Welcome to Saint Paul Trois Châteaux. It is located in the southern part of Drôme and now that you are here, you are actually in Drôme Provençale.
Here you can enjoy clear skies, breathtaking landscapes and delicate and tasty food - in other words, a lot of the finer things in life and we are sure you will enjoy your stay. In this area, also called Le Tricastin, you will find a special treasure, one that many people in the world envy us for having. This is the famous Black Diamond, the black truffle of the Tricastin. You simply have to taste it! The magnificent scenery of the Tricastin is to be enjoyed all year round. Here you can see a great variety of colours, experience a variety of smells from the plants, the fruit and the wines, as well as from the truffles. Above all, you can experience and enjoy the high quality and distinctiveness of provençal cuisine. You may be surprised to see so many beds and breakfast located on truffle land, lavender fields or near vineyards. This is because their owners wish to share their attachment to all these good things in life and offer you a warm welcome. This warm hospitality has been inherited from the Romans and the owners work hard to nurture it. The locals spend a great deal of time working on their vineyards, olive trees, truffle lands and other produce.
The Exceptional Heritage of Saint Paul Trois Châteaux.
Saint Paul is a city steeped in history. In Roman times it was elevated to the rank of ‘civitas’ and later became a Gallo-Roman city called ‘Augusto-Tricastinorum’ (from where the name Tricastin comes). In the Middle Ages it was known as a ‘cathedral town’. Later, the archaeological richness of the City allowed it to create a museum of archaeology, which exhibits all the beautiful treasures found over the centuries in the Tricastin.
The Black Diamond and the Treasures of the Tricastin
The Tricastin is the region that produces the most black truffles in the whole of France. This most precious ‘treasure’ can literally be found under your feet! Black truffles are found near mature or even young oak trees and trained dogs are used to search for them usually between mid December and mid March. The latin name is Tuber Melanosporum, by which it is also know. Brillat-Savarin, the most famous French chef, wrote that the truffle was ‘the black diamond of the cuisine’. George Sand described it as ‘an enchanting apple’.
The chefs here really know the local products superbly. Truffles, lambs, guinea fowls, venison, fine herbs and picodons all become tasty dishes in their hands and when a glass of Tricastin wine is added, you can be sure of a tremendous meal. You will surely love living here!
Taste and buy our Tricastin products in the markets
- On Monday mornings in Tulette
- On Tuesday mornings in Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux
- On Thursday mornings in La-Baume-de-Transit, Montségur-sur-Lauzon et Rochegude.
- On Saturday mornings in Saint-Restitut
- On Sunday mornings in Valaurie and the black truffle of Tricastin market in Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux from mid-December to mid-March, from 10 am to 12 am, place de l'Esplan.
A Unique Art De Vivre
To say that Saint Paul loves sport would be an understatement – it absolutely adores it!
There has been a genuine love affair between Saint Paul and Bicycle Riding for a long time, as is evidenced by the fact that it has hosted the Paris to Nice race, the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré, and especially the Tour De France. In 2012 Saint Paul will, for the second year running, be a departure stage for the Tour De France. So just as the world of sports has fallen under our spell, so will you!
The hike that will take you up to the Sainte Juste chapel will probably be the one that will impress you the most. When you get there, you will have a breathtaking 360 degree view over the whole of the Tricastin. You will be able to see what is called ‘the Giant of Provence’, namely Le Mont Ventoux, as well as the Dent de Retz, Clansayes, and La Garde-Adhémar, perched on the top of the hill. It will take you about an hour to get there from the City Centre and is suitable for both adults and children. Do not hesitate to ask for the leaflet at the Tourist Information Centre and remember that there are other hikes, strolls and activities that can be undertaken in order to enjoy the richness of our region.
Do you want to spend your holidays in Drôme Provençale with family or among friends?
If you do, then just drop off your suitcases in the Tricastin and come and enjoy all we have to offer.
The Art of Living Well
