Mirmande

Between the Vercors and Provence regions, overlooking the Rhone Valley and the Ardèche mountains, the fortified village of Mirmande rises proudly over the hillsides. The medieval village of Mirmande is one of France’s “most beautiful villages”. Nestled behind the ramparts, along the labyrinthine streets, the houses have retained their handsome stone facades and old doors. After the decline of the silk worm farms at the end of the 19th century, it was the orchards of Mirmande which sustained the village and made its reputation, attracting a number of high-profile visitors: the painter André Lhote lived there and Haroun Tazieff was mayor from 1979 to 1989. From Mirmande, you can sample the many pleasures which the Drôme and Ardèche regions have to offer: from taking a dip in the Drôme river to the adventure down the majestic Gorges de l'Ardèche, from hiking across the wild plateaus of the nearby Vercors region to discovering the extraordinary Caverne du Pont d'Arc, a UNESCO world heritage site… Don’t forget the musical events, theatrical performances and exhibitions of many regional festivals (Châteaux de Grignan, Suze-la Rousse, Adhémar).