Viviers
Viviers is located in the southern-central part of the Ardeche department, a few kilometres south of Montelimar.
It is a town that creates mixed impressions, with several very interesting highlights to discover - but they are not always presented in the best light. A town waiting to be discovered and improved perhaps.
Start your visit in the streets around the Cathedral of Saint-Vincent, which is the centre of the old town. Dating from the 12th century to the 18th century the cathedral has some very fine features including its belltower and campanile, and the tapestries inside.
There is quite an extensive warren of narrow streets, with buildings that are sometimes very carefully renovated, other times rather derelict looking. All are interesting to explore, and a marked walk can be followed.
In the heart of the old town there is a particularly impressive 16th century renaissance building called the House of the Chevaliers, with a great deal of fine carving and ornamentation on the facade.
Unfortunately the building itself is looking very neglected - broken windows, boarded up doors - which is a tragedy for such a lovely building. Hopefully someone will take it in hand at some point (I hear that plans are underway)!
One feature I enjoyed is seeing a few houses painted in faded pastel colours, less common in the northern Ardeche, and making you feel as if you have arrived in the south of France!
Also to discover is the town hall, previously a priest's palace dating from the 18th century; an arched bridge across the river; and the remains of the town ramparts. There are several other notable 17th-18th century grand houses around the town.
Behind the old town (just behind the cathedral) there is a broad view across the roofs of the town, and a far-reaching view across the surrounding hills and distant mountains and the Rhone river that passes by the town, as well as a large statue of the madonna standing on the hill above the town.
The view is slightly less idyllic than it might be because it also includes a distant power station and cement factory but it's well worth taking a look.
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The Viviers hotels listed feature descriptions, guest reviews, ratings, location maps, online booking etc. as well as the 'best-price' guarantee. The search for hotels in Viviers is provided by booking.com. General holiday / vacation options- See Rhone-Alpes gites for Viviers 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 Viviers for places to visit near Viviers including: a detailed map, villages in bloom and most beautiful villages DiscussAsk questions or leave a comment about Viviers in our Rhone-Alpes forum Airports near ViviersAvignon airport at 68 km Marseille airport at 129 km Montpellier airport at 128 km Nimes airport at 85 km Viviers property for saleSee Rhone-Alpes property for sale
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Places to visit near Viviers, France
Explore places of interest within about 70 kilometres on a map at places near Viviers.
Some places to visit within 30 km: 
25 km: Aigueze (Most beautiful village) 13 km: Alba-la-Romaine (village of character) 29 km: Mirmande (Most beautiful village) 8 km: Saint-Montan (village of character)
See also Viviers (version Francais)
