Top 10 things to do in Montélimar

Top 10 things to do in Montélimar

1 – Cycle touring in the Tour de Lavande

Forget the car, leave the bus or train aside, and above all, walking is out of the question. To explore the lavender fields, we'll opt for the bicycle as a means of transport. Whether you're a cyclosportive or a cycle tourist, or you ride an electric-assisted bicycle (EAB), the circuit was primarily designed for bicycle tourism. It's now only waiting for visitors looking for a short hike. A bike ride along the edge of the lavender fields is a priority activity during your stay in Montélimar. The outing is less than 50 km long and doesn't pose much difficulty. Aside from the flowery landscapes that you'll devour, you should also know that the activity is completely free. Now you know what to do in Montélimar for leisure.

2 – Board the Little Tourist Train of Montélimar

Lasting 1 hour, the ride aboard the Little Tourist Train of Montélimar is a perfect opportunity to discover the heart of the city. With the little train, you can admire each landscape and as a bonus, you receive a commentary of each place in French or English. It is, among other things, a tourist visit like any other. The only difference is that you take a mobile tour on the tourist train while you can explore on foot. The train departs from the Montélimar tourist office, then passes through the Allées Provençales, the historic center, the Château des Adhémar, and the public garden.

Prices:

• Adults: €6
• Children (4 – 12 years): €4.40
• Children (- 4 years): free

3 – Smell the aromas of the Garden of Scents

Still in the nature and outdoor category, the Jardin des Senteurs is a great place to visit during your trip to Montélimar. There are gardens all over France, but this one boasts its unique features to set it apart from the rest. Featuring pleasant terraces, short paths built from stone, and winding streams, it's easy to see that the architect put his heart and soul into the garden's design. Thyme, olive trees, orange trees, figs, and rosemary were also planted to add a touch of fragrance to the garden. Everyone can enjoy a moment of escape during a short stroll or romantic moments on the garden benches, while enjoying the delicious aromas.

4 – Relax in the Montélimar Public Garden

When you don't yet know what to visit in Montélimar, it's good to take some time to reflect and relax in a pleasant environment. The public garden offers this double privilege. Described as a true green lung of Montélimar, the garden is the ideal place to relax for people out of breath from the long journeys taken to visit the city. It was created in 1856 by Duvillers-Chasseloup, architect and landscaper, to promise everyone pleasant moments in peace and serenity during the time they spend in the park. To keep his word, it has undergone numerous restorations and developments since its creation. Thus, walkers will be able to walk on concrete paths, breathe fresh air thanks to the century-old trees and enjoy a vast lawn in a very urban environment.

5 – Visit the Adhémar Castle

Located in the Drôme department, the Château des Adhémar museum can also be an interesting place to visit if you don't know what to do in Montélimar. The castle dates back to the 12th century and offers the discovery of collections and exhibitions around themes such as Archaeology and History or Contemporary Art and Modern Art. In addition to the exhibitions, you can also stroll with your family thanks to the different tour routes that are offered by the managers of the Château des Adhémar. Among these routes, there is one mainly intended for couples with children, the fantasy route. The organizers have thought of making the visit fun and, therefore, various games are offered for the greatest pleasure of young and old.

6 – Explore the European Fighter Aviation Museum

If you don't know what to do in Montélimar, it might be a good idea to visit the European Fighter Aviation Museum, to get a sense of the war eras. Created on June 10, 1985 by Bernard Cayrier, the museum now has around sixty aircraft on public display, and a few preserved in hangars. If the visit doesn't seem satisfying, you can take control of a plane yourself by taking control of the cockpit. You fire up the engines, take off, and then fly through the clouds. Provided, of course, that you know how to make the plane take off, just for the fun of it. All this to say that the museum doesn't just offer tours. You can also climb aboard the planes.

7 – Take part in the atmosphere of the Saint-James Market

One might wonder what to do in Montélimar on a Thursday. For a Thursday, all you have to do is bring your basket and head to the Place Saint-James Market. It seems a little strange to make the market tour a tourist activity. In Montélimar, and more specifically at the Place Saint-James Market, this is not the case. At this market, you can brighten up your day and witness a very colorful environment. In addition to the practice of fair trade in Montélimar, the market also offers a breathtaking atmosphere. Every Thursday morning, local producers and local residents meet at the Place Saint-James Market to exchange healthy and fresh products. During the meeting, you immediately notice a very colorful environment thanks to the various products, especially those from farmers. You can easily hear the southern accent of Provence, you see lively terraces and colorful stalls.

Prices:

• Adults: €4
• Child (- 12 years): free
• Group rate from 20 people

8 – Attend the exhibitions at the Montélimar Museum of Contemporary Art

Created on the initiative of the city's mayor in 1882, the Montélimar Museum is today a must-see for people passing through or wishing to spend a short stay in Montélimar. In this museum located in the heart of the city, you can discover works dating from 1945 to the present day through the permanent exhibitions. There are also temporary fine art exhibitions dedicated to a given theme. Currently, the Montélimar Museum of Contemporary Art is offering the Landscapes exhibition, which began on July 2, 2021 and will close on January 2, 2022. In this exhibition, the public is taken on a journey through painting from 1950 to the present day.

Prices:

• Reduced rate: €4
• Full price: €5.50

9 – Relive your childhood memories at the Nougat and Souvenirs Candy Palace

The world of childhood and memories is the main theme of the Nougat and Souvenirs Candy Palace. At this tourist attraction, children's entertainment and distraction are emphasized. Indeed, the Palace offers children several activities such as puzzles, toy testing, guessing games to find out what candy smells like, and many others. These activities are included during the visit to the Palace's museums. The nougat area, like the sugar adventure area, and newcomers like the RN7 era area, were all created for a good reason. The original idea was to inform them about the existence of nougat and its manufacturing method. This then expanded to the manufacturing of candies and confectionery in general.

10 – Visit the Soubeyran family nougat factory

A truly unique place in Montélimar, the oldest factory in its field welcomes its visitors and immerses them in the world of nougat through its museum. In it, the Soubeyran family recounts the origins and history of nougat as we know it, and more specifically, Montélimar nougat, as well as the family's contribution to building this reputation. After the short story, the program begins with the theme: "a step back in time." This involves viewing films and photos from the 1950s in the town of Montélimar during the heyday of nougat. We then watch some scenes in real life before closing the visit with a tasting session.

Price:

• Soubeyran factory exhibition: €4/person