Valence, town of history and culture

Valence's ideal geographical situation makes it a perfect centre for touristic activities on both sides of the river rhône : the vivarais and the cévennes on the west bank and the royans region, the vercors and the drôme valley on the east bank.

Visit crussol castle & saint apollinaire's cathedral  Crussol Castle : IXth century medieval castle whose ruins overlook the Rhone Valley. The castle was partially destroyed in the 16th century during the religious wars.  Saint Apollinaire's Cathedral : built in the 11th century and dedicated to the virgin mother and Holy Martyrs Corneille and Cyprien, the cathedral was consecrated in 1095 by Pope Urbain II.

Visit the leaning tower of soyons & the saint john's  The leaning tower of Soyons : take a plunge into the past from the leaning tower of Soyons, as far back as prehistoric times and Antiquity as you visit archaeological excavations and the archaeological museum. Wander along the botanical trail with its lingering provençal fragrances until you come to the underground caves with their limestone formations and finally on to discover prehistoric scenes.  Saint John's Church : the bell tower dates back to the XIth and XIIth centuries. The porch was built in the XIth century.

Visit faugs castle  Faugs Castle : Once the home of the famous composer Vincent d'Indy. You are shown around by d'Indy's own descendants. The musician composed the Cevenole Symphony and was co-founder of the Scola Cantorum.  Saint Ruf's Temple : a Romanesque chapel whose interior was completely decorated in stucco under Louis XVth by the canons of Saint Ruf's, in the same style as Versailles.  Inside the temple, a monument containing the heart of General Championnet in a funeral urn can be seen. The general died in 1800

Visit the house with carved heads  The "MAISON DES TETES" (House with carved heads) :  Built around 1530 by Antoine de Dome, Consul of Valence, the house has a wonderfully sculptured façade in flamboyant gothic style and takes its name from the many carved heads representing the Winds, Fortune, Time and other Symbolic figures such as Theology, Law and Medicine. In the corridor, busts of Roman Emperors and it the courtyard, the Fathers of the Church.  Visite Grozon Castle:XIIth Century.

visit the "maison dupré latour"  Visit The "Maison Dupré Latour" : built around 1520, the house has a beautifully carved door along with other notable details.  Visit Château de Soubeyran : 19th century

What to see  The "Peynet Bandstand" : built in 1880, became famous when the artist Peynet, who was passing through Valence sketched a couple of young lovers close by it.  Our Lady of Etoile : nestled between the two hills which comprise the little village of Etoile is the church with a magnificent portal at the top of a large flight of steps

Visit the "pendentif"  The "Pendentif" : built in 1548 by Chanoine Nicolas Mistral as a sepulture for his family and himself.  Visite the Saint Gilles Cellar Museum "Ardèche in times go by"