Capital of the Diois and cradle of the local wine Clairette de Die, the town of Die nestles between the River Drome and the foot of the magnificent Glandasse mountain at the southern edge of the Vercors plateau. Despite the ravages of time and conflict, the 3rd and 4th century Gallo-Roman walls still surround much of the town.
The Porte Saint Marcel, or Gate of Saint Marcel, was built in the 3rd century and was once the major southern entry into the town.
The Notre Dame Cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was erected in the town-centre between the 11th and 13th centuries.
Another interesting site is the Mosaïque des Quatre Fleuves, the Mosaic of the Four Rivers, in the Chapel of St Nicholas, a superb romanesque work of art symbolizing the universe.

Guided visits :
- from April to October, little visit of the Cathedrale and the Mosaic Saturdays at 14:30 (by reservation)
- July-August, Mondays at 17:00
- all year round by reservation for groups. Download information on guided group tours (in French only)

Tariff: individuals 4 € each, groups 3.50 € per person.

Isolated, surrounded by mountains and with a plentiful water supply ; the Abbey was the perfect location for a life of religious contemplation. To appreciate it properly, try to imagine it as it was when it was built in the 12th century, with its painted white walls, chiseled stones and grey slate roofing. Although it is some 800 years old, Valcroissant still has many of its original features, notably the monk’s réfectoire, or dining area, in which one can still see the remains of 14th century paintings and inscriptions. The Salle Capitulaire, or main meeting room, is also impressive.

Since 1971, the Abbey has been classified as a historical listed building. It is privately owned and lived in, and used for sheep farming and the production of aromatic flowers and plants.

Guided visits (individuals) from May to September.
- May : Fridays, 17:00
- June and September : Wednesdays, 17:00
- July-August : Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 17:00

Tariff: adults 3.50 €, children (under 12 years old) free

All year round for groups by reservation - 3 € per person

Constructed on both sides of the River Drome where it narrows to the west of Die, this small picturesque village was for a long time a strategic point in the area.

The ruins of the 13th century castle, which played an important role during the wars of religion, still loom above the village of Pontaix. The castle once controlled access to the upper regions of the river.

The chapel ("temple" in French) of Pontaix, which overlooks the river, was a Protestant chapel in the 16th century. Taken over by the Catholics, it escaped demolition in 1685 (the year of the revocation of the 1598 Edict of Nantes, which had granted significant rights to the Calvinist Protestants, the Hugenots). At the time of the French Revolution, the chapel was once again adopted by the Protestants. Inside the chapel, which is a listed historical monument, you will find 13th and 14th century frescoes and a stone funeral banner of the Huguenot Lords from the 16th century.

Guided visits of the Protestant Temple : 14th July – 15th August, every day from 16:30 to 18:30.
From April to November by appointment: phone +33 (0)4 75 21 20 22 or +33 (0)4 75 21 14 74.

The charming medieval village of Châtillon-en-Diois and the hamlets and villages in the pristine countryside around it are where Alpine and Provencal truly meet.
Châtillon is huddled at the very foot of the magnificent cliff face of the mountain of Glandasse, which rises to 2,041 meters, yet the village is bathed in sunshine and surrounded by thyme, lavender fields and vineyards.

Do not drive through Châtillon without stopping ; the main road passes though the relatively newer edge of the village, but a medieval wonderland of tiny alleyways, fountains and quaint courtyards awaits those who explore on foot.

Châtillon also has a botanical theme; some 150 labeled varieties of plants are to be found growing in and around the village. And Châtillon wine even has its own “Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée,” or AOC, which signals its high quality.

Guided tours are available on Wednesdays at 17:00 in July and August and all year round by reservation for groups. Please ask at the local tourist office. Adults: 3 €, children (under 12): free.

Luc-en-Diois is situated between the Pic de Luc and Clamontard mountains. In Roman times, it was known as Lucus Augusti; it was the capital and important religious center of the Voconces people, natives of the region and allied at the time with the Romans.

Luc-en-Diois is characterized nowadays by its narrow lanes, in which the houses are occasionally joined across the street by vaulted arches, its old public wash-stands and walnut wood shop fronts.

The town of Luc-en-Diois is not far from the massive rock jumble of Le Claps (from the local dialect word for rocks: clapas). The impressive formation of Le Claps dates back to 1442, when part of the mountain Pic de Luc crumbled and the enormous rocks tumbled down to the River Drome. Today, Le Claps is a popular rock climbing spot and the waters that pool around the massive rocks provide a wonderful place to swim, play, picnic and relax.

For guided tours, please ask at the local tourist office.

Barnave is the most recent village to join the Association of Botanical Villages in the Drome, having become a member in 2003. Although they may not all speak English, in joining the association, the villagers committed to help visitors broaden their knowledge of local plant varieties. In various places around the village visitors can find 150 labeled species of plants that thrive in the dry summer, cold winter climate of the region.

Information leaflets are available at the tourist office in Luc-en-Diois.

Sitting on the top of a round hill in the heart of the Valley of the Oule River, La Motte Chalancon is a roughly circular old market borough, once a fortified stronghold.

The remains of its martial past include two towers, reached by climbing up steep “calades,” or narrow cobbled streets, and a restored twelfth century church.

Guided visits are available in summer – ask for more information at the tourist office.

Discover the charming narrow streets, archways and fountains of Saillans, on the edge of the River Drome.

You can see Roman architectural features in the town’s church and town hall.
The interior decoration and furniture in the Council Chamber are historically classified features, as is the 12th century romanesque church of Saint Géraud.

And the old town canal has been converted into pleasant signposted walk.

You can buy an easy-to-follow guide-map of the older parts of the village from the Tourist Office. The route is signposted in the village.

Free guided tours in July and August (ask the tourist office for details.)