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MONTÉLIMAR

Commune of Montélimar
Région Rhône-Alpes
Département Drôme
Arrondissement Valence
Canton Chief town of 2 cantons
Intercommunality
Mayor Franck Reynier (2001-2008)
Land area¹ 46.81 km²
Population² 31,344 (1999)
Population density 669 pers./km² (1999)
Altitude 56 m - 213 m (avg. 81 m)
INSEE/Postal code 26198 / 26200
1 French Land Register data, which exclude estuaries, and lakes, ponds, and glaciers larger than 1 km².
2 Not counting those already counted in another commune (such as students and military personnel).

Coordinates: 44° 33' 34" N, 04° 45' 06" E

Montélimar (Latin name: Acumum) is a commune of southern France in the Drôme département. It is the second largest town in the département after Valence

The site where the city of Montélimar nowadays stands has been populated since the Celtic era. It was reconstructed during the Roman reign, including a basilica, aqueducts, spas and a forum. The family Adhémar reigned over the city in the Middle Age and built a castle which dominates the city silhouette even today.

It was the birthplace of the French navigator Louis de Freycinet and the hometown of Émile Loubet, President of France from 1899 till 1906, who worked also as the mayor of Montélimar.

Montélimar is widely regarded as the world capital of nougat. The local nougat is one of the 13 desserts of Provence and highly appreciated throughout the country. Travellers used to buy nougat de Montélimar on their way to the south of France (or when returning) as the city is next to the Rhône river and to the primary route N7. Since the construction of the A7 autoroute, many nougat factories have been obliged to close as the tourists no longer take a rest in Montélimar but go around it instead.

Twin cities/towns


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