Must-see places to visit in Drôme
Discover the most beautiful places in the Drôme
On the border between the Southern Alps and Provence, at the foot of the Vercors, the Drôme Valley, Europe’s last wild torrential river with a particularly rich flora and fauna, stretches all the way to the sunny plains of the Rhône.
In the heart of this valley, between Crest and Die, camping au pays de Saillans is an ideal place for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Perched villages, Romanesque churches, castles and Roman remains make up the region’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
Canoeing or canyoning down the Drôme river or its tributaries, rock-climbing in the Saoû or Vercors forests, flying over varied landscapes in a hot-air balloon, glider or paraglider, climbing in the trees and, of course, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, horse-riding or donkey-riding: all these choices are available to you. amateur or experienced sportsmen and women.
You can also stroll through the vineyardsStop off at a wine cellar to taste a glass of Clairette or Crémant de Die, chat with the winemaker, or discover local produce and gastronomy, such as Picodon (a small goat’s cheese), olive oil, ravioles, “craquants” or orchard fruit.
On the lavender roads, you’ll discover the unique landscapes of Provence’s immense lavender fields, veritable oceans of fragrance swaying in the breeze.
Along the ancient Roman road, the picturesque streets of Saillans, where gold was spun when the village made its living from silk, will take you on a journey back in time. You’ll love its lively center, summer market, Romanesque church, bridge over the Drôme river, arcades and fountains.
The most beautiful markets in the Drôme
The Drôme valley is home to many quality markets. One of the most popular is the Saillans market, held every Sunday morning. It’s a 20-minute walk from the campsite. Our local producers offer fresh, seasonal produce from traditional, sustainable and organic farming. To be enjoyed without moderation…
The Valley produces fruit : apricots, apples, cherries and peaches, as well as all kinds of vegetables, aromatic plants and essential oils. And let’s not forget the vines that produce Clairette de Die, Crémant, Chatillon en Diois in the east and Brézème, the smallest AOC Côtes du Rhône vineyard.
You’ll also meet producers of honey, cookies, Picodon cheese and bread, as well as craftsmen of all specialities.
A sure-fire way to relax and indulge!
Market days (annual contracts) :
- Tuesday: Crest; Livron
- Wednesday: Beaufort-sur-Gervanne, Die
- Thursday: Bourdeaux, Pont-de-Barret, Aouste-sur-Sye, Nyons
- Friday: Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert, Dieulefit, Loriol, Marsanne, Piégros-la-Clastre
- Saturday: Crest, Mirmande, Saoû, Die
- Sunday: Saillans
Family visits near the campsite
Wildlife parks and sites, nature recreation
⌚23′ | 25 km : La Gare des Ramières – Allex : nature station on the Drôme river, this nature reserve presents its flora and fauna
⌚ 25′ | 27 km : L’aquarium des tropiques – Allex: several hundred species of tropical freshwater fish from 4 continents
⌚ 26′ | 30 km : Le Jardin aux oiseaux in Upie: over 1,000 animals from every continent. Birds of prey and parrot shows in season, inflatable play area and mini-farm.
⌚ 27′ | 25 km : Jardin des découvertes, la ferme aux papillons – Die : hundreds of exotic butterflies live freely around visitors
⌚ 1h05 | 88 km : La ferme aux crocodiles – Pierrelatte : the fascinating world of reptiles with over 600 animals (crocodiles, pythons, iguanas, turtles, tropical birds, fish)
Museums and galleries
⌚13′ | 9 km : Musée des Berthalais – Mirabel-et-Blacons
⌚23′ | 21 km : Musée historique et archéologique de Die et du Diois – Die
⌚45′ | 45 km : Musée des Beaux-Arts et archéologie – Valence
⌚50′ | 48 km : Musée d’Art Contemporain Saint-Martin – Montélimar
⌚50′ | 48 km : European Fighter Aviation Museum – Montélimar
⌚53′ | 57 km : Musée International de la Chaussure – Romans-sur-Isère
⌚1h10′ | 55 km : Mémorial de la Résistance en Vercors – Vassieux-en-Vercors
⌚1h10′ | 55 km : Vercors Prehistory Museum – Vassieux-en-Vercors
Castles and architectural heritage
⌚18′ | 15 km : La Tour de Crest: France’s highest dungeon invites you to relive 900 years of history: a medieval dungeon (12th-15th), then a prison tower (15th-19th).
⌚27′ | 23 km : Château de Soyans (ruin)
⌚46′ | 43 km : Château des Hospitaliers
⌚ 1h | 58 km : Le Château de Grignan – Grignan
⌚ 1h10 | 100 km : Le Château de Suze-la-Rousse – Suze-la-Rousse
⌚ 1h20 | 84 km : Le Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval – Hauterives
Economic discovery tourism
⌚1′ | 200 m : Le Père Craquant – Saillans: visit the factory to discover a beautiful range of Mediterranean cookies: craquants, macarons du Vercors and the famous navettes de Provence.
⌚2′ | 2 km : Ladrôme laboratoire: this company develops ORGANIC essential oils and health solutions based on aromatic and medicinal plants, sources of well-being and meaning.
⌚4′ | 4 km : Cave Raspail Jean-Claude et Fils – Saillans : Crémant and Clairette de Die Bio : visit the winery and taste the estate’s crus. Exhibition of wine presses and winemaking tools.
⌚10′ | 10 km: L’Huilerie Richard in Aouste-sur-Sye: discover oils and many other regional and artisanal products.
⌚30′ | 30 km : La Brasserie du Val-de-Drôme in Cléon d’Andran: Markus Bière is a brand of Brasserie du Val de Drôme and produces unfiltered, unpasteurized craft beers.
⌚50′ | 48 km : Le palais des bonbons et du nougat – Montélimar
⌚55′ | 65 km : La Cité du chocolat – Tain l’Hermitage
⌚59′ | 78 km : Le musée-boutique Eyguebelle – Valaurie: a historic brand of syrups, plant liqueurs, fruit liqueurs, fruit creams in Drôme
Gastronomic specialities in the Drôme
Take advantage of your vacation to discover the flavours of the Drôme Valley. Here are some of our specialities:
- white garlic from the Drôme
- the Montoison melon, less well-known than the Cavaillon melon, but sweet and very fragrant
- black garlic from Maison Boutarin in Crest, an exceptional French product, made in the Japanese tradition and acclaimed by chefs and food critics alike.
- défarde de Crest, a dish of lamb offal cooked in white wine
- pintadeau de la Drôme, a poultry with a unique and irresistible taste
- Picodon cheese, an emblematic goat’s cheese with a typical taste that will take you on a journey through the flavours of the Drôme region.
- summer fruits: apples, apricots, peaches, pears…
- Croquants aux amandes, a Saillans speciality since 1924
- Couve, an orange-flavored sweet cake that gets its name from its shape, which resembles a hen’s nest with eggs.
For wine and wine tourism enthusiaststhe Drôme Valley proposes a wide range of discovery activities Wine tasting, cellar visits, meetings with owners, discovery of vineyard trades and techniques, knowledge of grape varieties, terroirs, appellations, local gastronomy… the most emblematic wines are Clairette and Crémant de Die, Côtes du Rhône Brézème (the smallest AOC Côtes du Rhône vineyard), AOC Châtillon en Diois and its vins de pays.
Discover the most beautiful natural sites
Drôme Valley
The Vallée de la Drôme covers 45 communes that are part of the Biovallée, a benchmark area for sustainable development.
Members of the Biovallée brand are committed to doing their part to achieve these objectives: halving energy consumption, covering our needs through the production of renewable energies, buying locally, using ethical funds, and so on.
Vercors Park
From the Drôme/Rhône confluence to the gateway to the Pays Diois, and from the Drôme Provençale to the Pays Diois. Vercors Park, 5 countries welcome you, offering a wide range of natural, cultural, sporting and culinary attractions The region offers a wide range of activities: outdoor activities, the pleasures of a gastronomy that’s half-Montana, half-Provence, tastings at producers of naturally tasty delicacies, relaxation and culture in museums, art workshops and festivities.
At the gateway to the valley, from the ViaRhôna. Set off on the VeloDrome to discover the Haut-Livron, the banks of the Drôme river, the Brézème hills and the surrounding built heritage. From Mirmande, one of France’s most beautiful villages, you can reach Cliousclat, the cradle of local pottery, the green resort of Grâne, and the perched villages of Allex and La Roche-sur-Grâne.
In the Pays de Crest, under the watchful eye of the medieval Tower, enjoyone of France’s most beautiful detours, the banks of the Drôme river and the nearby hilltop villages. History and old stones won’t disappoint you.
High above the valleys of the Gervanne and Sye rivers rises the fortress of the Vercors. Here, biodiversity is rich thanks to a favorable climate and well-preserved agriculture. Cool waterfalls, beautiful cliffs and lush green landscapes.
Saoû Forest Country
The Pays de la Forêt de Saoû and its perched syncline are ideal places for climbing, rejuvenation and hiking. TheAuberge des Dauphins, located in the heart of the Forêt de Saoû, a sensitive natural area, is one of the places not to be missed. Nicknamed “the Trianon of the Drôme”, this architectural replica inspired by the Château de Versailles and its gilded salons has recently been renovated. Today, it’s a playful and educational Maison de site.
It features a number of user-friendly areas for discovering the site’s natural and cultural riches. Particular attention is paid to young audiences and families, with special programs designed to encourage sensitive and active discovery.
A must-see! In the various villages, the many artists and craftsmen offer a wide range of creations. The Roubion river offers coolness and lovely picnic spots.
Pays de Saillans
The Pays de Saillans to the east, at the foot of the famous Trois Becs, the highest point in the valley, offers a landscape of vineyards, as you are in the terroir of the famous Clairette de Die. It’s also a paradise for nature lovers, especially in the Roanne Valley.
