Saturday Market - Place des Clercs
The week's largest market with over 100 stalls, offering fresh local produce and a lovely Provence atmosphere.
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Valence
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ℹ️Practical info — Valence
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The Mistral wind can blow strongly here; bring a light windbreaker even in summer.
- Instead of the busy A7 highway stops, take a break in the city center and park near Parc Jouvet.
- The famous Kiosque Peynet on the Champ de Mars is beautifully lit at night, well-suited for a photo.
- Explore the city's unique network of small canals, originally built for irrigation and washing.
🍽 Food
🍽
Suisse de Valence
A traditional shortbread cookie shaped like a Swiss Guard. Find it in local bakeries.
🍽
Ravioles de Romans
Tiny cheese and parsley-filled pasta squares, often served gratinated in traditional brasseries.
🍽
Pogne de Romans
A delicious orange blossom-flavored brioche, available at pastry shops in the old town.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Old Town Boutiques
Stroll down Rue Émile Augier and surrounding pedestrian streets for local fashion and specialty shops.
🛍
Place des Clercs Market
Visit the Saturday morning market to buy fresh regional produce and cheeses directly from farmers.
🧘
Parc Jouvet
A beautifully landscaped botanical park offering views of the Rhône river and the ruined Château de Crussol.
🧘
Les Canaux
Walk along the shaded paths next to the city's historic irrigation canals, offering a cool retreat on hot days.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
10
Bourg-lès-Valence Sunday Market
A weekly mixed market featuring a variety of food products and household goods.
Tuesday Market - Place de L'Europe
One of the largest markets in the Drôme region, boasting 115 traders with a wide range of goods.
Valence City Center Goods Market
Browse through clothing, accessories, shoes, and toys in the heart of Valence city center.
Friday Market - Place Faventines
A traditional food market, perfect for stocking up on fresh local produce for the weekend.
Saturday Manufactured Market - Place de L'Europe
A specialized non-food market featuring manufactured goods and local crafts.
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Valence, the capital of the Drôme department, is situated on the left bank of the Rhône River in southeastern France. Founded by the Romans as Valentia Julia, the city served as a strategic crossroads along the ancient Via Agrippa during antiquity. The historic center features the Saint-Apollinaire Cathedral, an 11th-century Romanesque structure that underwent significant restoration in the 17th century. A notable architectural landmark is the Maison des Têtes, built in 1530, which is famous for its facade adorned with intricate sculptures of historical figures. Valence remains a vital commercial hub and is celebrated for Parc Jouvet, a 5.7-hectare public park in the heart of the city. Often referred to as the gateway to the South of France, it marks the climatic transition between the continental and Mediterranean zones. The city is also a traditional center for the French jewelry industry and supports several higher education institutions.
- Location: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
- Top sights: Maison des Têtes · Saint-Apollinaire Cathedral · Parc Jouvet
- Nearby: Saint-Péray (4 km)
- Population: ~68.604
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 2 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 17 | 12 | 7 | 3 |
| Rain mm | 54 | 46 | 53 | 62 | 78 | 57 | 54 | 56 | 69 | 92 | 101 | 60 |
Geography
Facts
- Founded in 121 BC under the name Valentia Julia.
- Saint-Apollinaire Cathedral was consecrated in the year 1095.
- Parc Jouvet covers a total area of 5.7 hectares.
- The city is located exactly on the 45th parallel north.
- Home to the Maison des Têtes, built in 1530.
- Port de l'Épervière is the largest river marina in France.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
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Sights in the town Valence (16)
Frequently asked questions
Why is Valence called the 'Gateway to the South'?
In Valence, Provence begins climatically with cypresses and pines. It is the transition from continental to Mediterranean climate.
What is the Maison des Têtes?
A magnificent 16th-century residence whose facade is decorated with numerous sculptures of heads and grotesques.
Are there beautiful parks in Valence?
Parc Jouvet in the city center gives 7 hectares of canals, rare trees, and a great view of the Crussol castle ruins.
What should you try in Valence?
The 'Suisse de Valence', a shortbread biscuit in the shape of a Swiss Guard with orange blossom flavor.
How do you get to Valence?
The city is located on the A7 motorway and has a TGV station (Valence TGV) just 35 minutes from Lyon and 2 hours from Paris.
Valence: where is it located?
Valence is located in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France.
Valence: what is there to see?
Highlights include Maison des Têtes, Saint-Apollinaire Cathedral, Parc Jouvet.
Valence: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Valence: why is it worth visiting?
Valence, the capital of the Drôme department, is situated on the left bank of the Rhône River in southeastern France.
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