Pays Diois, a natural place

Natural parks and protected landscapes

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The Pays Diois
Natural parks and protected landscapes

Where the spirit of the South meets the first peaks of the Alps

Two natural Parks, two different moods in the Pays Diois! To the North, the Vercors, much loved for its huge open spaces, its cave systems, the freshness of its pines, its vultures, its ibex and the flower strewn alpine meadows in the Réserve Naturelle des Hauts Plateaux, the beating heart of this rocky citadel.

To the South lie the Baronnies which open the gates of Provence through the Roanne gorges with its aromatic and perfumed plants, which imbue the ‘garrigue’ twixt hilltop villages, shale landscapes, and forests of black pine.

Parc Naturel Régional du Vercors

To the North of the Drôme river, the limestone vessel of the Vercors

Spread across the Isère and the Drôme, the Vercors rises as an outpost of the French Alps

The ever-present rocks, including limestone pavements, cliffs, boulders, cave systems and karst formations are all the trade mark of the Vercors

Lying at a cross roads of climatic influences, alpine flora jostles with lavender and dry orchid rich pasture.

On the same slope you may encounter edelweiss, symbol of high mountains, and thyme – typically Mediterranean.

High mountain fauna (ibex) and cliffs (all four species of European vulture), rub shoulders with southern species (cicadas) and even “remnants from the glacial episodes” (black grouse, emblem of the park), as well as large predators (wolf, lynx).

All you need to know about the Parc Naturel Régional du Vercors

Did you know that on its southern ramparts, the park includes 14 villages of the Diois: : Chamaloc, Châtillon-en-Diois, Die, Glandage, Laval d’Aix, Lus-la-Croix-Haute, Marignac-en-Diois, Ponet et Saint-Auban, Romeyer, Saint-Andéol, Saint-Julien-en-Quint, Saint-Roman, Sainte-Croix et Vachères-en-Quint. How to find out more about our villages.

Gaston says Mascot of the Pays-Diois

Parc Naturel Régional des Baronnies Provençales

To the South of the river Drôme, the black shale lands Baronnies Provençales

A shale landscape appears at the end of the Ronne gorges, the visitor is struck by the repeated folds of the rocks which characterise the Baronnies Provençales, to such an extent that the geological cross section from the Serre de l’Âne to La Charce is internationally recognised.

This mountainous Provence, set between the Drôme and the Hautes-Alpes, far from the main thoroughfares, was for a time little known.

With the decline of agriculture and poor soils, the drystone walled cultivation terraces have been abandoned, and the forests of black Austrian pine and oaks have taken over, lending the area its wild character, to the rhythm of its nestled or hilltop villages in the cultivated valleys.

Here, biodiversity is a good fit with polyculture, since the Baronnies Provençales form the most important reserve of messiculous plants (which are exclusively or predominantly found in certain crops) in France.

All you need to know about the Parc Naturel Régional des Baronnies Provençales

Did you know that the northern boundary of the park includes the Diois communes of Arnayon, Chalancon and La Motte-Chalancon.

Gaston says Mascot of the Pays-Diois

Vulnerable natural zones

Understand to better conserve

An Espace Naturel Sensible (ENS) is a remarkable site, of social and heritage interest, known for its ecological, geological or landscape qualities.

The Département of the Drôme commits to preserve, sustainably manage and open to the public all its remarkable sites. 31 sites in the Drôme are classed as ENS, 5 of which are in the Pays Diois.

You may meet eco rangers on these sites (licenced agents of the Département). They ensure that these fragile environments are respected. If you see them, approach them and they will answer any questions you may have!

Discover the Espaces Naturels Sensibles of the Diois

Natura 2000 sites

A rare and fragile nature

12% of the Natura 2000 sites are to be found in the Diois. The Natura 2000 network strives to respond to the collapse of biodiversity by conserving habitats or at-risk species by acting on human activities. Concretely, within the Natura 2000 area, there are no rules above and beyond those that already exist (for example, not touching, picking or destroying protected species and avoiding disturbing them). Nevertheless, it is worth noting that events (sporting, cultural, etc.) or any works carried out should be evaluated as to their effect, to check that they are appropriate.

Discover the Natura 2000 sites

Parc Naturel Régional du Vercors

Parc Naturel Régional des Baronnies Provençales

Vulnerable natural zones

Natura 2000 sites

See also