Montelimar is the second largest city in the Drome department in south-east France. There has been a settlement on the site since the Celtic era, and during the Roman reign over the area the town was rebuilt with typically Roman public buildings. These included aqueducts, a basilica, thermae and a forum. The Adhemar family ruled the area in the middle ages and have left the formidable Chateau des Adhemar as a reminder of their presence.

Montelimar is known as the nougat capital of the world and the sweet treat is a traditional gift for families holidaying in south-eastern France to bring back to friends or family. The town is situated in the Rhone-Alpes region and is perfect for experiencing southern French culture. Nougat, first made in Italy in the 15th century, arrived in Montelimar in the 18th century and since then has continued to be a mainstay of the town’s economy.

A two-day break
Two days is a good amount of time to sample what Montelimar has to offer. Visit the dominating Chateau des Adhemar, right in the centre of Montelimar and less than a ten-minute walk from Hotel Kyriad Montelimar. Also in the heart of the town is the Miniature Museum, featuring a collection of tiny objects from around the globe, and only five minutes from the Kyriad Montelimar Hotel.

A week-long stay
With seven days in Montelimar you will have time to venture slightly further afield. About a half-hour drive from the Kyriad Hotel Montelimar is Bourg Saint Andéol, home to an array of historical sites. Also a 30 minutes' drive from the Kyriad Hotel Montelimar is the Museum of Protestantism in the Dauphine, in La Poet Laval, in a building that once housed the Knights Hospitallers of St John Of Jerusalem.

A family holiday
Take your family to the Museum of European Aviation and Hunting, full of aircraft that won’t fail to wow children and adults alike and less than a ten minutes' drive from the Hotel Kyriad Montelimar. Take a look behind the scenes at Montelimar’s Nougat Arnaud Soubeyran factory and museum and see the world famous treat being made.

Transports
The nearest airports are Lyon Saint Exupéry and Marseille which can all be reached via local transport connections. Montelimar train station is served by the high speed TGV as well as regular train lines. Local buses will take you to any of the towns around Montelimar, though if you are travelling to one of the larger towns the train is faster and more comfortable.

Gastronomy
The Rhône-Alpes region enjoys a varied landscape and its cuisine is similarly varied. Raclette is a simple but traditional cheese dish of the region, while Quenelle, a dish of creamed fish mixed with breadcrumbs and held together with an egg white binding, is something nearby Lyon is famous for. The region also boasts some of western Europe’s finest wines.

Events
For two days at the start of July, Montelimar plays host to the world’s largest Lavender Festival. The town is filled with the sweet-smelling flower which grows in the fields surrounding the town and all things lavender are on display. At the start of August Montelimar holds a medieval fête, casting the town into its historic past.

Interesting fact
Montelimar’s nougat is world famous and is one of the 13 desserts of Provence. It is even mentioned at the start of the Beatles’ song "Savoy Truffle". Holidaymakers used to stop off and buy nougat de Montelimar on their way to or from other holiday spots in the south of France as the town was on the primary route to and from the area.

Useful links
Montelimar tourism - http://www.montelimar-tourisme.com/indexen.php