The best city hikes and walks around Nyons

One of those small art centers that you often find in the South of France.

Montélimar's market square exudes Provençal flair with its colorful cafés and small boutiques. Surrounded by historic houses dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, the town's long history is palpable. It's bustling with life, especially on market days with regional specialties like the famous nougat.

The Château des Adhémar in Montélimar is a stunning example of medieval architecture and a significant landmark in the Drôme region. Originally built in the 11th century by the Counts of Toulouse, it was expanded into a magnificent palace by the Adhémar family in the 12th century. Over the centuries, it has served as a fortress, citadel, and prison. Today, it is a publicly accessible monument historique and offers a fascinating insight into the region's history. Visitors can admire the well-preserved Romanesque architectural features and enjoy the breathtaking views from the battlements.

The Saint-Martin Gate in Montélimar is an impressive 14th-century relic that was once part of the city's fortifications. Its robust medieval architecture invites you to take a stroll through the old town. From here, you can explore charming alleyways and historic houses. The view of the gate and the old city walls offers particularly photo opportunities.

Montélimar's town hall impresses with its classical architecture and the charming townscape of this southern French town. It was built in the 19th century and served for a long time as the administrative center of the region. Visitors particularly appreciate the elegant facades and the small square in front of it for photos. Tours of the town hall offer insights into the town's history and cultural heritage.

The old town of Nyons, situated on the Eygues River in the Drôme Provençale, boasts a well-preserved medieval character. The historic center consists of narrow, arched alleyways (called calades), covered passageways, and half-timbered facades. Characteristic features include the 14th-century Pont Roman – a monumental stone bridge spanning 43 meters – and the Tour Randonne, a defensive tower later used as a bell tower. Nyons developed as a regional trading center and a strategic stronghold between the Dauphiné and Provence. The town had ramparts, parts of which are still visible, as well as city gates and bastions. Within the old center, you'll also find artisan fountains, the remains of monasteries and chapels, and several houses with Renaissance features. The town is not only architecturally valuable but also lively: with a weekly market, an olive oil mill, and numerous local specialty shops around the Place des Arcades. The combination of heritage, climate and regional products makes the old town of Nyons an attractive and authentic Provençal centre.

The Église Saint-André-de-Rosans is built on the remains of the Cluniac priory of Saint-André, founded in 988 after a donation to the Abbey of Cluny. Originally built in the 11th century and enlarged in the 12th century, it was a vast Romanesque church – one of the largest in the Baronnies Provençales.

The church furnishings are exceptionally rich for the Drôme region. It houses the mausoleum of the local heroine Philis de La Charce, the dauphinoise who took military leadership in the 17th century. The church also contains a magnificent carved wood altar from the former monastery of Saint-Cézaire, a statue of the Madonna above the main entrance, and a painting of the Nativity from the Italian school, attributed to Ribera; the replica of this is in the Louvre.