At the foot of the Coiron massif, in southern Ardèche, stands Alba-la-Romaine, famous for having been the capital of the Helvian people in antiquity. From this glorious past there are still some remains of a Roman theatre, a sanctuary, and a monumental centre to explore, going along a trail which is marked out with information signs.
But Alba-la-Romaine is not only an ancient Romano-Gallic settlement, Alba Helviorum, but also a charming medieval village, with cobbled streets lined with ancient white limestone and black basalt houses, overlooked by an impressive feudal Castle which can be visited from Easter to the beginning of November.