Privas
Capital of the Ardèche department in the Rhône-Alpes region, the city of Privas is the smallest prefecture in France with a little over 10,000 inhabitants. Although its citizens, called privadois, are not numerous, the city is known around France for its crème de marrons and the surrounding rugged landscape makes it a center for outdoor sports and exploration.
Three rivers go around Privas: the Mezayon, the Ouvèze, and the Charalon. Beyond and between them are gorges and craggy hills that give the Privas region its character. Information on outdoor activities and rentals can be found at the Office de Tourisme Privas-Rhône et Vallées at 3, Place Général de Gaulle. Privas is near the Parc Naturel Régional des Monts d’Ardèche, a natural park that offers hiking, dog sledding, snowshoeing, canyoning, and rock climbing excursions.
The city of Privas itself is not as beautiful as its terrain, but there are still a few landmarks worth visiting. During the siege of 1629, Privas was almost completely destroyed by Richelieu’s troops who wanted to return power to the king in the protestant city. Eventually, Privas was rebuilt as a center of commerce, but barely any traces of the original city remain. Although heavily damaged in the siege, the 15th century Pont Louis-XIII is still standing over the Ouvèze. The 15th century Tour Diane-Poitiers on the Place de la Republique also offers a view into what the city looked like before the siege. A walk up to the three crosses of Montoulon on a hill in town provides a beautiful view of the city and the surrounding area.
The Ardèche is the only department in France that does not have train service and it is only accessible by car or bus. Buses regularly leave from the Gare Routière and TGV station in nearby Valence and the journey usually takes about an hour.
In fall, the streets of Privas are littered with chestnuts and the Castagnades d’Automne each October celebrates the chestnut with festivals around the Ardèche. In Privas, the festival includes a market with a variety of chestnut products, including pasta, spice bread, flour, liqueur, and even sausage, available for purchase. There is also a massive chestnut roasting in the center of town where free wine and roasted chestnuts are given away. Crème de marrons, a chestnut spread, and marrons glacés, candied chestnuts, are both specialties of Privas. They can be bought year round in grocery stores in France, with the most popular being the crème de marron made by the Privas-founded Clément Faugier.
A Saturday morning market offers regionally made and grown products, fruits, and vegetables. For lunch and dinner, most restaurants offer French specialties like crepes, tartines, and regional foods. La Houbl’ane at 7, Rue Elie Régnier has tartines, fondue, and raclette and Le Corentin at 2, Place République has a variety of crepes.
While there are hotels in Privas, it is also inexpensive to rent a room
in a house outside of town or rent a chalet or pitch a tent at Ardèche
Camping.
Visit Privas (Rhone-Alpes, Ardeche) travel, gites and hotels
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The Privas hotels listed feature descriptions, guest reviews, ratings, location maps, online booking etc. as well as the 'best-price' guarantee. The search for hotels in Privas is provided by booking.com. General holiday / vacation options- See Rhone-Alpes gites for Privas holiday rentals - Holiday villages in Rhone-Alpes Holidays nearbyLooking for something close by? See a wide choice of hotels, holiday villages and holiday rentals at: VisitSee Visit Privas for places to visit near Privas including: a detailed map, villages in bloom and most beautiful villages DiscussAsk questions or leave a comment about Privas in our Rhone-Alpes forum Airports near PrivasAvignon airport at 97 km Nimes airport at 109 km Privas property for saleSee Rhone-Alpes property for sale
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Places to visit near Privas, France
Explore places of interest within about 70 kilometres on a map at places near Privas.
Some places to visit within 30 km: 
20 km: Alba-la-Romaine (village of character) 27 km: Antraigues-sur-Volane (village of character) 26 km: Aubenas (town) 35 km: Balazuc (Most beautiful village) 26 km: Mirmande (Most beautiful village) 29 km: Vogue (village of character)
See also Privas (version Francais)
