneuf­ southern France to have been esque medieval villages that
du­Pape (p513). overlooked by the Romans. are linked by scenic routes.
The town reached the height La Bégude-de-Mazenc is a
of its popularity in the late thriving little holi day centre,
operators at Vallon-Pont-d’Arc 19th century, and still retains with its fortified Old Town
and other places rent canoes some thing of the belle perched on a hilltop. Further
and organ ize transport. époque. It makes a good base to the east is Le Poët Laval,
The softer side of the region for exploring the Ardèche. a tiny medieval village set in
is found in its ancient and pic- Some 8 km (5 miles) east the Alpine foothills.
turesque villages, gracious spa of Vals is the Roman esque Dieulefit is the capital of
towns, vineyards and plan- church of St-Julien du Serre. this beautiful region, and has
tations of Spanish chestnuts a number of small hotels and
(from which the delectable restaurants, as well as sports
marron glacé is produced). 12 facilities, including tennis,
Some 13 km (8 miles) south swimming and fishing.
of Aubenas, the 12th-century Montélimar To the south, the fortified
village of Balazuc is typical of ! F6 ⌂ Drôme £ @ village of Taulignan is known
the region. Its stone houses n Montée St-Martin, for its truffles.
perch on a clifftop above a allées Provençales; www.
gorge of the Ardèche. montelimar-tourisme.com Château des Adhémar
Neighbouring Vogüé is "' ⌂ 24 rue du Château
between the River Ardèche Whether you choose to make # 10am–6pm daily ¢ Public
and a limestone cliff. A tiny a detour to Montélimar will hols ∑ chateaux­ladrome.fr
but atmospheric village, its
most commanding sight is
the 12th-century Château
de Vogüé, once the seat of the
barons of Languedoc. Rebuilt
in the 17th century, it houses
a museum of the region.
Château de Vogüé
" ⌂ 2 impasse des
Marronniers # Jun–Sep:
10am–6pm daily; Oct–May:
10:30am–6pm Wed–Mon
¢ 1st week Jun
∑ chateaudevogue.net

A mural in Montélimar,
boldy publicizing the
town’s main attraction

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