Dreaming of a getaway to a charming, historic village in the South of France? Enter La Garde-Adhémar. This stunning hilltop village was one of my favorite places I visited on my travels around Europe last year! And although it’s small and quiet, it’s a wonderful place to base yourself for exploring more of the Drôme Sud Provence region. Here’s everything you need to know about La Garde-Adhémar in France.
Where is La Garde-Adhémar?
La Garde-Adhémar is located in the Drôme Sud Provence region in France. It’s south of Lyon and north of Marseille, about halfway in-between the two. Its location makes for a perfect spot to stop when traveling through this part of France! It’s one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages in France).
How to Get to La Garde-Adhémar
You’ll definitely want to have a car, as there’s no public transport here. There’s a large free car park for visitors just outside the village, which is just a few steps away from the walls of the city. La Garde-Adhémar is only a 10-minute drive from Pierrelatte. Pierrelatte has easy train access as it’s on the direct line between Lyon and Marseille. So if you don’t have your own vehicle, you could get to Pierrelatte and take a short taxi ride to the village. Lyon or Marseille would be the most convenient airports to fly into – I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
What to Do in La Garde-Adhémar
There’s a few main things to see in the village itself. Saint-Michel Church is a classified Historic Monument, dating back to the 12th century and showcasing typical Romanesque architecture. There’s a gorgeous view over the gardens and countryside from the church – time it right and you’ll see a beautiful sunset! The Herb Garden is another must-see spot in the village. There are over 160 species of plants here, so it’s worth a wander.
The main square is the heart of the village, with a small shop and two restaurants here. Probably the best thing to do in the village is to simply wander around all the pretty streets. The classic stone buildings and cobblestones give the whole place a charming atmosphere, as if you took a step back in time.
If you want to explore more of the countryside, there’s a short loop walk you can do from the village around the outskirts. There are phenomenal views of the village itself from here! It’ll take about an hour or so, depending on how often you stop for photos! This is where you’ll want to go to see the spectacular lavender fields, if you’re visiting in early summer.
What to Do Around La Garde-Adhémar
Don’t miss a visit to the Val des Nymphs if you’re in the area. This is a Romanesque chapel, about 2km from La Garde-Adhémar, which is located on an ancient pagan site – formerly dedicated to the goddesses of fertility. It’s easy to walk here from the village.
There are so many amazing things to see and do in Drôme and the surrounding area – La Garde-Adhémar is a great location to base yourself for exploring the region! Visit Montélimer for its castle and nougat, Grignan for its magnificent palace, and Viviers for another charming small town steeped in history. If you want to get outside, you can’t miss a visit to Gorges de l’Ardèche – you can drive along a route with plenty of viewpoints, but there are great hikes you can do here, too. The Trogladyte Village of Barry is another destination for hiking. You can see the ancient cave village (abandoned in the 1900s) and soak up excellent countryside views.
Where to Stay in La Garde-Adhémar
Staying in the village itself will be a truly unique experience, although there’s several accommodation options that are just outside the village walls. Here’s my picks for where to stay.
LA GARDE ADHEMAR, L’escalier Médiéval
This would be my top choice for La Garde-Adhémar, a pretty one-bedroom apartment that’s located inside the village itself. Note that it has a kitchenette as opposed to a full kitchen, but there’s air conditioning (a must in France in summer!), a cute outdoor terrace, and super friendly hosts.
Book your stay at LA GARDE ADHEMAR, L’escalier Médiéval now!
Mas Bella Cortis
Mas Bella Cortis is a B&B just past Val des Nymphs outside of the village. The historic property has plenty of charm as well as modern amenities, such as an outdoor pool, air conditioning, and a sun terrace.
Book your stay at Mas Bella Cortis now!
Les Esplanes
This B&B just outside the village has comfortable rooms in a renovated farmhouse, an outdoor swimming pool, a pretty garden, and a nice terrace for soaking up the sun. Guests highly rate the breakfast, with a selection of local products.
Book your stay at Les Esplanes now!
Gîte La Voute
This is where I stayed during my week in La Garde-Adhémar, a one-bedroom historic house on a quiet street in the village. While it is somewhere I’d recommend, the bed was very uncomfortable and for this reason I don’t know if I’d return. There also isn’t any phone signal inside the actual apartment, although the wifi works well. The location in the village is superb, and there’s a full kitchen, washing machine and dryer, and air conditioning.
Book your stay at Gîte La Voute now!
I loved my visit to La Garde-Adhémar. Staying in the historic hilltop village for a week made me feel like I was living in a French fairytale. The village itself is quiet and not too big – you could see most of it in an hour or so – it’s the perfect spot for exploring more of Drôme and the South of France. I hope this post helps planning your trip!
Have you visited La Garde-Adhémar or Drôme before?
You might also like my posts:
What to See and Do in Beautiful Drôme Sud Provence, France
The Best Daytrips from Tourlouse (With Public Transportation)
10 Tips for Traveling in Southern France
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