Why are there so-called « marmenteaux* » pines in the Vallon de la Jarjatte?
A remarkable stand of Scots Pine is to be found on the left banks of the Buëch river.
These pines, which can be several hundred years old are of unusual shape and size.
A scientific study is currently being carried out to understand the reasons for their great age.
*Marmenteau means a remarkable tree which cannot be cut down.
Why are the box bushes in the Gorges des Gâts trimmed?
People in the Pays Diois say that in the Middle Ages, the feudal lord of the area was so keenly awaiting the arrival of his betrothed that he had all the box bushes trimmed so that her arrival would make a magical impression on her.
A more mundane version is that a road mender who enjoyed gardening started to trim the box bushes on the roadside between the two World Wars. Another road mender did the same on the road up to the col de Menée.
Since then the tradition has been carried on just for the visual pleasure it gives!
Why the square section tree trunks at Treschenu-Creyers ?
The Pins de Tussac bear witness to the fashion for hot pine resin baths which were popular in the Diois between 1870 and 1970.
In the Salières baths in Die, the steam from the resin contained in the bark of the mountain pines was reputed to cure rheumatism, bronchitis and migraines.
It seems that alternative medicine is a tradition in the Diois!
Why are there the remains of a pine stand at Valdrôme?
Here, the north-facing elevation and the shady setting have allowed this pine forest to survive, a rare survival of the glacial era in our southern latitudes.
In the 19th century the growing need for wood fuel and construction materials by the Valdrôme population of some 1200 people nearly wiped the forest out.
The pines were only saved thanks to the vigilance of two local forest rangers.
Why is there a wood dedicated to Jean Giono at Châtillon-en-Diois?
This place fired the imagination of the writer when he was staying in the area.
Today, along the paths and over the little bridges, identify the trees and enjoy the shade of a wood planted by the children from the surrounding schools in memory of the writer who sprang to the defence of trees.
“In the woods you can hear noises that resemble speech”. Jean Giono
