Viviers
Discover the town of Viviers
The former capital of the Vivarais region, the town has been the bishopric of the Ardèche since the 5th century and is also a “remarkable heritage site“. This doubly fortified medieval town is home to a wealth of architectural treasures. Here, it’s the stones that tell the story, bearing witness to a prestigious past spanning almost 2000 years of history.
Take a stroll through the picturesque, shady lanes and discover the vaulted passageways, simple houses with Romanesque and Gothic doors and windows, Renaissance facades and 18th-century town houses. You’ll be amazed by the imposing façade of the Maison des Chevaliers, once owned by Noël Albert, a merchant who made his fortune trading salt on the Rhône, but who was also a lover of the arts. This antique-style façade was rebuilt in the 16th century. Don’t miss the former bishop’s palace. This prestigious monument boasts an Italian salon, the bishop’s reception room covered in murals. Built in the 18th century as a private mansion, it became the town hall in 1986.
The religious quarter of Viviers
At the foot of the rock, surrounded by a second, virtually intact system of ramparts, is the canons’ quarter. This religious quarter overlooks the Rhône on one side and the secular city on the other.
You enter through the porte de la gâche, the only gateway between the lower town (the commercial centre) and the upper town (the bishop’s residence) until 1660.
Old canon houses surround the Cathédrale Saint-Vincent, France’s smallest working cathedral. Viviers cathedral is a blend of Romanesque (bases of the nave), Flamboyant Gothic (choir) and 18th century styles. Inside, you can admire five tapestries from the Manufacture royale des Gobelins.
In the upper town, before heading back down, stop off at the Chateauvieux belvedere for a superb 360° view over the roofs of Viviers and the Rhône.
A short footpath starts near the RD86 and the town hall (south roundabout) and takes 30 minutes of leisurely walking to the statue of La Joannade. After a few hairpin bends, you’ll discover a breathtaking view of Viviers, the river and the pre-Alps.
The statue of the Archangel Saint-Michel to the south of the town overlooks the Rhône opposite the Donzère gorge. It was erected by the town after it escaped the 1944 bombings. It’s also a beautiful vantage point for those who want to take a short climb through the garrigue and among the groves (park at the new Saint-Michel cemetery).
Getting to Viviers via the Rhône
If you have your own boat, take a break in Viviers by mooring up at the marina. 18 moorings await you! The port also welcomes cruise ships.
