Allex is a medieval village perched on a rocky outcrop in the Drôme, with a rich cultural heritage. Its old stairway lanes include covered passages known as “andrones”. The brochure “Allex Pas à Pas” describes eleven walks through lanes and paths. Old photographs, anecdotes, maps and explanations accompany the descriptions. This means that, alongside the routes, local history and images are also part of what visitors can discover.
Lanes, castle remains and village history
The Motte de la Tour Ronde preserves the remains of a castle associated with the bishops of Valence in 1318. This offers a different way to explore local history than the “andrones”: the motte points to castle remains and a specific historical connection, while the covered passages highlight the layout of the old stairway lanes. Those interested in historic sites can therefore find both traces of a castle and a distinctive feature of the village paths.
Collections at MUSAA
MUSAA’s collections include everyday and sacred objects from the traditions of equatorial Africa. These include tools, bowls, seats, weapons, jewellery, masks and statues. The collection thus ranges from objects used in daily life to sacred objects. MUSAA opened in November 2018, making its collections—which had previously been largely unknown to the general public and specialists—accessible. Guided tours, a quiz game and storytelling for children add to the collection experience.
Allow about an hour for a visit to MUSAA. Reservations are required outside opening hours; groups of eight or more are asked to book in advance. These conditions distinguish between visits outside opening hours and the recommended advance booking for larger groups.
Sanctuary and historical use
The Saint Joseph sanctuary in Allex is considered a place of welcome and pilgrimage. A large pilgrimage takes place there every year on the third Sunday in May. If you would like to attend, plan your visit for that Sunday.
The Maison St Joseph is housed in a château built by the La Tour du Pin family in the 18th century. In 1920, the Congregation of the Holy Spirit acquired the château and developed it into a minor seminary for the training of missionaries. Here, the building’s history and its later institutional use can be viewed in chronological order: the château’s construction was followed by its acquisition and conversion into a seminary.
Nature, wildlife and activities
The Ramières nature reserve is one of France’s 20 river nature reserves. Guided tours and public nature events exploring flora and fauna are held throughout the year. La Gare des Ramières is the reserve’s visitor centre, where families can learn about the environment, species and habitats of the area. There are also opportunities to get active, including mountain biking, road cycling and hiking. A themed trail and a botanical educational trail offer additional points of interest. The activities and trails differ in focus—from cycling and hiking to exploring themes and plants.
The Aquarium des Tropiques offers a different way to discover wildlife. The visit takes you through six world regions and also includes collections of insects, preserved butterflies and shells. The aquarium features several hundred species of tropical freshwater fish in 35 tanks with a capacity of up to 50,000 litres. Educational workshops and a family quiz booklet for children add to the experience. While the Ramières reserve focuses on flora, fauna and habitats, the aquarium turns the spotlight on tropical freshwater fish and other collections. You can choose which nature themes to focus on according to your interests.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Jean-En-Royans, Puy Saint Martin, Montréal-Les-Sources, Buis-Les-Baronnies, Montjoux, Hauterives, Margès, Condorcet.
For the regional travel overview: Drôme.
