Valréas

Discover Valréas, a small Vaucluse town near Grignan

Valréas is the capital of the Enclave des papes, a small part of the Drôme département that also belongs to the Vaucluse département. Located on the left bank of the Coronne river, Valréas is a major agricultural, economic and tourist center.

Château Ripert Tower and Notre-Dame de Nazareth church

Classified as a “green” vacation resort, the town stretches across a plain rich in renowned vineyards and offers a rich heritage to visit: Valréas is dominated by the Château Ripert tower (12th century) and the imposing Romanesque church of Notre-Dame de Nazareth (12th century).

Château de Simiane

You'll visit the Château de Simiane, which today houses the town hall. This magnificent residence (17th and 18th centuries) is open to prestigious exhibitions and boasts superb collections of rare books (including works dating from the beginnings of printing before 1500).

Beautiful old houses

The town has preserved a number of fine 17th and 18th century residences from its past, to be found in the Grand'rue, Rue de l'Horloge and Rue de l'Hôtel de Ville. As you stroll through the streets of Valréas, make a short detour to the Pénitents Blancs chapel to admire its ceiling inlaid with colorful rosettes.

The Cartonnage and Printing Museum

Those with an interest in printing can visit the Musée du Cartonnage et de l'Impressionie, a 3-storey museum illustrating the various printing techniques and methods used to manufacture cardboard boxes since the 19th century. It's worth noting that Valréas is now France's leading cardboard manufacturer... so they know what they're talking about!

Tourism: festivities in Valréas

If you don't like crowds, stay away from Valréas from June 23 to 25. On the other hand, if you like festivities, music and spectacle, come to the fête du petit Saint Jean, where more than 350 costumed people parade through town. At the beginning of August, you can attend the famous lavender corso, and of course, at Christmas, you'll find the monumental Provencal crib in the Notre Dame de Nazareth church.

The pretty Valréas market

There are two weekly markets in Valréas: Wednesday mornings on the Place de la République and Saturday mornings at the monument aux Morts traffic circle. The Saturday morning market is very pleasant and we recommend it.

Our map of Valréas

To find your way around Valréas, you can use our interactive map of the commune. It shows all the town's points of interest (town hall, church, tourist office...) as well as our recommendations for accommodation. You'll be able to locate them before you book your vacation or weekend in Valréas.