© G.Reynard
Tour

Gourmet visit of Montélimar and its surroundings

Montélimar > Malataverne
Tour duration 3 days, 2 nights
TravelBy car
Summary
Steps
Enjoy a gourmet break in Montélimar, in the heart of the Valley of Gastronomy! From the delicious sweetness of nougat to the chic Domaine de Colombier, the town and its surroundings offer you an unforgettable culinary journey. Discover the flavours of this emblematic region of French gastronomy 🍴
8 steps distributed over 3 days

Day 1

Montélimar > Montélimar
Montélimar
Experience slow tourism, and take the time to live life to the full - true epicureanism! Take the time to taste the best nougat in the world, to browse in our town centre, to have a coffee at our Provence colour market... Sites to munch on, an art of living to melt your heart. Welcome to our southern town, the gateway to Provence.
Details
2 min By car
892 m
Le Chaudron d'Or
The factory is in the heart of the town, and has been keeping tradition alive since 1949, by concocting authentic Montélimar Nougat in the traditional copper pots. To learn all about the history and unveil the secrets of making this little treasure of Drôme's gourmet heritage, the Chaudron d´Or opens its doors to visitors. The factory has the 'Living Heritage Company' label.
Details
 © Le Chaudron D’or
3 min By car
2.4 km
Palais des Bonbons, Nougat & Souvenirs
A unique, unmissable place! The 3th most popular place of interest in the Drôme. Find all your childhood memories on the tours of the Palais: Musée des Bonbons (sweets museum), the Maison des Jouets (house of toys), Provence en Santons (traditional figurines), the Monde des Ours et Poupées (world of bears and dolls), the Musée de la Nationale 7 (National 7 main road museum), the Fabrique Artisanale de Nougat (homemade nougat factory), automatons, electric trains, diorama of the Tour de France and so much more.
New exhibition space: brick city, Playmobil, Kinder
Indoor, air-conditioned visitor's tour. Tastings on each tour.
Shop (sweets, nougat, souvenirs).
Also on-site: Badaboum indoor play area with air-conditioning, outdoor, shaded area with restaurant, sheltered picnic area, playground, small farm and exotic aviary, private, sheltered parking.
Details
 © Palais des Bonbons du Nougat et des Souvenirs
5 min By car
4.2 km
Hôtel Sphinx
Comfortable and quiet rooms, air conditioning, safe, LCD TV, courtesy tray, etc... and some with balcony or loggia. Family rooms for up to 5 people. Free WIFI.
Details
 © Sphinx Hôtel
2 min By car
965 m

Day 2

Montélimar > Malataverne
Château de Montélimar
The castle is ideally located a few minutes walk away from the city centre, standing atop Montélimar’s heights. The stronghold is a powerful testimony of the Adhémar family and lineage’s influence, for the city was named after them. The castle comprises the Lord’s lodge, a Roman chapel, a square tower and a curtain wall topped by a chemin de ronde. As centuries went by, the ensemble served various purposes, such as a palace, a fort, citadel and then a prison. Today, the castle is a publicly owned property and belongs to Département de la Drôme, it has been listed as part of the Monuments Historiques and has benefited from many restoration projects. The first visitors were admitted in 1983 and have enjoyed since the building’s unique Southern Roman architectural features. Most remarkable highlights of the stronghold include some notable arcade windows and a breathtaking 360° panorama over the city from the chemin de ronde.

History with children’s eyes

Whether our visitors are young amateurs with a knack for history heirlooms or simply curious minds, we encourage children and adults to explore this one of a kind castle: several visiting courses include games and fun activities for all ages. All courses cover the castle’s history and its architecture, the daily routine of Lords and their subjects, customs and rituals commonly used during Middle Age and how the City of Montélimar governed and was governed over the ages.
This project of setting up innovative, off the beaten track visiting courses for guests was initiated and carried out by local professionals and children, as part of collaborating plans and initiatives.
Details
 © ©Loic JULIEN
2 min By car
995 m
Le Moderne restaurant
Featured in the Michelin Guide since 2017, awarded the 'Maître Restaurateur' title and recognised by the culinary college of France. Very pleasant outdoor terrace full of flowers, car park just opposite and service with a smile!
Details
 © Franzè Ben
8 min By car
4.2 km
Musée du Nougat – Fabrique Arnaud Soubeyran
Inside the Fabrique, the Musée du Nougat Arnaud Soubeyran is a tribute to the most iconic of Montélimar nougat brands. Come and learn about the history of the region, of the National 7 main road, of a town, its residents and the story behind Mr. and Mrs Soubeyran's nougat!

Throughout the centuries, the Fabrique Arnaud Soubeyran has managed to preserve the age-old values for quality, excellence and traditional expertise. This establishment has adapted with the times and visitors can come and learn about its history, its current operations and what's to come in the future, on a tour of the Museum with fun and contemporary tools that will whisk visitors away on a surprising journey into the cooking pots!

The whole family will enjoy the interactive, fun and goumet visitor's tour. The work of many artists, photographers, painters and scale-model creators features in the tour, providing a fun and poetic touch, filled with fascinating information and facts! An exceptional addition is the beehive sound experience, that takes you on a journey into the world of the beehive, through the four seasons.

The shop is a treasure trove of sweet treats, all made right here on-site and very difficult to resist!
With a restaurant serving lunch and a tearoom, don't hesitate to stay a while longer after your visit, you're in for a delicious treat!
Details
 © Sandrine Balleydier, As
8 min By car
8.1 km
Le Domaine du Colombier
In the heart of the Drôme Provençale, the Domaine du Colombier is an ancient 14th-century country house that used to be a stopover for pilgrims. Its 4 hectares of wooded, flower-filled grounds, terraces, fountains and heated outdoor swimming pool invite you to relax to the utmost.

The Domaine du Colombier is an ideal stopover for epicureans in search of serenity in the Drôme provençale, the gateway to Provence and its Mediterranean climate.
The 4-star hotel has 20 rooms and 4 suites, with soft, restful colours that combine refinement and comfort.
To complete your stay, our gourmet restaurant welcomes you from Thursday to Monday, all year round, for lunch and dinner.Chef Johan Thyriot and his team use local produce to create a creative cuisine whose flavours vary with the seasons.
Our bistro is open Monday to Friday, lunch and dinner (September to April) and Monday to Saturday, lunch and dinner (May to August). Chef Anthony Monteremal and his team work constantly with seasonal produce and local producers.
Details
 © J. Mondière
Map
List of steps