Fly to the land of the rising sun

This multi-day itinerary will take you along the Rhône and the main rivers of the Drôme. From La Raye to the Monts du Matin, it will introduce you to the foothills of the Vercors, with their rich natural heritage.

Leaflet: The Drôme Rivers and Streams Tour

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History, culture and heritage:

Crest: the tower
The Tower of Crest is one of the most imposing keep-like towers in France. Its imposing architecture results from the combination of three towers, linked by thick walls, the construction of which took place between the 13th and 15th centuries. The tower has been adapted for visitors and offers a tour that combines respect for the site with a vivid presentation.

Valence
Valentia, meaning ‘valiant’ in Latin, occupies a privileged site on three terraced alluvial plains to the east of the Rhône. Picturesque slopes link the lower town to the first terrace, where the city has been situated since ancient times. It remained enclosed within its ramparts until the 19th century, but despite this isolation, it benefited from its proximity to the Rhône and the salt trade. The founding of a university in 1452 ensured the city’s prosperity and renown. Numerous mansions and bourgeois residences sprang up at this time, including the famous ‘Maison des Têtes’. Following the Wars of Religion, the city consolidated its religious, administrative and judicial functions. Boasting a citadel – now destroyed – it became an important military town, with the construction of several barracks in the 19th century. At the same time, Valence embraced modernity by removing its defensive ramparts, replacing them with boulevards open to pedestrians and traffic. In the 19th century, the Valence of the future began to take shape on the upper terraces, to the east of the city of the past.

This loop takes you into the heart of the Drôme region to the remarkable sites of the Ramières Nature Reserve and the Saoû Departmental Forest, an essential part of the Drôme’s heritage.

Leaflet: The Saou Forest Circuit

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Step-by-step itinerary

The route reaches the River Drôme and its magnificent cycle footbridge. Here, you follow the signposted ‘La Vélodrôme’ cycle route, which runs up the Drôme valley to the Gare des Ramières. To reach the Saou Forest, continue along the Drôme valley after passing through the town of Crest. The route continues through the forest via the steep slopes of Le Pertuis and the Pas de Lauzens. The return journey rejoins the Roubion valley at Soyans via the Grenette valley, which offers the advantage of a climb up the hill alongside the river. Between Crest and Valence, after passing through Gare des Ramières (Allex) once more, you’ll finish your journey on quiet country lanes between Upie and Montéleger. A cycle route starting from the Lorient Departmental Park will take you to the centre of Valence.

History, culture and heritage:

Saoû Departmental Forest (listed site – sensitive natural area)
An essential part of the Drôme’s heritage, the Saoû Forest covers a perched syncline that is unique in Europe. Exploited and developed over the centuries, it is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, as well as an unusual building that reflects its history: the Auberge des Dauphins. A true visionary, Maurice Burrus, a wealthy tobacco industrialist, bought the forest in 1924 and decided to open it up to tourism. He had a trail laid out, dotted with shelters and picnic areas,
and commissioned the construction of a waystation inn to accommodate visitors, thereby establishing himself as a pioneer of green tourism in the Drôme.

Montéléger Castle
The first mention of a fortified castle dates back to 1157, but the building that crowns the village of Montéléger dates from the mid-16th century. Built in 1545 by Pierre Mayaud, this country house – more so than a fortress – features a beautiful orangery on the ground floor, built in the 18th century. Nowadays, the château houses a care home. The orangery has been refurbished to host concerts open to the public.

La Roche-sur-Grâne
The fortified village of La Roche-sur-Grâne is situated on a hilltop overlooking the Grâne valley. It is surrounded by a rampart and several circular towers. Cobbled streets and stairways make for a pleasant stroll through the village. The Church of Saint-Jacques and Saint-Christophe is notable for its 17th-century paintings uncovered during the restoration of the building. As it passes through the Tartaiguille Pass via a tunnel, the Paris–Mediterranean railway line crosses the Grenette Viaduct, a true engineering feat, 947 metres long and supported by 18 piers, the tallest of which is 60 metres high.

The Vélodrôme is a 52 km road cycling route in the Drôme, between the Alps and Provence. It links up with the ViaRhôna from the footbridge over the River Drôme. It follows the small paths and local roads along the River Drôme. This route, which stays as close as possible to the river, thus offers an alternative to the VTT26, aimed at a more family-oriented audience.

La VéloDrôme leaflet

Please note

Step-by-step route

1- ViaRhôna footbridge ==> Livron-sur-Drôme (8 km)

Starting from the footbridge, the Vélodrôme follows the reinforced embankment along the River Drôme. Signs have been installed on the footbridge, above the river, to help identify species, as this is the Printegarde Nature Reserve, a resting area for migratory birds. We recommend taking a detour via the fish pass on the Drôme, a unique and spectacular structure built specifically to save a small endemic fish, the Rhône apron.

2- Livron-sur-Drôme ==> Allex (12 km)

The route continues to Livron, where you must climb up to the old village, Haut-Livron. It is very steep but short (330 m exactly). Once at the top, you can head to the viewpoint. It offers one of the most beautiful views of the Rhône valley. After passing through the hilltop village of Livron, you reach Allex via small country lanes that wind past the fruit orchards and vineyards of Brézème, part of the Côte du Rhône AOC appellation.

3- Allex ==> Crest (16 km)

At Allex, turn off towards Grâne to get back closer to the river, near the Ramières Nature Reserve and the Gare des Ramières (a visitor centre where you can learn about the biodiversity of the River Drôme). Continuing on to Crest, the route passes close to the hilltop village of Eurre, near the ‘Castor’ trail – named after the river’s iconic animal – and the Val de Drôme Ecosite, where a village of craftspeople is open to visitors. On arrival in Crest, an ancient medieval town, its imposing tower (52 metres high) allows us to climb to the top and admire the panoramic view over the Saoû Forest syncline, the valley and the Pre-Alps.

4- Crest ==> Saillans (18 km)

Continuing on to Aouste-sur-Sye, imposing buildings (mills, spinning mills and silk reeling mills, etc.) bear witness to a hard-working past. All along the river, these small mechanical industries harnessed the power of the Drôme’s waters. From Aouste-sur-Sye to Saillans, the route passes close to the vineyards and the first cellars producing the AOC Clairette de Die, a fruity, sparkling wine. In summer, the fields of lavender and other aromatic plants tantalise all our senses, as we are in the Biovallée®, and lovely spots for a swim promise a refreshing break.