Watch the video above for a 5 minutes presentation
of our Land & Heritage of the Drome outings.
of our Land & Heritage of the Drome outings.
And see the details of the 8 different programmes below:
ANCIENT CITY OF DIE AND AREA
Departing from/at: train stations of Saillans at 08:30 and Die at 09:00
Duration: Full day until evening
Itinerary: Walking tour of Die, capital city of the Celtic Voconces people, including the antic walls, former Earl and Bishop's Palace with its medieval mosaic. Onto the village of Chamaloc for the visit of a lavender distillery. Afternoon we explore some of the best known natural sites of the Diois, such as the Archiane mountain circus and the Claps Chaos, result of a colossal landslide. Return journey via scenic roads up the Pennes Mountain Pass and across the Roanne Valley and canyons.
Transport: Carpooling, including our 8 passengers vehicle
Meals: Choice of a picnic or local restaurant (not included).
Admissions: Entrance to see the Medieval Mosaic in Die.
Your guide for the day: David or Luciane, from 35 € per person*
Possible options: A walk across the rock chaos of the Claps.
VERCORS MOUNTAIN & THE ROYANS
Departing from/at: train stations of Saillans at 08:25 and Crest at 08:45
Duration: Full day until evening
Itinerary: the Gervanne Valley and its hilltop villages, the Omblèze Canyon, Vellan Promontory and panorama. The Cistercian Abbey of Léoncel, deep Vercors forest of Lente, scenic road of Combe Laval carved out of the cliffs. Village of Pont-en-Royans built against rocks over de Bourne River, the Choranche Caves, the Résistance story around La Chapelle and Vassieux, and the Prehistory Museum.
Transport: Carpooling, including our 8 passengers vehicle
Meals: Choice of a picnic or local restaurant (not included).
Admissions: Entrance to the Choranche Caves and Prehistory Museum.
Your guide for the day: David or Luciane, from 35 € per person*
Possible options: Reverse itinerary starting from Die at 9:00.
DROME VALLEY WITH CREST & SAILLANS
Departing from/at: train stations of Saillans at 08:40 and Crest at 09:00
Duration: Full day until evening
Itinerary: walking tour of medieval Crest and visit the 12th c. Tower, highest of its kind in France. Moving up the Drôme River and visit the hilltop village of Mirabel. Close to Saillans visit of the Cave Raspail winegrower, and tasting of the famous Clairette. Walking tour of Saillans, its labyrinth of narrow streets, including the listed Church and Town Hall. Detour by the Contècle Gorge to see a 600 year old legendary tree.
Transport: Carpooling, including our 8 passengers vehicle
Meals: Choice of a picnic or local restaurant (not included).
Admissions: Tower of Crest, all other visits are free.
Your guide for the day: David or Luciane, from 35 € per person*
Possible options: Starting point from Die, and extra time for swim in the Drôme.
CITY OF VALENCE & CRUSSOL CASTLE
Departing from/at: train stations of Saillans 08:45, Crest 09:00, Valence 9:45
Duration: Full day until evening
Itinerary: Walking tour of Valence historical centre, visit the 11th c. cathedral of Saint Apollinaire and visit the Museum of Art & Archaeology. Afternoon trip across the Rhône River and scenic roads to visit the site of Crussol, and enjoy extended panoramas over the region. Then unto Soyons village, across the Rhône once more, and return via the Ramières Nature Reserve of the Drôme River.
Transport: Carpooling, including our 8 passengers vehicle
Meals: Choice of a picnic or local restaurant (not included).
Admissions: St Apollinaire Cathedral and Museum of Art & Archeology
Your guide for the day: David or Luciane, from 35 € per person*
Possible options: Visit the Soyons Cave and Museum, or walk in the Nature Reserve.
DROME PROVENCALE & GRIGNAN
Departing from/at: train station of Saillans 08:30, Aouste roundabout 8:45
Duration: Full day until evening
Itinerary: Scenic drive across the hills of the Drôme Provençale, with views over several hilltop villages. Stops to visit Aleyrac Priory and Taulignan's medieval walls. In Grignan, visit of the Castle, most impressive Renaissance-style palace in South-East France, and walk through the picturesque streets and the St Sauveur Church. Then onto the Dieulefit area to walk around on of the most beautiful village of the Drôme: Poët-Laval, founded by the Knights Templar. Return via Bourdeaux and Saou.
Transport: Carpooling, including our 8 passengers vehicle
Meals: Choice of a picnic or local restaurant (not included).
Admissions: Grignan Castle and guided tour.
Your guide for the day: David or Luciane, from 35 € per person*
Possible options: Visit Protestant Museum in Poët-Laval, and dinner in Saou.
HERMITAGE VINEYARDS & ROMANS
Departing from/at: train stations of Saillans 08:30, and Crest 08:50.
Duration: Full day until evening
Itinerary:
Across the Valence plain to the Rhône River and town of Tain. Visit of Valrhona, most prestigious French Chocolatiers, for an immersion into the world of chocolate making. Scenic roads around the famous terraced vineyards of the Hermitage, with a stop at Cave Ange for a wine tasting. Onto the ancient town of Romans, on the banks of the River Isère: walking tour of the historical centre, including visit to the grand Collegiate Church of St Barnard. Visit the acclaimed shoe-making workshops of Romans. Return via the Monts du Matin.
Transport: Carpooling, including our 8 passengers vehicle
Meals: Choice of a picnic or local restaurant (not included).
Admissions: Valrhona Chocolate Centre and Tour of the Shoe-making workshops.
Your guide for the day: David or Luciane, from 35 € per person*
Possible options: Visit the International Shoe Museum in Romans
NYONS & THE BARONNIES
Departing from/at: train station of Saillans 09:00
Duration: Full day until evening
Itinerary: Starting from Saillans we take to the mountains across the Chaudière Pass onto scenic small roads. Isolated villages amongst the hills and valleys of the Baronnies will take us to Nyons, the olive-tree capital of Provence. A walk through the medieval streets, across its 14th century bridge, and visit an traditional olive oil mill. Further south we also stop to visit Buis, historical capital of the Baronnies. The return roads will be just as scenic, stopping along the way to see Sainte Jalle Romanesque Church and the Eygues Valley and gorges.
Transport: Carpooling, including our 8 passengers vehicle
Meals: Choice of a picnic or local restaurant (not included).
Admissions: Dozol Oil Mill.
Your guide for the day: David or Luciane, from 35 € per person*
Possible options: As this will be a long day, optional dinner on the way back.
ARDECHE CANYON & GROTTE CHAUVET
Departing from/at: train station of Saillans 08:30, or the Gendarmerie crossroads parking in Crest 8:45
Duration: Full day until evening
Itinerary: After Crest we join the Rhône Valley, driving south to Pierrelatte and into neighbouring Ardèche region. The morning will be dedicated to visiting Chauvet 2, a World Heritage Site, where some of the oldest cave paintings in the world were found, going back 37 000 years. The visit includes the Interpretive Centre. The afternoon will bring you onto the majestic Gorges de l'Ardèche, one of Europe's biggest canyons. Many stops will allow to enjoy impressive views, as we drive through the Nature Reserve. On the return journey we will stop in Montélimar for some Nougat tasting!
Transport: Carpooling, including our 8 passengers vehicle
Meals: Choice of a picnic or local restaurant (not included).
Admissions: Grotte Chauvet 2 Visitor's Centre + Arnaud Soubeyran Nougat
Your guide for the day: David or Luciane, from 35 € per person*
Possible options: Visit one of the many natural caves of the Ardèche