Valence, France: Focus on an Amazing Cultural Programme! Atrium Hotel

Valence, France: Focus on an Amazing Cultural Programme!

Valence-sur-Rhône is the capital of the Drôme County in the Alpes-Rhône region. It is a young, vibrant city, with a great university founded in 1452. Valence is above all a city of Art and Culture with a rich heritage that you simply have to discover. If you are lucky enough to stay in Valence, don’t miss out on its cultural wonders. We invite you to read the rest of this article in which we tell you all there is to know about Valence’s cultural offer!

The Museum of Valence

Thanks to its renowned university, the city of Valence, France, has a vast heritage of books and ancient objects which have earned it the title of City of Art and History. Only 120 cities in the whole of France ever deserved this award!

The Museum of Valence, also known as the Museum of Art and Archaeology, displays paintings, sculptures, drawings, and decorative art objects that cover a wide historical period. It should be noted that the museum is the city’s former episcopal palace. However, the building has undergone a major extension which was completed in 2013 by the architect Jean-Paul Philippon.

The Museum of Valence offers various exhibitions throughout the year. You can even take part in virtual visits such as the All-Over exhibition by Philippe Favier. This is an exceptional experience that allows the visitor to dive into different rooms to discover the artist’s works and access never-seen-before content.

Valence’s Cultural Offer

The city of Valence has a very rich cultural offer thanks to its various infrastructures:

• The theatre;
• The Museum of Art and Archaeology;
• The Armenian Heritage Centre;
• The Comédie de Valence (drama centre);
• The Lux (multidisciplinary stage);
• The conservatory;
• The cinemas;
• The musical stages;
• The exhibition halls;
• The network of media libraries and libraries.

Valence Cathedral – Cathédrale Saint-Apollinaire de Valence

The city also has historic buildings to visit and discover all year round. The Cathédrale Saint-Apollinaire de Valence is part of this precious historical heritage. It presides over the old town of Valence.

Its architecture corresponds to its function as a pilgrimage church. The story surrounding the building is that of the death of Pope Pius VI. The prelate died in this cathedral and his body was claimed by Rome, which sent the Swiss Guard to fetch the remains. The cake called “Suisse” commemorates these “strange” soldiers and their passage through the city.

The Champ de Mars in Valence

The Champ de Mars is part of the city’s expansion. In the centre of this green esplanade is the Kiosque Peynet. It refers to Valence’s two greatest assets, music, and love. Built in 1862, this kiosk on the banks of the Rhône River was designed by Eugène Poitoux.

The artist Raymond Peynet is said to have drawn a scene showing a violinist playing and a young woman watching and listening lovingly. Every year in front of the bandstand there is a kissing contest and marathon. This event is accompanied by good music, which always plays a part in the city’s celebrations.

Gastronomy in Valence

Valence is one of the most Michelin-starred cities in France. In other words, you will not have any trouble finding a good restaurant in the city. Indeed, gastronomy is one of the greatest advantages of the area. We advise you to try the famous “Suisse”. The “historic” cake will be the perfect accompaniment to your coffee.

And, during your stay, don’t hesitate to taste the wines of the region. The wines of the Drôme are rich and generous. They will leave you with unforgettable memories and they will open your taste buds to let you enjoy any regional dish or cheese even better. Lovers of good wine will be pleasantly surprised to discover the AOC and AOP sparkling wines of the Drôme. Your culinary experience in Valence will not let you down!

Resting in Valence

For an excellent stay in Valence, one must know where to have a good night’s sleep. To rest comfortably after all your excursions in the Drôme, you will need a modern, calm, and welcoming room. The Atrium Hotel in Valence offers you a relaxing environment and quality facilities thanks to its 4-star rating. You will have a pleasant and very cosy stay in an elegant setting and enjoy the best facilities to take your self-care to the next level.