Montelimar (26 Drome, Rhone-Alpes)is best known for the production of Nougat - the rather exotic confection made from sugar, Provencal honey, egg white, vanilla, roasted almonds,and pistachios. There is even an "Appellation Controllée" for Montelimar Nougat which specifies the percentage of almonds and honey which makes this nougat distinctive.
However on 25 May 2006 the town will celebrate aromatic plants in all their guises, with Garlic (l'Ail) taking the place of honour. The local producers even have their own "Guild" - the Confrérie de l’Ail de la Drôme.!
With displays and demonstrations, there will also be a free market with stalls showing and selling honey, lavender, garlic, tapenade, onion jam, garlic sauce, aubergine caviar., fruit, local goats cheese (picadon) - and I guess nougat!
See www.montelimar-tourisme.com
Montelimar is also regarded as one of the gateways to Provence, and if you are making the long journey down the A7 (Autoroute du Soleil) from the north, Montelimar does tend to mark the beginning of the hot sunny and bright climes of Provence and southern France. But for that reason most of us keep on the autoroute without detouring into the town, nor the neighbouring Ardeche region for its dramatic valleys and canyons - ideal for hiking, canoeing and other less sedentary sports.
