Discover Valence: Canals, Parks and Architectural History

Explore Valence through a range of themes: open canals, historic buildings, a central green space and views across several landscapes. When choosing a hotel, it is worth first deciding what you want to focus on during your stay: will your explorations of the city mainly take in architectural history and the old town, or are you more interested in waterways and green spaces, as well as a cycling route?

Canals and routes

The Canaux de Valence comprise almost 17 kilometres of open canals and provide a habitat with remarkable biodiversity among both plants and animals. As well as its built heritage, water and nature are defining features of the city.

For cyclists, the Tain-l’Hermitage–Valence section of the ViaRhôna is relevant: it reaches the Épervière site in Valence. The Parcours Jouvet / Épervière offers a separate distance and travel-time reference. Depending on the route you choose, it is 5 to 6 kilometres long and takes about 30 minutes by bicycle. These figures answer different planning questions: the distance varies according to the route, while the cycling time is only approximate.

You can explore Valence’s historic centre through the old town’s lanes, using a city map to discover the city. If the map is important for your preparations, check which edition you have: map editions can change.

Architectural history in Valence

Valence Cathedral of Saint-Apollinaire is one of the city’s oldest buildings. Pope Urban II consecrated it on 5 August 1095; it has been listed as a historic monument since 1869. The consecration and listing mark two widely separated milestones in the building’s history.

Another landmark is Le Pendentif, a funerary monument built in 1548 in the cathedral cloister for Canon Mistral. In 1840, it was among the first monuments in France to be classified as historic monuments. The dates refer to different events: the construction of the tomb and its early classification.

La Maison des Têtes also connects architectural history with a present-day cultural purpose. It was built at the beginning of the 16th century by Antoine De Dorne, a university professor and consul of Valence. Today, the building houses Valence’s Centre for the Interpretation of Architecture and Heritage.

Green space and views

Parc Jouvet is a seven-hectare green space in the heart of Valence. It has held the “Jardin remarquable” designation since 2006. This central urban green space adds a distinct feature to the cityscape alongside its historic buildings and canals.

A different perspective is available from a viewing point at the Musée de Valence – Art et Archéologie: the 360-degree view extends across the Rhône Valley, the Ardèche and the Vercors. While Parc Jouvet is a single green space, the view from the museum takes in several named landscapes.

Getting your bearings during your stay

Key transport and communication routes for Valence include the Rhône River, the A7 motorway, National Route 7 and the Paris–Marseille TGV line. These routes cover river, road and rail connections, providing a framework for planning your own journey.

When looking for a hotel in Valence, the kind of trip you have planned can help guide your choice: architectural history, the old town and the museum offer a different focus from canals, the park and the cycling route.

Discover more destinations: Beaumont-En-Diois, Nyons, Soyans, Beauregard-Baret, Vinsobres, Valdrôme, Salles-Sous-Bois, Autichamp

For the wider travel overview: Drôme.