Conquering the highest peaks in the Drôme
in the Vallon de la Jarjatte at Lus-La-Croix-Haute
This little unspoilt natural circus is listed for its picturesque mountain scenery – an assemblage of cliffs and rock pinnacles which emerge from the pine forest and offer an unusual layered scene.
An Alpine part of the Parc Naturel Régional du Vercors, dominated by the Rocher Rond, perched at 2453 metres altitude and one of the highest peaks in the Drôme.
Drink at the source of the Drôme
At la Bâtie des Fonds
To the sound of rushing water, the visitor is invited to discover the source of the Drôme along a well-interpreted route at la Bâtie des Fonds.
The banks of the Drôme river, a host for beavers, cut through the Pays Diois. The river forms the spine of the Pays Diois.
The clear waters flow in full freedom, without dams or any other artificial barrier, which makes it the last wild river in the Alps.
Glide with vultures around the cirque d’Archiane
Near Châtillon-en-Diois
The vultures reintroduced into the heart of this veritable natural limestone citadel, through the efforts of the Parc Naturel Régional du Vercors, have made it their fiefdom.
Kings of the sky, with their three-metre wingspan, they now glide around as the guardian angels of our mountains.
The Sentier des Vautours ensures you can observe the masters of this area.
Travel back through the mists of time at the Serre de l’Âne
At la Charce
Listed as a World Geological Heritage site, this reference site, where the rocks in the form of inclined strata are clearly visible, constitutes a record of the last five million years of the history of our planet.
You can clearly see in the rocks the transition between two geological eras.
Understanding the past whilst examining the present is a challenge which can be met all along this educational trail.
Getting lost in the rocky chaos of the Claps
At Luc-en-Diois
The collapse of the Pic de Luc created a spectacular heap of huge limestone boulders, thrown all over the place by mother nature.
This listed site offers up its jumble of rocks to the visitor.
The Saut de la Drôme rushes through this outstanding site in huge cascades, whilst further downstream there are pools suitable for swimming.
Forget everything else up on the traditional pastures of the Sapey mountain
At Aucelon
For lovers of nature, this hidden away site reveals a well-preserved biodiversity and a mosaic of particularly rich habitats, conserved by Natura 2000.
Walkers will find amazing 360° views from the ridges over the 3 Becs massif, the Mont Ventoux, the Baronnies, the Roanne valley and the Dévoluy.
Counting flowers in the Vallon de Combeau
At Chatillon-en-Diois
In the realm of bee orchids. This spring jewel becomes a carpet of flowers.
It’s also the entry point to the Réserve Naturelle des Hauts Plateaux du Vercors, the most important in metropolitan France.
17, 000 hectares without any roads or village, resonating to the call of the marmots.
A wild and virgin landscape of a rare beauty, dedicated to the grazing of flocks and walking.
Let your mind run riot at the Sucettes de Borne
At Glandage
These elegant geological curiosities take the form of long thin blades of rock which emerge above the fine woods, next to a mountain stream.
These figures were modelled by time and erosion. You can let your imagination decide what you read in the shapes.
‘Se bouleguer’ (Occitan) at the Marais des Bouligons
At Beaurières
The remnants of a former lake, this marsh is the largest wetland in the Drôme and is unique in a mountain context.
A raised decking path, leading through the rushes, makes it possible to discover this environment whilst keeping one’s feet dry and respecting the fragile nature of the site.
A paradise for dragon flies, butterflies, amphibians and birds. Don’t forget your binoculars.
Allow yourselves to be rocked by the waters of the Roanne gorges
It required all the skills the civil engineering of the 19th century could muster, plus human sweat and toil, to reach this unchanged area, in building the remarkable sinuous road between St Benoit and St Nazaire le Désert…so ‘bonne route’!
And, as is the case with all mountains, rivers flow out of them. The Roanne boasts fine swirling turquoise rock pools which invite very private bathing.
You will have to search out these places – we can’t tell you everything!
