Montelimar

The Château des Adhémar at Montélimar is one of the most important examples of medieval architecture in the mid-Rhone valley. It was built by the Adhémar of Monteil family on the top of a hill above the town which bears its name (Montélimar means the Little Hill of the Adhémars). Within the curtain wall there remains an 11th century chapel and a 12th century residence with outstanding decorative features.

Château des Adhémar
11-16th century historic monument
Tél. +33 4 75 00 62 30

Grignan

The Château de Grignan was built in the Middle Ages as an acropolis dominating the site and the village. 16 th century rebuilding transformed the edifice into one of the greatest Renaissance châteaux of South-East France and further building in the 17 th century into "one of the finest antiquities in France".

The presence of Madame de Sevigné and her daughter Madame de Grignan, the privileged place the château occupies in their correspondence and the influence of Comte François de Castellane Adhémar de Monteil, "Viceroy" of Provence from 1669 to 1714, all conspire to make this a key site in the history of the region.

Château de Grignan
12-17th century historic monument
Tél. +33 4 75 91 83 64 (réservations le matin)
Tél. +33 4 75 91 83 61 / Fax +33 4 75 91 83 51

Suze-La-Rousse

Owned by the Princes of Orange, this medieval fortress was partially transformed in the 16th century. In the Renaissance it acquired an arcaded courtyard in the Italian manner whose decoration is similar to that at Grignan and affords a superb contrast with the austere aspect of the exterior. The château has been honoured by the presence of a number of powerful figures belonging to the Baume-Suze family, who remained owners until 1958. The château is today the seat of the Université du Vin.

Château de Suze-La-Rousse
12-17th century historic monument
Tél. /Fax +33 4 75 04 81 44

Le Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval

The 'Palais Idéal': 93 000 hours, 10 000 days, 33 years of challenges. The work of one man, a peasant's dream. From Pablo Picasso to André Breton, many have recognised this singular act of creation. The 'Palais' is also nowadays a venue with three 'Jazz au Palais' evenings in late June, a Facteur Cheval night in mid- July and an event with light show at the 'Palais' in August.

Palais Idéal
1879 – 1912 Classé Monument Historique en 1969 par André Malraux.
Tél. +33 4 75 68 81 19
www.facteurcheval.com

Crest

At a height of 52 metres, the keep of the Tour de Crest is the highest in France and affords an exceptional panoramic view over the outposts of the Vercors, the Diois Préalpes, the Rhone Valley and the mountains of the Ardèche. Guided tours allow the visitor to discover this keep, square in plan which was successively château, fortress and prison.

Today the edifice is considered one of the finest examples of medieval architecture.

For added excitement abseil down the walls (by prior arrangement with Crest TO +33 4 75 25 11 38).

Tour de Crest
12-17th century
Tél. +33 4 75 25 32 53
www.mairie-crest.fr

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