Valence (France)

Valence is a Rhone River cruise port and capital city of Drome department (Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, southeastern France). By population (around 60,000, metro around 130,000) the city is ranked region's 5th largest. The town is located approx 100 km (62 mi) south of Lyon, and is on the TVG railway connecting directly Paris with Marseille (on Mediterranean Sea).

Due to its convenient location between Vercors mountains and Provence, the town attracts numerous tourists. The distance between Valence and Paris is approx 480 km (300 mi). The city is served by 2 highways (A7, A49), trunk road (RN7), high-speed TGV trans (Paris-Marseille), river Rhone (as inland waterway). Valence has a marina (serving yachts, cruise ships, hotel barges, pleasure boats), commercial river port, 2 train stations (Valence-Ville, Valence-TGV), Valence-Chabeuil Airport (domestic flights). Local economy is based on agriculture, metallurgy, engineering, electronics.