It’s named after the highly picturesque Drôme River, which cuts east-west across the centre of the county. You can enjoy walking or cycling beside the river, canoeing or rafting on it, or even swimming in it. To the north stands the tremendous natural fortress of the Vercors Mountains.

This area is a Regional Natural Park. In winter, come for the family-friendly ski resorts; in summer, try hiking, riding or mountain-biking across its flower-strewn plateaux.

In the south, the bountiful Drôme Provençale is famed for its lavender fields, olive groves and truffles, its wines, fruit orchards and the nougat of Montélimar.

Drôme is a very sweet county indeed, with enchanting villages and châteaux aplenty, but not too many tourists, so you’ll feel like you’re enjoying a rare treat when holidaying here