In the small village of Hauterives, at the heart of the Drôme hills, one monument has been talked about around the world for over a century. It is here, within a lush garden, that Ferdinand Cheval, known as the Postman Cheval due to his job, built one of the most incredible works of art ever. This masterpiece of outsider art, built by just one man, was listed as a Historic Monument in 1969 by André Malraux as part of the naïve art movement. Even today, the Postman Cheval's Ideal Palace, which is admired by Surrealists like André Breton and Max Ernst, continues to inspire many artists.

Ferdinand Cheval began to build his palace in 1879 using stones he gathered on his rounds. He mainly found inspiration in books he read, nature and the postcards he delivered. The building has carvings of various monuments, mythological figures and animals of the world. Hindu temple, Egyptian tomb, medieval castle, mosque, Swiss chalet, tower of Barbary... Such are the creations that make up the palace. The walls are adorned with quotes and poems, one of which inspired the name of this exceptional work of art. In 1912, the Postman Cheval's Ideal Palace was finally completed, after 33 years' hard work!

Inaugurated in 2014, the museum adjoining the Ideal Palace documents the life and inspirations of this unusual character.

To complement your visit, another sight to see is the Postman Cheval's tomb at the municipal cemetery, which Ferdinand Cheval, at the age of 78, took 8 years to build and called "the tomb of silence and endless rest".

The Albon Tower, located in the north of the department of Drôme, is a remnant of the Castle of the Counts of Albon. Erected in the 13th century on a territory that was to become the Dauphiné, the castle fort helped to consolidate the counts' power. Indeed, its elevated position gave them a clear view over the valley. A certain advantage when dealing with their enemies, especially the Counts of Savoy.

Perched on a mound of earth at 336 metres in altitude, the medieval tower offers a splendid view of the Rhône Valley and the Drôme hills!

In the 90s, archaeologists unearthed a number of remains relating to the castle. The ruins of a chapel, a palatial building and the communal areas were discovered in particular.

At the foot of the Albon Tower, explanation signs detail the history of the castle and the medieval period. A historical attraction in a peaceful and stunning setting...

Famed for its prestigious wines, the Rhône Valley is home to some renowned vineyards. Like the Hermitage vineyard to the north of Valence, in the department of Drôme, which produces northern Côtes du Rhône grands crus. A listed site with its famous terraced hillsides, the Colline de l'Hermitage reveals some magnificent vineyard landscapes overlooking the Rhône.

Appreciated by wine-lovers, the Hermitage vineyard spans the territories of Tain-l'Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Larnage, with a surface area of around 140 hectares. Awarded the Crozes-Hermitage appellation, the vineyard produces red wine from Syrah grapes,with a powerful and fruity character, as well as white wine from the Marsanne and Roussanne varieties, characterised by its suppleness and floral quality.

In Tain-l'Hermitage, the Cave de Tain cellar offers guided tours of its production room, so you can learn about its history along with its vinification and élevage techniques. And to find out more about the vineyard, follow the discovery trail among the vines. Thanks to the explanation signs, you will become an expert in the various grape varieties and specific characteristics that have made this vineyard world-famous!

Bordering the Rhône, opposite the Tain-l'Hermitage vineyards, stands the welcoming little town of Tournon-sur-Rhône, overlooked by the outline of the imposing 10th, 15th and 16th century Castle. You can admire this harmonious scene in peace from the Marc Seguin footbridge...

Once you have passed through the fine, nail-studded wooden door of the castle-museum, a former dwelling of the Lords of Tournon and now listed as an Historic Monument, you are able to explore its furnished rooms and important collections, which date from the Middle Ages to modern times. As well as tracing the history of the Counts of Tournon, the museum also concentrates on the arts and traditions of 19th and 20th-century Ardèche.

Those who like to walk will enjoy the opportunity to stroll in the garden of Eden, a verdant setting in a haven of peace, in the old town fortifications.

Nestling at the foot of the Vercors in Drôme, Romans-sur-Isère is an ancient medieval town. It all begain in 837 when the Archbishop of Vienne, Barnard, founded a church on the banks of the Isère. Then it became a collegiate church when the canons arrived in the 10th century. The town gradually developed around it and became the beating heart of Romans-sur-Isère. A mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles, the building reflects a remarkable architectural heritage. Inside the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament, the embroidered wall hanging of the Mystery of the Passion is a true gem! Dating from the 16th century, it depicts the Passion of Christ in nine embroideries. The collegiate church's choir, meanwhile, reveals some beautiful murals from the 14th century.

At the end of the 19th century, Romans-sur-Isère enjoyed fast economic growth thanks to the expansion of the footwear industry. Based in the former convent of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary since 1971, the International Shoe Museum has a unique collection. It tells 4,000 years of footwear history all around the world! The Italian-style gardens around the museum are a great place for visitors to admire the building's very well-preserved architecture.

Then explore the picturesque side streets of the historic centre, like Rue des Clercs, a typical street with its cobblestones and old houses. There are also the shopping streets around the Côte des Cordeliers. On the walk, you will be able to admire some beautiful medieval houses as well as some elegant Renaissance mansions. You will also see the Jacquemart Tower, which was the gate of the first rampart built in 1164. In the 15th century, the tower stood in elevation above the town. It was fitted with a clock featuring an automaton, called a Jacquemart, which still strikes the hours today. In the Presle district, you will see old tanners' houses with wooden balconies and covered steps from the 15th century, an integral part of a Way of the Cross.

A listed Historic Monument, the Recollects' Calvary marks the end of the Way of the Cross called the Long Journey (Le Grand Voyage), and is another emblematic site in Romans-sur-Isère. Founded in 1516, it became an important pilgrimage site and to this day it remains a living part of the local heritage, especially on Good Friday.

When it comes to gastronomy, Romans-sur-Isère's specialities are sure to give your taste buds a treat! The delicious pogne in particular, a crown-shaped brioche flavoured with orange blossom. Or the famous ravioles, small squares of thin pasta filled with cheese and parsley.

A stop on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrim route (Way of St James) and one of France's Most Beautiful Villages, Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye will delight fans of built heritage with its half-timbered old houses, medieval market hall and abbey founded in 1297 by the Order of St Anthony to house the relics of St Anthony of Egypt. Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye has preserved a remarkable building from its rich religious past: Saint-Antoine Abbey Church, built from the 13th to the 15th centuries. This Gothic building is a listed Historic Monument and possesses a magnificent carved portal. The interior holds much of interest for visitors and pilgrims, including frescoes, walnut choir stalls, Aubusson tapestries, a monumental high altar housing the reliquary of St Anthony of Egypt, and an organ dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Also not to be missed is the treasure house of the Hospital Brothers of St Anthony (Antonines) in the church sacristies, which contains reliquaries, liturgical garments, surgical instruments and a Christ in ivory.

The Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye Departmental Museum, housed in the old noviciate, puts on exhibitions related to the Middle Ages, the abbey and the Order of the Antonines. You can also visit its medieval garden, located in the courtyard of the Great Stables (Grandes Écuries).

The village hosts a sacred music festival in the abbey church every summer, as well as a medieval festival, Saint-Antoine en Moyen Âge, with all sorts of entertainment, including shows, a market and medieval ball.

As the largest animal park in the Rhône-Alpes region, the Peaugres Safari Park in Ardèche covers an area of 80 hectares and is home to more than 900 animals of nearly 130 different species, from every continent.

This fabulous site, open from mid-February to mid-November, composed of two parks, is explored following a trail by car and a trail on foot. Whether you are in your own vehicle on in an electric bus which is available in the summer, spend an hour meeting the animals of the African plains, the north American forests and the valleys of Asia. Then take a walk and explore the aquatic area, with its sea-lions and penguins, the Léonie farm, the monkey area, the hothouse with 1,000 hiding places for reptiles, frogs and insects, the educational play area Gitaki, devoted to local bio-diversity, or the Claws and Fangs (Griffes et Crocs) area, devoted to predators! A place to increase awareness of nature and the living world, to take children and adults on a real journey to the heart of animal life...

Not be be missed for anything is the superb Saint-Romain-de-Lerps Belvedere, at 649 metres high, where the grandiose view encompasses a 360 degree panorama. Overlooked by a Romanesque chapel, this ancient strategic, military and religious site is absolutely worth going out of your way to see, for its viewpoint over the Rhône Valley, the Ardèche Cévennes and the Alps. This incredible balcony-style belvedere has a panoramic view of thirteen departments! Along the edges of its two orientation tables is an interesting themed path, dotted with information boards about flora and fauna, geology, the Mistral wind, the Rhône and the chestnut tree.

The gateway to the South of France and the capital of Drôme, Valence is a charming city in the Rhône Valley. Thanks to its sunny climate, location by the river and City of Art and History label, this is an attractive city in all respects. With its many café terraces, pleasant pedestrian squares, shopping streets and listed monuments, the old city offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Valence has some beautiful buildings, the oldest of which, the Cathedral of St. Apollinaris, dates from the 11th century. Its decorations are made of polychrome stones and its white stone bell tower contrasts with its molasse structure. At the heart of the cathedral's old cloister stands the Pendentif, a surprising funerary monument in the Renaissance style, dating from 1548. Also unmissable is the magnificent House of Heads on 57 Grande Rue, which is thus named after the many carved heads adorning its façade and inner courtyard. Built in the early 16th century, it marks the transition between the Flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance styles. Inside, a permanent exhibition tells the story of the city.

Don't forget to go and admire the elegant façade of the 19th-century Mauresque House, on Rue Gaston Rey, with its Orientalism-inspired architecture. Then there's the Church of St. John, with its beautiful Neo-Romanesque porch bell tower from the 19th century, and its carved capitals from the old medieval Romanesque church. The monumental fountain dating from 1887, designed by Eugène Poitoux and installed at the heart of the city, on Boulevard Bancel. Or the 13th-century Draper's House, the oldest house in Valence, built from stone and tucked away in the Saint-Jean district.

For a spot of culture, the Valence Museum of Art and Archaeology, installed in the old episcopal palace, has an archaeological section telling the story of the civilisations that once occupied the Drôme and the middle of the Rhône Valley through a display of over 1,500 objects. The Art collection, meanwhile, has a collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures and decorative arts on the theme of landscapes, from the 16th century to the contemporary era. Don't miss its belvedere on the top of the building, which offers an exceptional viewpoint over the city and the surrounding landscape.

Did you know that 10% of Valence's population is of Armenian origin? Head to the Armenian Heritage Centre to discover its permanent exhibition about the history of the Armenian genocide and exile.

The many parks have earned Valence its status as a green city. Right in the city centre, the Jouvet Park covers 7 hectares and is home to over 700 trees, some of which are listed as remarkable specimens. The canals that run through it and the menagerie make it an ideal place for walks with the family. Le Champ de Mars overlooking the superb public park is also an unmissable part of the city, in particular due to its fountains and its bandstand made famous by Peynet's Les Amoureux cartoon. Popular with the locals, this vast esplanade offers fabulous views over the Jouvet Park, Ardèche and Crussol Castle.

At the southern exit from the city, don't hesitate to stop by Valence harbour. The biggest river marina in France, it is located within the Épervière Park, a vast green space of 7 hectares featuring an arboretum, orchard, flower meadow, fun sports trail for children and a water fun centre.

Above all, don't leave Valence without having tasted its delicious speciality, the Suisse. This little shortbread man, flavoured with candied orange peel and orange blossom, is the ideal accompaniment to a cup of tea or coffee!

Called the Mastrou, or Ardèche Train, the Vivarais railway line is a metre gauge railway line for tourists, 33 kilometres long, connecting Lamastre and Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, near Tournon-sur-Rhône. The steam train and engine, both listed Historic Monuments, offer young and old the chance to explore the verdant Doux Valley, a conservation area with panoramic views which are inaccessible from the road.

A section of the Mastrou line can also be travelled by bicycle-rail (Vélorail), leaving from Boucieu-le-Roi. The line descends the Doux gorges for twelve kilometres, and the return journey is made by historic autorail. An excursion to be enjoyed as a couple, as a family or with friends!

Between Valence and Grenoble, Saint-Nazaire-en-Royans is an old fortified town in the department of Drôme. With a medieval past represented in particular by its narrow side streets and old houses, it is one of the region's many picturesque villages. Lovers of old buildings are sure to want to stay a while at the 13th-century church, which has a Gothic choir and a Romanesque belfry.

The aqueduct over the Bourne Canal is another one of the main attractions in Saint-Nazaire-en-Royans. Built at the end of the 19th century, it is made up of 17 arches and stands 35 metres tall and 235 metres long. Take the panoramic external lift and access a walkway just above the water. From there, you will have a magnificent view of the town and Vercors!

Very close by, you can visit the Thaïs cave in order to step back in time, all the way to Prehistory. Boasting surprising reliefs in red and black, it has some preserved remains that provide a chance to learn more about Cro-Magnon man.

Children and adults can discover the diverse landscapes of the Saint-Nazaire-en-Royans region on a paddle steamer cruise. While drifting peacefully along the Isère and Bourne, you will be able to admire the green riverbanks and discover a wealth of local fauna and flora.

Perched on a rocky spur like a sentinel, Crussol Castle, in the commune of Saint-Péray, looks down majestically on the Rhône Valley. Visible from afar, the remains of this 12th-century medieval fortress, which stands in a conservation area listed by Natura 2000, can also be admired close up, if you go on foot along a path which begins at the castle car park. This takes about a half-hour each way. As well as its ramparts, keep and ruined stately home, there you can admire a superb panoramic view of the Rhône plain and the city of Valence!

Every last weekend in June, Crussol celebrates its festival, a fun social event dedicated to the Middle Ages, with a medieval encampment, events with horses and falcons, and a sound and light show...

Vienne, located between the Rhône River and the hills, has been occupied since earliest Antiquity and is one of France's Cities of Art and History. It has preserved a rich built heritage from its long past, including monuments dating back to ancient times: the imposing Temple of Augustus and Livia built in 1BC; the vast 1st-century AD Théâtre Antique, one of the largest theatres in Roman Gaul; and the Garden of Cybele with its Gallo-Roman archaeological remains, among others. The city also boasts beautiful medieval heritage that you can discover by strolling through the old, narrow lanes and visiting the many listed buildings, including the Romanesque Saint-André-le-Bas Church with its superb cloisters decorated with carved capitals, and the Romanesque Gothic Saint-Maurice Cathedral, built from the 12th to 16th centuries, which has a breathtaking western facade with three Flamboyant-style carved portals depicting the holy history. Its luminous and harmonious interior features a long nave with three side aisles, Romanesque capitals and, displayed around the choir, Flemish tapestries portraying the life and martyrdom of St Maurice.

The Museum of Fine Art and Archaeology, housed in the old 19th-century corn exchange on Place de Miremont, contains collections of Gallo-Roman objects, French earthenware, and paintings dating from the 14th to the 20th centuries.

Not to be missed: climbing to the top of Mount Pipet where a chapel and statue of the Virgin Mary stand and there's a fantastic view over the city rooftops, Rhône Valley and, in the distance, Pilat mountain range!

The city also hosts a major music event, the Vienne Jazz Festival, in the prestigious surroundings of the Roman theatre every first fortnight in July. A must for all jazz fans.

The second largest market in France takes place in Vienne city centre every Saturday morning. Offering a host of local produce and specialities at over 5 km of stands, it's a gourmet's paradise!

Pont-en-Royans is a charming and picturesque village in Vercors Regional Nature Park whose old houses overhang the Bourne. A good place to admire this unusual and particularly photogenic sight is Picard bridge or the river banks. Take a leisurely stroll along the river and stop to each lunch at one of the picnic tables or bathe in the waterfall.

Don't miss the Water Museum, a fun scientific and cultural space devoted to water in all its forms, including a water bar with no fewer than 1,500 bottles of water from all over the world!

Situated in the heart of the Pilat Regional Nature Park, the village of Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France, is unusual in that it is the only village in France to occupy a former Carthusian monastery. The buildings of this monastery built in the 13th century are now home to a town hall, a school and houses.

Located between Valence and Crest, the zoo in the small village of Upie in Drôme is a fun and educational place for the whole family to visit. Also known as the Garden of Birds (Jardin aux Oiseaux), this zoological and botanical park is home to over 200 feathered species. That's around 1,000 birds from every continent swooping and soaring around 6 hectares of greenery.

Open to the public since 1976, Upie Zoo is also a rearing, conservation and breeding centre for endangered species. Learn about them on an educational trail dotted with lush plants, as well as the action taken by the zoo to protect them.

When it comes to entertainment, the bird of prey and parrot shows delight children and adults every day in summer. Children can also enjoy the various attractions like the tropical greenhouse, a mini-farm where they can meet the animals, and an inflatable play area!

To the east of Valence, in the Vercors Regional Nature Park, the small village of Léoncel still has an old Cistercian abbey. Founded in 1137, it was once the main monastery in Vercors. Like other monuments, the abbey was affected by the various wars of the time. However, it has kept its abbey church and the monks' wing, where the remains of the chapterhouse and cloister can still be seen.

Located in a pretty setting, the abbey church is very beautiful. Its mix of styles accentuates its uniqueness and makes it a very interesting architectural monument. Indeed, the streamlined and robust Romanesque choir, in which a Provençal influence can be seen, offers a contrast with the nave and its pre-Gothic leanings. When you come, don't forget to pay a visit to the charming garden of medicinal plants adjoining the church.

To help preserve and promote this historic monument, the Friends of Léoncel association offers various cultural activities amongst other things, such as concerts, exhibitions, talks and guided tours.

In the Drôme part of the Vercors massif, a spectacular road runs through some impressive limestone cliffs for around 4 kilometres. This is the Combe Laval road between Saint-Jean-en-Royans and the Col de la Machine pass. Opened in 1898, it was initially used for transporting wood but soon became a curiosity for tourists. Indeed, thanks to its location at the heart of a majestic cirque with breathtaking landscapes, the Combe Laval road is now one of the region's most unmissable attractions! Alternating between tunnels and open-air sections, it's the opposite of monotonous. Dotted with dizzying panoramic viewpoints, it offers splendid views over the Royannais landscape.

In the Vercors Regional Nature Park, the municipality of Vassieux-en-Vercors has an eventful history. This little mountain town in Drôme and the area around it witnessed confrontations between the Resistance and the Germany army during the Second World War. Indeed, Vercors was a bastion of the French Resistance and was one of the most important maquis in the free zone. But in the month of July 1944, German bombing destroyed Vassieux-en-Vercors, leading to the dispersion and inevitable death of the maquis members.

To learn more about this heroic and tragic story, head to the Departmental Museum of the Resistance in Vercors on Rue Fourna. With an exhibition area, testimonials and a rich collection of exhibits, step into the heart of the French Resistance. Inaugurated on 21 July 1994, the Resistance Memorial at the Col de la Chau pass is also a place of remembrance that pays tribute to all those who fought for freedom. Built on the edge of a cliff, it offers a direct view of the Vercors massif and the battlefield. It is also the starting point of a trail through the locations where fighting took place.

Another site devoted to the memory of the fighters is the necropolis of the Resistance in Vassieux-en-Vercors, located at the entrance to the village. It has 187 tombs, those of the maquis fighters and the civilians killed in summer 1944.

In 1970, a flint-cutting workshop was discovered in Vassieux-en-Vercors forest. Although it was abandoned by prehistoric man nearly 4,500 years ago, the workshop has remained intact. It is on this historic site that the Prehistory Museum was created. Archaeological excavations have unearthed bones, tools and minerals that you can discover on a fun and interactive visit.

For an original and colourful way to discover Provence, don't miss the wonderful exhibition of santons. At 15 rue de la Pouillette, Le Petit Monde des Santons tells the story of life in the past and the trades of yesteryear with a display of over 900 figurines!

Between the 15th and 19th centuries, several windmills were active in the municipality of Vassieux-en-Vercors. Two remain today, although they are in ruins, located near the hamlet of La Mure.