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Hilltop villages in the Drôme Valley

Walking across a succession of pretty hilltop villages
  • Duration 7 days
  • Activity Walking holiday
  • Holiday among adults
  • Theme countryside, lavenders
885€
Quotation Book

Information : Hilltop villages in the Drôme Valley

  • Comfort
  • Difficulty
  • Note
  • Roadbooks French / English / German

Presentation

The circuit begins not far from the Rhône Valley then sweeps into the Provençal Prealps, going from one hilltop village to the next. The theme is developed in each village encountered through panels presenting local history and culture. A short guidebook published for each commune ("parish") enables you to know a little more about each area.
Conviviality and a warm welcome are the bywords of the trip, enhancing the interest of this approach to the places you pass through. As guests you are often invited to dine at your hosts' table and are sure to enjoy their recipes for traditional dishes made with fresh local produce!

You'll love

  • trying local recipes made with fresh ingredients
  • strolling along narrow streets and cobbled alleys in the pretty villages of the Drôme
  • the lovely pre-alpine Provençal scenery
  • the cosy comfort of your accommodation

Program : Hilltop villages in the Drôme Valley

  • D1 Arrival in Mirmande

    The Rhône Valley orchards: cherry, peach and apricot trees.

    Dinner and night in Hotel or guest house.

  • D2 From Mirmande to Marsanne

    11 km with total uphill 500 metres. Duration about 3hrs40.
    Now you're getting well away from the tumult of the Rhône Valley, (the busiest transport axis in Europe!)
    The path rises progressively. The distant rumble fades as you come to the top of the forest of Mirmande. And as you make your way down the other side you are truly entering the hinterland at the foot of the Pre-Alps of the Drôme.

    Dinner and night at 2 star hotel-restaurant in the heart of the village.

  • D3 From Marsanne to Saoû

    16,5 km with total uphill of 370 metres. Duration around 4hrs.

    In the early morning, the taxi will drop you off at the Col de Devès to start your walk. It offers a wide panorama from the Montélimar plain to the cliffs of the Vercors, passing through the mountains of the southern Drôme. This itinerary also allows you to visit two perched villages: Marsanne and Auriples le Péage, before arriving in Saoû, a village nestled at the foot of the perched syncline of the 3 Becs. The mineral excess of the cliffs of Saoû will undoubtedly be the most striking image of this day. Culminating at 886 metres, the Roche Colombe mountain will watch over you.

    Night in guest house and Dinner in a restaurant in the heart of the village.

  • D4 Around Saoû

    17,5 km with total uphill 700 metres. Duration about 6 hrs.
    Perched village? The village of Saoû is nestled at the entrance to the Forêt de Saoû, the highest perched syncline in Europe. This hike guarantees you a breathtaking ascent, mostly in the undergrowth, it takes various paths and offers striking panoramas of the Saoû forest and the Vercors massif.

    Night in guest house and Dinner in a restaurant in the heart of the village.

  • D5 From Saoû to Bourdeaux

    13.3 km with total uphill 260 m. Around 3hrs30.
    Leave behind the majestic perched syncline of the 3 Becs massif and head south to discover very wild landscapes. Between plains, undergrowth and small hamlets, this walk allows you to discover the agricultural and pastoral activity of the farms in the Bourdeaux area. 

    Dinner and night in 2 épis guesthouse in the old centre.

  • D6 Around Bourdeaux

    13 km with total uphill 430 m. Duration about 3hrs30.
    This walk offers a wide variety of landscapes mixing streams, marl and undergrowth. There are many views of the Saou massif and the climb to the Boutière pass is rewarding. The return to Bourdeaux winds between plain and forest; take the time to look around you, you might spot some animals in the undergrowth!

    Dinner and night in 2 épis guesthouse in the old centre.

  • D7 Departure

    After breakfast the taxi will drive you to Mirmande to pick up you car or to the nearest train station.

Tariffs high season

From May 16 to September 15, daily departures

IN DOUBLE ROOM

Adult : 920 €
Junior (12-17) : 920 €
Baby (0 - 1) : 70 €

IN A TRIPLE ROOM

Adult : 875 €
Junior (12-17) : 875 €
Baby (0 - 1) : 70 €

IN A SINGLE ROOM

1300 €

SOLO TRAVELLER

1400 €

Tariffs low season

From April 1st to May 15 and from September 16 to October 31, daily departures

IN DOUBLE ROOM

Adult : 885 €
Junior (12-17) : 885 €
Baby (0-1) : 70 €

IN A TRIPLE ROOM

Adult : 840 €
Junior (12-17) : 840 €
Baby (0-1) : 70 €

IN A SINGLE ROOM

1165 €

SOLO TRAVELLER

1265 €

What's included?

  • Half board
  • Guest houses with 3 "épis" and 3 star hotel
  • Detailed roadbook and maps
  • Update GPS tracks
  • Logistical and technical support
  • Shuttle organised for return to starting point
  • Baggage transfer
     

What's not included?

  • Beverage and extra
  • If you travel with your dog, extra fee to be paid on the spot
  • Round trip transfer from your home to the first accommodation
  • Facultative cancellation and repatriation insurance

Characteristics of circuits

  • Walking holiday without guide

Organisation

  • These outings are much more about relaxed exploration than athletic performance. We transport your luggage from one lodging to another, and your roadbook will guide you throughout your stay. We provide the logistical and technical support necessary.
  • On longer holidays you change accommodation every other day, which gives you the chance to better explore your surroundings or simply take your time and relax...
  • Accommodation is in either 2 or 3 star/épis hotels or guest houses chosen for their atmosphere, warm welcome and environmental and architectural setting. You'll be in half-board accommodation. Picnic lunches are extra ; you may like to order these at reservation.

N.B : the accommodation described above is given as an indication and may vary according to availability at the moment your reservation is finalized.

Access

By car

Highway A7 exit Montélimar Nord - 5 km or Loriol - 12 km

By air

Lyon St-Exupéry airport.

By train

Loriol-sur-Drôme railway station then by bus to the accommodation in Mirmande

Comments

Global note
4.7

  • Thank you to Safrantours for organising our hike in the Drôme. An agency that listens and does everything possible to satisfy the customer. (translated from frenche)

  • La randonnée des villages perchés de la Drôme est un vrai bonheur, tant des paysages que des étapes. A recommander à tous les randonneurs. Merci SAFRAN.

  • De belles randonnées (un peu trop de routes à mon goût), de belles étapes avec un excellent accueil et un site à découvrir et à redécouvrir: SAOU. 4ème séjour avec SAFRAN et prêt à repartir.

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Hilltop villages in the Drôme Valley
I agree to receive newsletters from Safran Tours
The General Data Protection Regulation - GDPR, or RGPD in French - is the new regulation that determines how businesses may handle customers’ computerised personal data. In accordance with the provisions of French legislation, namely Act No. 78-17 of 6th January 1978 as amended variously up to, we inform you that the personal data you provide will be computerized and treated with the utmost confidentiality. Only authorized persons may access your data and this for strictly internal purposes. You have the right to access, correct or delete information about yourself by simply contacting us at reservations@safrantours.com *