Châtillon-en-diois

Châtillon en Diois is a medieval village at the foot of  Glandasse, (2041m), (cliffs at the southernmost part of the Vercors), at the entrance of Provence.

It marries under the same sky the charm of the mountains and the warm southern climate.

Medieval village, Crossed by the street of Rostangs, (main artery since medieval times until the middle of the XIX century), the village still shows its character which can be discovered when walking through les Viols (the Latin “via” little street).

You can admire arcades, old houses with their pesureaux, theBeffroi, the house of consuls, beautiful doors, the city hall classified for the XVI century, the ruins of the ramparts from the XIV century, the Reviron place and the village 17 fountains…

3 steeples on the St Julien Church (XVIII), the temple (XVIII-XIX) and the clock tower (XVIII).

On the way, you can admire the 150 climbing plants and flowers of the botanical village.

The Giono forest is a path awaiting a beautiful walk to appreciate the diverse flora.

The Cirque d’Archiane, le vallon de Combeau, les Gorges des Gâts, les Sucettes de Borne, Le Rio Sourd, la grotte de la Varaime, are also beautiful sites to discover.

Numerous hiking trails and bike trails exist around Châtillon.

• A botanical and medieval village

In the depth of the Bez valley, sheltered from the North winds by the Glandasse mountain (2041 meters high), this medieval village presents the visitors with its « viols » (narrow streets) and its sites. Listed as a botanical village, the village is dotted with more than one hundred different species of flowers.
Guided tour: apply at the tourist information center.

• The way in the vineyards

The footpath of the vineyard starts from Châtillon and continues winding into the vineyard and its little huts. You can stop at the «Serre du Poêt », a hilltop from which you will enjoy a wonderful panorama.

• The Giono forest

This walk starts from the center of the village. This forest was created in 1989 with an educative purpose whose theme focuses on the wealth of the forest environment

The festival of Arts and Vine takes place on the second week of August. It promotes the district cultural inheritance through various animations: permanent exhibitions in the stables and vaulted cow-sheds, parade with torches by night in the medieval village, illumination of the sheds in the vineyards, plays and concerts. The festival opens with the Vine Feast during which the wine growers offer a tasting of their productions in the old cellars of the medieval village.
The Arts and Vine Association also organizes a secondhand trade on the third Sunday of July.

• The Archiane Cirque

The Archiane Cirque is situated only 10 km away from Châtillon. A beautiful road starting from the village of Menée will lead you to the impressive cliffs of the Glandasse. A sight that should be seen by sun-set. Once in the village, there's a marked path, called « les carnets d'Archiane ».

• Col de Grimone (1318m)

Experience a wonderful time in the Col de Grimone! Looking towards Lus la Croix Haute, you will see the Aiguille Crest, the « Tête de Lauzon » and the « Grand Ferrand ». On the other side of the mountain, that is the Diois side, you'll see the first lavenders which express the more Provencal character of the Drôme. You'll also enjoy a beautiful sight over the rock barrier of les Trois Becs that overlooks the Saou forest.

• Col de Menée (1440m)

This is the highest col in the department. From this col, you can see the differences in landscapes between the Diois and the Trièves. Highly touristic route. Great variety of flowers in June.

• The Glandasse Mountain

Its highest point is 2041 meter high. The Glandasse mountain is part of the procteted Vercors Park. It's a wondeful plateau from which you can enjoy a panoramic view, spanning from the Mont Ventoux to the Meiges, and from the Cevennes to the Aiguilles de Lus.

• La Tune de la Varaime . ( Boulc)

Prehistorical cave with drawings.
Visits : 0475485826. Booking needed.
Les Gorges des Gâts . ( Treschenu-Creyers. Glandage )
After the Boulc tunnel, you'll discover these gorges towering up above the Bez river and that resemble a deep canyon with calcareous sides.

• The Rio Sourd . (Treschenu – Creyers . Glandage )

Located in the Gorge des Gâts, this is the most famous canyon of the Diois. Its descent is done in groups (see the outdoor activities pages).

• The Lollipops of Borne (Glandage)

Astonishing! These giant lollipops are located after the village of Borne