The �departments� of Ard�che and Dr�me are both located in the region of the Rh�ne-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 Rh�ne 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 N�mes, 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.
DROME
NEW IN THE DR�ME FOR 2004
�Villa & La Table d�Augusta � Jacques et Laurent Pourcel�
Opening in June 2004 is the newest creation of the Michelin starred twin chefs from the Roussillon. Jacques and Laurent Pourcel, along with Olivier Ch�teau are preparing the menu for this new venture that will incorporate a four-star hotel and restaurant. The hotel is set in 3000 square metres of parkland outside the town of St.Paul 3 Ch�teaux. The architecture and decoration will reflect the rich Roman heritage of the area. The hotel will have 25 rooms. This will be a four star hotel.
For further information contact +33 475 97 29 29 (hotel) or +33 475 97 29 28 (restaurant) or www.villaaugusta-hotel.com
�Le Moulin� � Valaurie
This is an old mill that has been turned into a three star �hotel de charme�. Set in a beautiful park area of over three hectares with water features, tennis court, and swimming pool, it seems to extend an invitation to relax. There are just fifteen rooms starting at �100.
For further information contact Laetitia Antoine on +33 475 97 21 90 or www.lemoulindevalaurie.com
�La Bastide de Grignan� � Grignan
Close to the village of Grignan this new three star hotel has a marvellous gastronomic restaurant and just sixteen rooms starting at �60 per room per night.
For further information contact M.Batin +33 475 46 57 22
Pret-a-Partir - Enjoy a weekend or short break in the Dr�me �and see many of the places that make this part of the world in the south of the Rh�ne-Alps region such a delight to visit. . Whatever time of year there are a wealth of places to see, so many different itineraries to try. For ideas of weekends and short breaks in the Dr�me, visit the website www.drome-pretapartir.com.
Try touring the
Perched Villages of the Dr�me (three nights � �240 per person on half-board) or a
Yoga, Watercolours and Relaxing stay in the Dr�me Proven�ale (six nights - �515 per person on full-board).
Apprenticeship in Provencal Cuisine maybe more up your street (two nights - �180 per person on full-board).
For something more active there are mountain biking and horse riding, quad biking and mule trekking stays or try cycling the
Mythical Routes of the Vercors (three nights - �177+ per person on half-board). There are stays designed specifically for adults such as the
Shoe and Leather Festival extravaganza in October 2004 (29th-31st) based in the European shoe capital of Romans (two nights from �133 per person on B&B;) Other holidays are designed for children and families, for example, a
Canoeing and Swimming weekend in the Diois � Valley of the Dr�me (two nights from �35 per person). Or a
Fishy Family Weekend staying in self-catering accommodation with entrance to the aquarium at Allex or the crocodile farm and access to the adventure park in the trees (two nights from �70 per person)
There really is something for everybody. Visit the website www.drome-pretapartir.com
For an idea of an itinerary that takes in many of the most scenic parts of the Dr�me Provencale try
The Lavender Route
Day One
Head for Grignan, a perched village surrounded by lavender fields. Stay at �Maison du Moulin� (Tel: +33 4 75 46 56 94)
The Ch�teau of Grignan was built in the Middle Ages, one of the three castles of repute in the Dr�me, along with the Ch�teau of Adh�mar in Mont�limar and the castle at Suze-la-Rousse. Rebuilding in the sixteenth century turned Grignan into one of the greatest Renaissance castles of south-east France, and further refurbishments in the seventeenth century turned it into one of the finest antiquities in the country.
Grignan is also known as the village of letters and writing, there is even an annual Festival of Correspondence in early July as well as a museum on the subject. The festival was initiated because of the fact that Madame de Sevign� lived here in the castle in the seventeenth century. Madame de Sevign� left a literary monument to France in the form of the letters describing the events and everyday life of the country at that time.
This afternoon drive to Nyons. Here one may visit one of the working lavender distilleries in the area. The Bleu Provence has demonstrations of lavender distillation as well as an explanation of the industry and the history of lavender production in the Dr�me. The whole landscape has been shaped by this tradition of lavender production and Nyons is one of the centres of the industry to this day. Le Bleu Provence has a shop where one may purchase lavender products.
Nyons is also famous for the production of olive oil and one may visit an olive oil mill in the town. Olive treees surround the town � all 220,000 of them set in 2300 hectares of ground, some are centuries old and there are even trees dating back a thousand years. Purchase some Provencal caviar, tapenade, a paste made of black olives. The Olive Festival takes place on the first Sunday of February every year.
Day Two
This morning head for Buis-les-Baronnies, capital of the lime tree, and known as the Wall Street of herbal tea! . The Baronnies area accounts for 75% of national production. 500 tonnes of lime flowers are collected every year to make the popular lime flavoured tea. A cup of �tilleul� taken before bedtime is said to cure insomnia, otherwise it is very much a �cure-all�. The lime tree is dedicated to Venus and is a symbol of love and fidelity, probably because of the heart shape of the leaves. French revolutionaries called it �the liberty tree�. The Lime Fair takes place on the first Wednesday of July every year.
Do visit the Maison des Plantes whilst in Buis. This is an exhibition of aromatic and medicinal plants explaining why the Dr�me is the home of scents and colours.
This afternoon rediscover the lavender theme of the area by a trip to Ferrassi�res. �Le Ch�teau de la Gabelle� of Marguerite Blanc is a B&B; in the middle of the lavender fields tended by Marguerite�s son. Marguerite proposes workshops and courses in flower arranging and floral composition using lavender flowers. She also makes lavender honey. This is the area where the impressionists came to put lavender on canvas. For further information contact +33 475 75 28 80 54
Stay overnight at �La Forge Sainte Marie� at Eygalayes on +33 4 75 28 42 77 or �La Honas� at La Rochette-du-Buis on +33 4 75 28 55 11
Day Three
A visit to Suze-la-Rousse is a must! This outstanding mediaeval ch�teau was owned by the Princes of Orange and was partially transformed in the sixteenth century. The austere appearance of the castle is offset by the gardens and arcaded courtyard. One of only three real tennis courts in France was situated here.
Today the Ch�teau of Suze-la-Rousse houses the University of Wine which offers tasting courses, courses on wine-growing and other forms of instruction in all things viticole including a wine waiter�s diploma. The ampelographic or vineyard garden set beneath the castle brings together seventy varieties of grape that can be studied in various stages of growth throughout the year.
Mont�limar is our next port of call, home of nougat and also of the last great castle of the Drome � the Chateau of Adh�mar.
Nougat has been produced in Mont�limar since the late seventeenth century although it was not until the nineteenth century that the first specialist manufacturers appeared, rather than general confectioners. Today there are thirteen manufacturers in Mont�limar producing fifteen tons of nougat daily. Sales of nougat turnover �45 million annually. To meet a producer contact the tourist office who organise visits.
The Ch�teau des Adh�mar in Montelimar is one of the most important examples of mediaeval architecture in this part of the Rhone Valley and was built by the Adh�mar of Monteil family on a hill above the town. Within the curtain wall remain an eleventh century chapel and twelfth century residence with outstanding decorative features.
For places to stay and more information on Mont�limar contact the tourist office on +33 475 01 00 20
For more information visit: www.routes-lavande.com.
Wines with Winning Ways!
In wine terms, the Dr�me is a natural link along the Rh�ne River between the Beaujolais to the north and the Proven�e to the south. In the Dr�me only AOC and vins de pays are produced � vins de table represent very little of the 900,000 hectolitres total production. Some of the most famous wines of France are produced here in the Dr�me, such as the Crozes-Hermitage to the north and C�te du Rh�ne Villages to the south. Visits are possible to many of the wines caves such as at Tain l�Hermitage and Coteuax de Tricastin. The Dr�me is so mad about wine, they even have their own Wine University at Suze-la-Rousse (see The Lavender Route above)
Weekend introduction to winetasting package at Suze-la-Rousse
With over two full days of tuition, the aim is to help the participants understand and recognise the essential characteristics that determine the quality of wines. The tasting techniques and methods will develop a rigorous approach to wine and broaden one�s knowledge.
Price is �310 for two days tuition and with Sunday lunch included at the Relais & Ch�teau de Rochegude****. For further information and reservations contact: +33 4 75 97 21 30 or www.universite-du-vin.com
For a lovely �chambres d�h�te� that is good places to stay whilst you are doing your course call: �Les Aygui�res� in Suze-la-Rousse on +33 4 75 98 40 80
Other lovely �chambres d�h�tes� for wine with a passion are �Passage Secrets� in Montjoyer on +33 4 75 465 00 27 and �La Petite Aiguebonne� in Allex on +33 4 75 62 60 68
PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD
Romans-sur-Is�re � capital of the luxury shoe market and home of the European Shoe Museum
The leather industry has been in existence in Romans for over two hundred years. In fact the most famous tannery � that of the Roux family celebrated its bicentenary in 2003. The Roux company supplies leather to the luxury sector selling 80% of its production to companies such as Vuitton, Longchamp, Herm�s and Richemont, 10% to the shoe industry � Clergerie, Todds and Churches and 10% to watchmakers such as Rolex and Breitling. For further information contact Tanneries Roux +33 475 02 22 29
The Romans factories make high quality shoes using mass production techniques. Visit the factory shops in Romans to buy gorgeous French shoes renowned for being beautifully made, geometrical, colourful and architectural.
200 companies set up shop in Romans between 1960 and 1990 providing employment for the 33,000 local inhabitants. Of these, three companies have come to dominate the shoe industry � Kelian, Clergerie and Jourdan. These luxury brands have all recently employed new artistic directors to bring a novel and modern creativity to the home of the deluxe shoe market.
Patrick COX � appointed director of design at CHARLES JOURDAN in January 2003. Cox, a French Canadian by birth, has studied the company in depth, finding out what makes it so successful, and looking for ways to move the design of the footwear into the contemporary arena. Cox launched his own label in the UK in 1996 but now is creating for Jourdan incorporating Cox�s own �fetish� for the �60�s and �70�s�. For further information contact +33 475 72 75 72. For the factory shop visit rue Sabaton - +33 475 02 32 36
Alain TONDOWSKI has assumed responsibility as artistic director at KELIAN, employed to safeguard new ideas and new creativity. Kelian is now part of the group built up by Alain Dumesnil, which includes Scherrer, Khanh and Harel. Tondowski�s collection for spring-summer 2004 reverts to the days when Kelian was the Queen of Handmade Shoes. His collection is 80% handmade and has been developed in conjunction with handbags and other accessories. Alain�s own firm produces very switched on high heeled shoes. For further information contact +33 475 05 54 54. For the factory shop visit Place Charles de Gaulle +33 475 05 23 26
Michel VIVIEN � continues the historical excellence at CLERGERIE. Vivien has his own brand but has joined Clergerie to re-inject some femininity into the shoes. The simplicity of the form and comfort of the shoe have always been the hallmark of the Clergerie brand, uncompromised by the heels. For further information contact +33 475 05 59 65. For the factory shop visit Cote des Cordeliers - +33 475 02 52 54 or www.robertclergerie.com
THE INTERNATIONAL SHOE MUSEUM
4000 years of history spanning five continents and with 10,000 items on show in alternating exhibitions, this is a fantastic and detailed museum in an old convent in downtown Romans that is worth every minute spent of what is an intriguing visit. The museum tells the story of shoe wearing, shoe making and shoe design from antiquity to the present day. This is not just a practical object, a shoe, but also constitutes an art form in itself. There is a continual cycle of ambitious temporary exhibitions too. For further information contact +33 475 05 51 51
Fashion and Culture Weekend in Romans
Spend a weekend in Romans and enjoy guided visits to the historical centre of the town and the International Shoe Museum as well as shopping in the factory shops of Jourdan, Kelian, Manoukian and others, and the luxury boutiques that crowd the centre of this cradle of French deluxe shoe production.
One night in a two or three star hotel on a full board basis starts at �160 per person � valid all year round. For further information contact the Romans Tourist Office on +33 475 02 28 72 or [email protected]
An �Adresse de charme� in Romans � the Hotel l�Or�e du Parc is a great plavce to stay and is close to shops, the museums and a super atmosphere in which to relax. For further information contact +33 475 70 26 12
For more information contact:
Magellan PR on Tel: 020 8875 2850
Email: [email protected]