Valence in France: unusual visits and activities Atrium Hotel

Hotel in Valence

Valence in France: unusual visits and activities

Halfway between Avignon and Lyon, Valence is located in a plain at the level of the Middle Rhône Valley. Adulated for its bright colors and its exquisite flavors, this southeastern city of France has all the very essentials to make you have an unforgettable holiday. In Valence, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy some visits and activities that are not part of your daily life. This article talks about the details.

Visit Château de Maisonseule

Situated at the heart of a wooded area of 85 hectares, Château de Maisonseule is 750 m above sea level within the middle of the Monts d’Ardèche. This fortress built in the 12th century houses 5 magnificent guest rooms. It’s a medieval castle which has been fully restored by the comedian Yves Lecoq.

Find a way of reaching La Mamounia

La Mamounia is a Moroccan restaurant in which you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy couscous generous, tasty tagines and other tremendous meals. Good pastilla is available to satisfy your hunger as well as delicious Moroccan pastries for dessert. To quench your thirst, you’ll be able to rely on wonderful Moroccan wines.

Visit a truffle farm

In the Drôme des Collines, visit a charming truffle farm. The truffle hunter present in the field will give you explanation of the secrets of culture as well as the harvest’s vagaries. With friends or family, you’ll have the opportunity to discover that jewel of French Gastronomy. The truffle arm receives groups containing 10 people at least.

Get to The Upie Zoo

Situated between Crest and Valence, this zoo is in the village of Upie and appears to be an educational place. Also called the Garden of Birds, this botanical and zoological park contains more than 200 feathered species. You’ll then be able to contemplate 1000 birds from all continents soaring and swooping around a greenery covering 6 hectares. Upie Zoo is a rearing as well, breeding and conservation centre for species at risk.

In addition, parrot shows and the bird of prey delight adults and children in summer season. Kids can enjoy as well the numerous attractions such as a bouncy play area, a mini-farm in which animals can be met and a tropical greenhouse.

Deal with Hot-air balloon flight

Balloon & Cie provides everyday their balloons to make visitors view the land from the sky. User-friendly platforms are available and will help you access privileged space to take advantage of an impressive 360° view. Hot Air Balloon & Cie provides various activities for companies in Annonay. In the North of Ardèche, you will feel excited to take your very first trip up within a hot-air balloon. You’ll then have the possibility to soak up the amazing Ardèche countryside, orchards and vineyards, in addition to the Alps.

Go to The Vivarais railway

Called Ardèche Train or the Mastrou, the Vivarais railway line appears to be a metre gauge railway of 33 kilometres long which will be a great tourist attraction for visitors. The Vivarais railway connects Saint-Jean-de-Muzols and Lamastre. Its engine and stream train are both classified as Historic Monuments and offer children and adults the opportunity to roam the verdant Doux Valley. The latter is a conservation area featuring wonderful panorama views which can not be seen from the road.

You can also travel through a section of the Vivarais railway line by bicycle-rail, coming from Boucieu-le-Roi. You’ll be given to descend the Doux gorges and make the return journey by autorail. It’s an excursion that you’ll enjoy as a family, with friends or as a couple.

Enjoy a flight within a two-seater paraglider

Situated in the very centre of the Drôme, Jeux d’Ailes proves to be a paragliding school in the Diois. Labeled by the French Federation of Free Flight, the school provides all the training you need to be responsible and autonomous pilots. It will be a pleasure for you to get in touch with the paragliding activity on the occasion of a day discovery or across a tandem flight. Various flights are possible: 550 m vertical drop for a 10 minutes flight, 130 m vertical drop for a 2 minutes flight and a 750 m vertical drop for a 20 minutes flight.