Ideal Palace of Postman Cheval

April 1879. Ferdinand Cheval, a rural postman aged 43 at the time, stumbles upon a stone so bizarre on his tour that it awakens a dream. True self-taught, he will devote 33 years of his life to building alone a dream palace in his vegetable garden, inspired by nature, the postcards and the first illustrated magazines that he distributes. Alone, misunderstood, he inscribed on his monument "the work of one man". His dream palace was completed in 1912.

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In the heart of a lush garden, he imagines an uninhabitable palace, populated by an incredible bestiary - octopus, doe, caiman, elephant, pelican, bear, birds... But also giants, fairies, mythological characters or even waterfalls, architectures from all continents. An architectural work as unclassifiable as it is universal.

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Unique in the world, the Ideal Palace has inspired artists for more than a century. Independent of any artistic movement, built without any architectural rule, the Ideal Palace has won the admiration of the surrealists, has been recognized as a work of brut art. It was classified in 1969 as a Historic Monument by André Malraux, then Minister of Culture, under the title of naive art.

City of chocolate

The Cité du Chocolat Valrhona, located on the historic site of the chocolate factory, reveals the backstage of Grand Chocolat to the general public and professionals. During a gourmet and surprising stroll through the heart of the City, you will discover all the secrets of chocolate making.

Gourmets and gourmets, amateurs or professionals, come and live a magical experience with this exceptional ingredient that is chocolate! From cocoa beans to the creations of great chefs, come explore, smell and taste chocolate in all its forms.

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A large boutique is located in the heart of the Cité du Chocolat, as it was in the 1950s. Enjoy a preview of the brand's new products, discover the completeness of the Valrhona range and its book space, find products souvenirs, baking utensils signed Debuyer, cookies and marshmallows made with Valrhona chocolate...

Ardèche train

Marvel at the rhythm of the steam! Travel back in time on historic trains. The railway line, carved into the side of the cliff, offers a spectacle of the Gorges du Doux, inaccessible other than by trains!

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Several routes are available depending on the period: the Mastrou, the Gorges Train, the Market Train, the Boucieu Vapeur, the Lamastre Express.

Peaugres Safari

In your own car, escape in complete safety to distant lands and go on an adventure for a Safari car, unique in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, to meet the wild animals of Africa and the American continent.

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Elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, hippos, ostriches… and many species of antelope… live here together in perfect harmony on the edge of a typical African village.

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A few turns of the wheels further, the scenery is total. Here you are in a North American forest where around thirty black bears and twenty massive and impressive bison coexist. Evolving in total freedom on a 13 hectare wooded park, bears and bison wander between bushes and ponds and do not hesitate to come and greet visitors, well sheltered in their car.

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1 hour of travel through 2 continents where borders are erased in front of the great spectacle. That of animal life, free and natural . Magical moments and encounters rich in emotions! Wild animals benefit from exceptional living conditions . The Safari de Peaugres is the only zoo in Europe to offer 13 hectares of forest to black bears, which can thus express natural behaviors that you will only see in Peaugres ... or in North America!

Vienne

Located at the heart of an impressive communication hub, Vienna and the Viennese Country are an integral part of a particularly dynamic territory from an economic and cultural point of view.

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Vienna is one of the oldest cities in the region. From the 5th century BC, some human settlements have been observed thanks to archaeological excavations. The Roman Empire made its glory and its wealth.... From that time, Vienna has one of the richest archaeological heritage in France.

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The first Christian communities left a large number of religious buildings such as the churches of Saint-Pierre, Saint-André-le-Bas and Saint-André-le-Haut, or the former primatial cathedral of Saint-Maurice, flagship of Romanesque and Gothic art.

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In Vienna there is a market every day of the week, except Monday. The Viennese markets are an undeniable tourist asset.

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Created in 1981 with an evening at the start, Jazz à Vienne has become the first jazz festival in France, and the first cultural event in Rhône-Alpes. Each year, it brings together more than 215,000 festival-goers at the Ancient Theater and enjoys international fame with both the public and artists.

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Today, the festival lasts a fortnight and takes over mythical places in the city. From the Antique Theater, setting for the festival, the Italian-style theater in Vienne, for the Club de Minuit, the Cybele gardens, rich in ancient remains... From noon to 3 am for two weeks, Jazz à Vienne invites festival-goers to live all jazz.