Puygiron is a small but charming village with excellent views aross the Valdaine plain in the Drome department (Rhone Alpes region) near to Montelimar and on the road to the most beautiful village of Le Poet-Laval
Exploring Puygiron
France This Way review: the position of Puygiron on a hill above the surrounding countryside and the charming houses make the village worth a detour when you on your way to visit Le Poet-Laval: it will not take you long to explore but is well worth a short stroll!
Puygiron is a tiny village that developed around the castle from the 12th century onwards. You will discover some lovely streets and stone houses, many of them featuring interesting architectural features such as the stone masonry detail around the doors and windows.
There is a very attractive small stone chateau on one edge of the village. The chateau was built in the 12th to 13th century and has four towers, one of which was the dungeon. In front of the castle on the Place du Chateau is a 300 year old mullberry tree - the pride of the village and offering a substantial amount of shade.
At the other side of the village is the church and a botanic garden. All around the village there are nice little gardens to admire and attractive planting in communal areas.
All around the top of the village is the road, the Chemin de Ronde from which you can get views in every direction - wonderful.
About 800 metres outside the village and surrounded by a field of lavender are the remain parts of an ancient church, the Chapelle Saint--Bonnet, which is built in an extremely simple style and dates back to the 12th century.
Attractions nearby
Montelimar is very close to Puygiron and is best known for its famous nougat. It also has a castle, the Chateau des Adhemar, which can be visited.
The Abbaye Notre Dame d' Aiguebelle is a 12th century Cistercian Abbey not far away. It has a shop and a room with changing exhibitions which can be visited but the cloister and interior of the abbay are closed to the public.
You will certainly want to visit the charming village of Le Poet-Laval as part of the same visit.
You can find more travel ideas in the Drome guide and the Rhone-Alpes guide.
Photos of Puygiron
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Map of Puygiron and places nearby
Visit near Puygiron with France This Way reviews
Montelimar
The town of Montelimar is famous worldwide for its nougat - be sure to sample some!
Montelimar guide
Le Poet-Laval
The cobbled streets of ancient Le Poet-Laval are pedestrianized, which adds further to the appeal of this lovely village
Le Poet-Laval guide
Viviers
The town of Viviers contains some interesting buildings and a nice view across the Rhone, although the town is also rather neglected in places
Viviers guide
Grignan
As well as the castle that dominates the hillside village of Grignan you will also discover various other places of interest
Grignan guide
Mirmande
The medieval vilage of Mirmande retains its original ramparts and it really is one of the 'most beautiful villages in France'
Mirmande guide
La Garde-Adhemar
Lovely views, a medieval garden, a 12th century roman style church are just some of the highlights in La Garde-Adhemar
La Garde-Adhemar guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Drome
Address: Puygiron, Montélimar 2e Canton, Valence, Rhone-Alpes, 26160, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 44.5425, longitude 4.8489
Plan your visit to Puygiron, Drome
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Abbaye d'Aiguebelle (Montjoyer): religious monument (7 km)
- Viviers: secteur sauvegarde (14 km)
- Abbatiale Sainte-Marie (Cruas): religious monument (15 km)
- Mirmande: most beautiful village (17 km)
- Jardin des herbes: remarkable garden (18 km)
- Eglise de Saint Michel (La Garde-Adhemar): religious monument (18 km)
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame (Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux): religious monument (22 km)
- La Ferme aux crocodiles: zoo or wildlife park (24 km)
- Crest: recommended detour (25 km)
- Nyons: recommended detour (31 km)
- Grotte de Saint-Marcel: site of natural beauty (34 km)
- Vogue: most beautiful village (34 km)
The French version of this page is at Puygiron (Francais)