At the gates of the Diois

The Trièves, at the foot of the Mont-Aiguille

This eco-tourism area of the l’Isère, to the south of Grenoble, between the Vercors and Dévoluy massifs, neighbours the Pays Diois on its North-Eastern boundary, behind the Col de Menée.

In the Parc Naturel Régional du Vercors, from the Réserve Naturelle des Hauts-Plateaux, you can contemplate the Mont Aiguille, one of the 7 marvels of the Dauphiné and also the Grand Veymont, and the renowned Balcon Est of the Vercors, in which the resort of Gresse-en-Vercors nestles.

At the heart of these picturesque villages, the Musée du Trièves tells the story of this Protestant fiefdom and its Resistance heritage.

We set off in the footsteps of Jean Giono [writer], beneath the majestic gaze of the summits of the Dévoluy, the Obiou and the Grand Ferrand.

Finally, we can seek inspiration in the turquoise waters of Monteynard-Avignonet lake and quiver with excitement on its ‘passerelles himalayennes’.

Discover the Trièves

The Vercors-Drôme/Isère, historic heart of the Vercors plateau

This part of the Drôme, North-West of the Pays Diois, high up on the plateau, is reached by way of the Col du Rousset, entry point to the wild expanse of the Réserve Naturelle des Hauts-Plateaux.

Taking in the foothills of the Royans with its ‘hanging’ houses at Pont-en-Royans, the Carmes de Beauvoir-en-Royans convent and the abbey of, Léoncel, this is also the historic centre of the Resistance, whose soul rests in its sites of remembrance: Museum and Mémorial de la Résistance…

Follow these magnificent and daring roads, cut into the Combe Laval cliffs, and the Bourne, Petits Goulets and Nan gorges.

Descend into the mysterious underground world of the Thaïs, Luire, Draye-Blanche or Choranche cave systems – the latter being one of the finest in France. 

Meet the producers of the famous Bleu du Vercors-Sassenage cheese, ravioles or the ‘cuillères du Royans’.

Discover the Vercors Drôme

Discover St Marcellin - Vercors Isère

The Drôme valley, Biovallée at the foot of the Trois Becs

This area prolongs the Pays Diois to the West and opens out, at Pontaix, onto the Rhone Valley towards Valence. 

The Drôme river, after it has sprung into being and traversed the Diois, continues on its course until it meets the Rhône.

The area is also a prolongation of the Biovallée and of the Clairette de Die vineyards and lavender growing.  

You can discover one of the highest medieval keeps in France, the Tour de Crest, and a number of hilltop villages such as Mirmande, listed as one of the ‘Plus Beaux Villages de France’.

Saoû forest and its «perched syncline », one of the finest Europe, is dominated by the Trois Becs mountain.

Other natural sites such as the Druise waterall of the Omblèze gorges in the Gervanne Valley area are also an invitation to go walking.

Discover the Drôme valley

Drôme Provençale, the mountains of Provence

This area, between the Mont Ventoux and the Baronnies, abuts the South-West of the Pays Diois at the level of the Parc Naturel Régional of the Baronnies Provençales.

You can access the area via Cornillon-sur-l’Oule or by the Lescou and Pertie cols.

The landscapes, overflown by the Rémuzat vultures, continue to be characterised by lavender fields and vineyards, but groves of Nyons olive treees and the Tricastin truffle plantations also appear.

The hilltop villages of Montbrun-les-Bains (thermal resort), la Garde-Adhémar, le Poët-Laval and Grignan, lying at the foot of its château, feature amongst the « Plus Beaux Villages de France » and Nyons, as one of the « Plus Beaux Détours de France ».

You can enjoy the Provencal markets, where you can buy Montélimar nougat and visit the Dieulefit potteries. You can also cycle along the ViaRhôna between Montélimar and Pierrelate to discover the Ferme aux Crocodiles.

Discover Drôme Provençale

The Buëch valley, by way of an introduction to the Great Alps - the Hautes Alpes

To the East of the Pays Diois, close to Gap we find ourselves in the Hautes-Alpes via Lus-La-Croix-Haute, and the Cabre and Pommerol cols.

Here we find the pointiest summits of the Dévoluy massifs such as the Obiou and the Pic de Bure, an introduction to the Alps.

Just like in the Diois, outdoor sports rule: the ski resorts at Superdévoluy and la Joue du Loup open their slopes to skiers in winter. 

As for the Ceüse cliffs, they are of international renown for climbers, who will encounter one of the hardest routes in the world:  Biographie en 9a+.

To continue higher still, head to the Chevalet air strip at Aspres-sur-Buëch or Agnielles gorges to cimb or try its via-ferrata.

Too hot? Enjoy the ‘Iscles de Veynes’ stretch of water or the little canyon at the ‘marmites du diable de la Faurie’.

Discover the source of the Buëch

Sisteron Buëch, a paradise for geologists

South-East of the Pays Diois and also in the Parc Naturel Régional des Baronnies Provençales, access is via the col de Pommerol at the heart of the UNESCO ‘Géoparc de Haute-Provence’ which showcases this outstanding geological heritage. 

The cliffs of Orpierre, amongst the top 10 of climbing sites in France, are there to be discovered, as are the Méouge gorges, a paradise for swimming and walking at the foot of the Chabre mountain.

From the ‘Tour Carrée de Rosans’, lavender fields compete with each other at the confines of the Baronnies.

Sisteron and its citadel, considered to be the gateway to Provence, has been usurped by the Rocher de la Baume and its defile (cluse) which are, at the end of the day, the finest feature. 

As for the little streets of Serres and Garde Colombe, they boast the « Petites cités de caractère » label, whilst Upaix, Ventavon, Mison, Sigoyer and Valavoire offer the best in hill-top villages.

Discover Sisteron - Buëch

See also