Situated half-way between Valence and Montélimar, Mirmande will not leave you indifferent, such is the beauty of the site it occupies. The name Mirmande comes from Mirus (admirable) and the verb mandarer (to dominate).

In 1948 the Amis de Mirmande Association was formed and, each summer since this date, has organised gatherings for professional and amateur art lovers.

If you follow the steep streets you will come to the 12th century Ste-Foy church in which exhibitions and concerts are held.

This fortified village on a hill slope contained 3000 inhabitants in the 19th century and depended on the silk industry. The village was saved from ruin by the cubist painter André Lhote

The village won 1st prize for the best roofscape in France in 1975 and has benefited from the watchful eye of Haroun Tazieff (seismologist) who became mayor.

When you leave Mirmande you should not miss Cliousclat, 2 kms away, a potter's village with its charming pottery, listed in the Inventaire Supplémentaire des Monuments Historiques and containing a small museum (Histoire de poteries Tel. 33 (0) 4 75 63 15 60).

Mid-May : painters in the streets
Mid-October : rare and collectible plants fair