Viviers

Visit Viviers, Rhone-Alpes

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.

Explore Viviers

Start your visit to Viviers 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 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 the faded pastel colours that we associate with Provence and are less common in the northern Ardeche - making you feel that you have arrived in the south of France!

Also to discover in Viviers are 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 Viviers cathedral) there is a far reaching view across the roofs of the town and across the Rhone river to the distant mountains, 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.

Attractions nearby

You will probably discover Viviers when exploring elsewhere in the Ardeche region. Close by we particularly recommend you visit the picturesque villages at Saint-Montan and Alba-la-Romaine, and of course no visit to the region would be complete without a tour of the Ardeche Gorges starting from Vallon Pont d'Arc.

Photos of Viviers (click any picture to start the gallery)

Tourist classifications for Viviers: 'Historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé);

Suggested places to visit near Viviers, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Pont d'Arc 24km; Vallon Pont d'Arc 25km; Gorges de l'Ardeche 25km; Balazuc 25km; Mirmande 27km; Aubenas 28km; Privas 29km; Provencal Drome 30km; Ailhon 30km; Labeaume 31km; La Roque-sur-Ceze 35km; Joyeuse 36km; Antraigues-sur-Volane 37km; Crest 38km; Jaujac 38km; Orange 40km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Viviers

Viviers tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Eglise de Saint Michel (La Garde-Adhemar) - religious monument (11km) : Jardin des herbes - remarkable garden (11km) : Abbaye d'Aiguebelle (Montjoyer) - religious monument (13km) : Cathédrale Notre-Dame (Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux) - religious monument (16km) : Abbatiale Sainte-Marie (Cruas) - religious monument (20km) : Gorges de l'Ardeche - grand site of france (26km) : Aven d'Orgnac - grand site of france (28km) : Vals-les-Bains - recommended detour (33km) :

French version: see Viviers (Francais)