I'll be outside of Valence visiting friends in Montelier for 48 hours at the start of March. We'd like to stick close to home (no TGVing). Any suggestions for the sights in Valence or the area? We'll be coming from a week in Paris so we won't have a particular need for more churches or museums. But we're open to historical sights, charming towns to hang out in, good food, something quirky but interesting. We'll be there on my daughter's 14th birthday so I guess that should be a consideration but she's open to a lot.
Posted by
OP
Montpelier
71 posts
OK, I have one idea for myself: a chocolate factory in Valhrona.
Posted by
San Leandro, CA, USA
632 posts
Claire,
I first visited Valence in 1967. I fell in love with a very charming small university town with lots of historical nooks and cranies. First and foremost, the best restaurant in all of the world is there to be experienced: Maison Pic whose chef, Sophie Pic is the only 3 star female chef in all of the world (we had the pleasure of meeting her when we ate there in September 2000). To quote mikefrance1 of tripadvisor, "I was intrigued to read that Andy Hayler, who has eaten at all 68 3 star Michelin restaurants in the world, rates this one as joint best. I've eaten at half a dozen 3 star restos and many 1 and 2 star. This restaurant is head and shoulders above anything I've experienced."
After spending time in the town of Valence, I would suggest you get out and explore the Drome valley...I really enjoyed the town of Crest (and hiked to the top of the Tour de Crest).
The area is filled with history as it was on the major route from the French interior valleys all the way to the Alps
Posted by
Portland
3643 posts
I second the idea of a visit to Crest. The tower is quite interesting. One or two rooms have graffiti from men imprisoned there through the centuries. If you go to Tain l'Hermitage for the Valrhona chocolate factory, be sure to cross the bridge to Tournon, as well. Vienne has a very good Roman site and archaeological museum. Of course, there's always Lyon.