Château de Montélimar

About the museum

Perched on the heights of Montélimar, the castle bears witness to the power of the Adhémar family, who gave the town its name. Around 1175, Géraud Adhémar had a princely palace built here, the richly decorated logis. At the end of the 12th century, the brothers Géraud and Lambert, co-lords of Montélimar, became rivals: the site then split into two fortresses, the so-called “old” castle being completed by a square tower and an enclosure.

During the Wars of Religion, the town endured several sieges. From 1588, a citadel was built on the orders of the Duke of Lesdiguières, leader of the Protestants of the Dauphiné, and royal troops were quartered there from 1623. In 1791, the castle became a county jail, which closed in 1926 when Montélimar lost its status as a sub-prefecture.

The old castle was listed as a historic monument in 1889, then the Narbonne tower and the town curtain wall in 1938. Acquired by the Drôme Department, it was restored and opened to the public in 1983. It was a centre of contemporary art from 2000 to 2016; since then it has offered a playful visit trail devoted to the Middle Ages.

Highlights

• Lordly residence and Romanesque chapel
• Wall walk with a 360° panorama over Montélimar
• More than 20 games and activities on the Middle Ages, including treasure hunts and augmented reality
• “Codes fantômes” digital treasure hunt
• Former citadel, later prison

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours de visite du château – Self-guided route through the residence, chapel and lower courtyard with more than 20 games and activities on the Middle Ages.

Founded

1983

Operated by

EPCC Châteaux de la Drôme (Département de la Drôme)

Admission & discounts

Prices shown are for self-guided visits. Also free for holders of a tour guide card, the Clef des Châteaux card or the annual pass. For a full-price ticket bought at Montélimar, a reduced rate applies at the castles of Grignan or Suze-la-Rousse within 30 days. Payment methods: bank card (except American Express), cash, cheques, ANCV holiday vouchers, chèque culture, Pass Région and Top Dep’Art (for regular visits).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The castle, a historic monument, is currently difficult for people with reduced mobility to access; a first phase of works has been launched for gradual accessibility. The castle advises contacting it before the visit (leschateaux@ladrome.fr, +33 4 75 00 62 30). The trail offers tactile experiences.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities: not available

Playful trail designed with children: board and skill games, models, augmented reality, sound environments, digital treasure hunt for teenagers. Activities and themed staging during school holidays. Metal strollers and baby carriers are not allowed on the trail: left at reception, baby carriers lent depending on availability. No baby changing table; a quiet corner can be set up at reception.

Getting there & parking

The castle sits on the heights of the town centre, near the Chapelle des Carmes, reachable on foot via Rue Montant au château or via the Plateau de Narbonne (10 to 15 minutes from the centre). By car: motorway A7, exit 17 Montélimar nord or 18 Montélimar sud, then follow “cimetière” towards the castle. Electric vehicle charging points; access by bike possible, the ViaRhôna runs nearby.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Coat check: not available
• Lockers: not available

No restaurant on site; the town centre is a 5-minute walk away. Drink and snack vending machine at the reception. No cloakroom or lockers. Eating is forbidden in the castle, but the park is suitable for picnics. Animals not allowed in the castle.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit