A Magellan PR Press Release

Client Name: La Drome Du Vecors a la Provence

Title: Drome Story Angles 2003

Date of Release: May 2003

The ‘departments’ of Ardèche and Drôme are both located in the region of the Rhône-Alpes region of France. They have little in common with their neighbouring Alpine ‘departments’ and have more similarity with Provence to the south. These ‘departments’ straddle the Rhône River with the Vercors and Alps to the east and the Massif Central to the west. Easy to reach by road from the UK and also by TGV and Eurostar, travel options also include low cost flights to Nîmes, Grenoble, St. Etienne and Montpellier plus services to Geneva and Lyons. Great holiday destinations at any time of the year, these unspoilt areas of France have much to offer.

DRÔME

Hôtels de charme Whether attributed with two stars or four, there are hotels in the region that offer certain amenities and levels of comfort that lend them to be included in the ‘hôtels de charme’ category. They may be very different from each other but the use of local materials, the attention to detail and the way the properties reflect the local landscape is quite stunning. Many offer themed packages to their properties that make great weekend breaks at excellent prices.

• Le Clair de la Plume***(Grignan) is right in the centre of this beautiful village renowned for its incredible Renaissance château. This guesthouse is quite breathtaking, every room having a distinct decoration that oozes Provence. Staying at Le Clair de la Plume is more like staying with friends than in a hotel.
• Une Autre Maison*** (Nyons) There are just five guest rooms in this intimate hotel in the centre of the resort of Nyons. This was a family residence built in the nineteenth century that has been lovingly converted. There is a pool and garden with century-old trees in the shaded courtyard.
• Château de Rochegude**** (Rochegude) overlooks the vineyards surrounding the famous symbol of Provence, Mount Ventoux. This medieval castle has a pool, extensive gardens and is a truly romantic venue.
• Les Hospitaliers*** (Le Poët Laval) This luxurious hotel is in one of the most authentic medieval villages in France. It is dominated by the Maltese Castle where the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem were once based. Le Poët Laval is classed as one of the Historic Monuments of France. The hotel boasts wonderful views from the terrace, an enviable cuisine and impressive wine cellar.
• Michel Chabran*** (Pont de l’Isère) is a great Relais & Châteaux restaurant with twelve rooms attached. M.Chabron is a chef with a formidable reputation for producing a cuisine of the highest quality, using local produce and reflecting the changing seasons.
• Le Manoir de la Roseraie*** (Grignan) is set in five acres of grounds where you will find thousands of roses, superb lawns, a swimming-pool, tennis and volleyball court. This nineteenth century manor house is close to the Dentelles de Montmirail and Alpilles hills, as well as the Viverais mountains and the Belfry of Chamaret.
• Le Moulin de Valaurie*** (Valaurie) is a restored old mill set in three hectares of gardens in the vicinity of Grignan. There is a lovely pool and tennis courts.
• L’Orée du Parc*** (Romans-sur-Isère) is a ten-room hotel in the very centre of Romans close to Marques Avenue and the Shoe Museum. A great place to relax…and shop!

Themed Holidays

• Enjoying Lavender in Provence Follow the Lavender Road where everything centres on this most famous of Provençal products. There are workshops to attend explaining the medicinal properties of the plants, visits to growers and distillers, festivals and all the accommodation that’s included is themed around lavender. There are different ways of doing the course – by bike, on foot or in a car. Prices vary depending on the time of year. For more information visit: www.routes-lavande.com.
• Footwear Package The package includes a guided tour of the capital of French footwear, Romans, and a visit to the Footwear Museum. In the afternoon you are left to explore the shoe, leather and fashion shops in town – names like Jourdan, Manoukian and Kélian, and the Marque Avenue – the outlet factory shop area just outside of the town centre. Prices start at €155 per person for one night in a two star hotel on a full board basis sharing a twin/double bedded room. All admissions and services of a guide are included.
• In the Footsteps of Madame de Sévigné – Expedition with Mules This route takes you from hilltop to hilltop village exploring the cultural and historic heritage that abounds in the area, for example, the plentiful Romanesque chapels. A visit to a truffle farm is also included where you will go hunting for truffles and make a truffle omelette. The price is €580 per person for a six-night stay sharing a twin/double bedded room. Either stay on a B&B; basis in hotels or on a full board basis in gîtes. Your mule, luggage transfer and guide are all included in the price.
• Cooking Classes at Les Tuilleries Spend a weekend in a seventeenth century farmhouse and learn the skills involved in Provençal cooking. Hermann, your chef and teacher, will not only instruct you in the kitchen but he will make sure you learn about the ingredients you use from his herb garden and vegetable patch. When not cooking enjoy the heated swimming-pool, the two kilometre nature trail and forty acres of woods and parkland. Price for the five night stay course at €1150 per person on a B&B; basis sharing twin or double bedded room.
• Revitalising Weekends Learn sophrology or relaxation therapy during your weekend in Mirabel-et-Blacons. There are workshop activities and relaxation sessions all weekend. Prices start from €100 per person sharing a twin or double-bedded room for two nights on a B&B; basis at ‘L’Atelier du Bon Vivre’, including supervision.
• Nyons, the Olive Capital During this holiday you will visit an olive grove, meet a grower, see the old stone olive mills, and go to the World of the Olive Tree Institute. You will prepare a menu based on olives too. A good time to go is when the Olive Festival is on in February. Price is from €300 per person based on sharing a double or twin bedded room for two nights at the Hotel Une Autre Maison on a full-board basis. Other themes that can be explored include chocolate, truffles or wine.
• Travel down the Drôme River By kayak or canoe from a campsite just outside the town of Die, celebrated for its Clairette wine. Price per person is €20 including one night on the campsite and a half-day canoeing.
• The Secret Charms of the Baronnies
  • A Walk through Colours and Aromas – follow the plants and flowers as the seasons change in the company of your guide who will explain all about the local flora and fauna.
  • Rando’Saveurs – This walk takes you through the orchards of the area with your guide. Each departure features a different fruit – black olives, cherries, apricots, prunes, grapes…In the evening the meal is based on local produce and the next day you go through the recipes used. The price is €80 per person based on sharing a twin/double bedded room in a gîte on a half-board basis for two nights.
• Robin Wood Package Is a great package centered on the Domaine de Piache in the Vercors. The Domaine is owned by one of the best-known bow makers in France and he will introduce you to the fine art of archery. There is a day spent on a course that features over 40 targets. In winter the course is undertaken on a dog sledge. The countryside is forest, moorland and cliffs. The price per person based on a minimum of two participants is €290 for four nights at the Domaine on a full-board basis.

Manufacturers!

• La Manufacture Française de Cigares is the top French manufacturer of hand-rolled cigars. Its flagship product is the ‘Edito’. All the rollers learn their trade in the Dominican Republic. There is now also a Cigar University in Châteauneuf de Galaure. Whether a novice or experienced cigar lover, sommelier or restauranteur, the popularity of the cigar is increasing. The University offers sessions including theoretical components, hands-on workshops and tasting sessions. For further information: www.cigaresedito.com
• Valrhona Chocolate has been made in this part of the Rhône Valley since 1922. The goal of the manufacturers is to make the most outstanding product that respects the provenance of the cocoa. Valrhona was the first company to make a chocolate that contained 70% Guanaja cocoa in 1984. This is particularly sought after by professionals and gourmets. The Grand Chocolate School is where new flavours and new recipes are created. Valrhona is an official partner in the Patisserie World Cup.
• The Valdrôme Company has been producing Provençal style materials since 1946. The process of transferring motifs onto fabrics was invented in India and Persia over a thousand years ago. The secrets of production were bought back to France by Jean de Valdrôme in the eighteenth century and the first factory opened in 1770 in Valence. The company now has a presence on the major world markets.

Fêtes and Festivals – a selection

Correspondence Festival – is held in remembrance of Madame de Sévigné, a great French lady of letters who lived in this area. There is a large fair selling everything and anything to do with writing – pens, stamps, paper, postcards….And entertainment from well-known comedians on a correspondence theme. The festival is held in Grignan on 3rd – 6th July 2003.

Festival of the Arts of the Vine – is held in Châtillon over a week where all things to do with the vineyard and vines is on display. There are wine tastings and markets selling local produce, demonstrations of barrel-making among other things, sculpting classes using the wood of the vine, concerts, torchlight processions, firework displays and so on. The festival in Châtillon takes place 3rd – 10th August 2003.

• Lime Festival – Buis-les-Baronnies 2nd July 2003.
• Lavender Festival – Montélimar 5th and 6th July 2003
• Wool Festival – Nyons 13th August 2003
• Wine Harvest Festival – 20th and 21st September 2003
• Nut Festival – 8th November 2003.

For more information contact:
Adriena Daunt, Account Manager
Tel: 020 8875 2850
Email: [email protected]