Dauphiné is a historical and cultural region located in the southeastern part of present-day France, of which Grenoble was the seat.
The province offers a varied landscape between the Alpine peaks of the Haut-Dauphiné, the Pre-Alps, the Balconies of the Dauphiné or those of Valentinois and the western part of the Drôme Provençale, which have a more Mediterranean character.

In the Drôme, the Alps and Provence, the warm sun and wonderful scents come together. From the rugged mountain peaks of the Vercors to the soft hills of the Drôme Provençale, from the bustling markets in the larger cities to the quiet villages where the locals are proud of their traditions and time seems to stand still. The Baronies Provençales nature park extends over a large part of the southern Drôme, but Nyons is located in the centre and is therefore an ideal base for exploring it. The rich nature, the climate, the lavender fields, the olive groves and vineyards interspersed with unique villages such as Grignan, Dieulefit and Valréas, form an ideal environment for an active holiday. There is even an enclave to be found here. The Enclave des Papes or enclave of the popes was a piece of papal territory (1317-1791) in the principality of Dauphiné. Since 1791, the entity still exists as the canton of Valréas with the communes of Valréas, Grillon, Richerenches and Visan, an exclave of the Vaucluse department or enclave in the Drôme department.

This tour takes you through the southwestern part of the Dauphiné, the Drôme department, starting in Die, the city of the Clairette de Die and ending in the crocodile town of Pierrelatte on the Rhône.

The town of Die probably originated in the first century AD. The first remains that have been found date from the second century AD. The most prominent sights of the village are the Gallo-Roman walls and the city gate 'Saint-Marcel' which date from the third century. Also beautiful are the Roman mosaics in the old chapel Saint-Nicolas, an old private chapel of the bishops. All beautiful streets in Die.
The town is known for its Clairette, a white slightly sparkling wine that you can get both dry and sweet. In the vicinity of Die there are several winegrowers where you can buy Clairette and learn more about the winemaking process.

After refuelling, head west to Pontaix, a pretty Drôme village at the foot of the Vercors. The Drôme river that runs through the village, lined with houses, brings welcome refreshment in the summer. During the religious wars, this was a Protestant stronghold of the Diois region, but these fortifications were destroyed at the end of the 16th century. The castle chapel, high above the river, has two beautiful oriel windows. It has remained a Protestant temple since the 16th century, with frescoes from the 13th and 14th centuries. At the top of the village, the ruins of the former castle and its pentagonal keep majestically dominate the landscape. From the village, a beautiful road leads to the ridge, where a breathtaking view of the Drôme valley awaits you! Don't forget to admire the beautiful Aiguebelle waterfalls, which can also be found in the upper part of Pontaix. You get there via the "Calade de la Cascade", a tiny hidden street that takes you to the path towards the cascade.

In the old town of Nyons you take a break for coffee and a visit. A history that goes back to the Romans when Nyons was an administrative part of Vaison-la-Romaine, located a little further south. The Pont Roman is still an impressive witness to that time. But the city has many more historical gems. Such as the Tour de Randonne, a former military prison in the old centre, the Quartier des Forts. A 3.5 metre high statue of Mary has been watching over the city since 1280. The historical city centre can easily be discovered before or after a terrace on the pleasant Place de la Libération.
If you are there on a Thursday, you can buy the best olive oil of Provence at the weekly market. Also learn more by visiting the Musée de l'Olivier or one of the olive mills not far from the Pont Roman where olive oil is still produced in the traditional way. The black olive is 'big business' here. More than 1100 olive groves are united in the Vignolis cooperative and the 'Olive de Nyons' is not just any olive, it is a widely recognized 'appellation d'origine protégée' (AOP).

Driving to Valreas you end up in a (now) departmental enclave.
Valréas, a major city of the Papal States, has preserved a rich heritage from the past: the city is dominated by the tower of the old Château Ripert (12th century) and by the imposing 12th century church of Notre-Dame-de-Narareth with its 17th century organ. The Château de Simiane (17th century fresco) where Pauline de Grignan, granddaughter of Madame de Sévigné, lived, now houses the town hall. Here you can pick up a route to visit all the monuments in the city. But also outside you will find many fields of lavender and lavandin used for cosmetics.

Grignan is built on a hill that offers a beautiful view of the region where you can see and smell fields of lavender and thyme. On top of the hill is the castle that was built as a military fortress at the beginning of the 11th century. In the 15th century, the fortification was converted into a castle where luxury and wealth became the main features. Until well into the 17th century, the castle was made more and more beautiful. During the French Revolution, the castle of Grignan did not escape the plundering that put an end to the wealth of quite a few wealthy families in France. The castle was looted and the contents were sold. In the course of the 19th and 20th centuries, the castle was completely redecorated in various phases to the state it must have looked in its glory days.

The beautiful medieval town of Taulignan was built between the 10th and 15th centuries. Eleven towers that strengthen the ramparts are still visible. Walking around it, you will pass the Romanesque chapel of Saint-Michel from the 11th century and the Protestant temple in the form of a round tower. Originally there were even fourteen defensive towers
There is also the northern gate, or Porte d'Anguille, flanked by two towers connected by a gallery of hurdles. The town has many Renaissance facades and houses from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Dieulefit is a very different place. Pottery has always been closely linked to the history of Dieulefit and its surroundings. In the past, traditional pottery for home use was produced from clay that was mined locally. Great names in the field of ceramics, such as Etienne Noël or Jacques Pouchain, have also left a significant mark on the pottery tradition. Today, many potters and ceramists exhibit their work in their studios, galleries or shops. This artistic tradition has also extended to painting and sculpture. Many art galleries have set up shop in the heart of the village.

The next village is Le Poët-Laval, with its impressive medieval donjon (dwelling tower). It stands out spectacularly against the wooded hills. Founded in the 12th century by the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem (the Hospitallers), the village experienced a lot of turbulence from the end of the Middle Ages, like most other villages in the region. The Wars of Religion marked the beginning of a slow decline that almost ended the village as a ghost town four centuries later. But the village came back to life thanks to the determination of a few enthusiastic town planners

Fancy a visit to the abbey? The village of Montjoyer developed in the 12th and 13th centuries under the impetus of the Cistercian monks from the nearby Aiguebelle Abbey. Montjoyer still has medieval alleys with covered passages and part of the ramparts. The Grange de Montjoyer, built by the Cistercian monks who founded the Notre Dame d'Aiguebelle Abbey in 1137, is at the origin of the village that developed in the 12th and 13th centuries. At the entrance to the village stands an imposing white church from the 19th century. The abbey, located in a valley, is still home to a Cistercian community of around thirty monks who make a living from manual labour, help the poor as much as possible and welcome anyone who wants to free up time for meditation in their lives. There is no guided tour of the abbey, only access to the church. The shop with regional and monastic products, with a video room about monastic life in the abbey, is in the exhibition area of ​​the shop.

The elevated La Garde-Adhémar is located on top of a chalky rock face and looks out like a fearless sentinel over the entire Rhône valley, a breathtaking view. If possible, do this from a terrace, where you can have lunch. Also visit the Jardin des Herbes here. This protected herb garden is a beautiful example of a classic French garden.

In the heart of Tricastin, Clansayes seduces with its unspoilt environment and remarkable heritage. This village, typical of the Drôme Provençale, is perched on a rocky peak and offers a beautiful view of the surrounding hills and scrubland. The charming alleys lead to medieval remains, including the impressive tower, a testament to the town's fortified past. In 1772, Clansayes was struck by a major earthquake. It was one of the first to be studied scientifically. The village was off-limits for ten years. Only a few buildings remained standing.

Contrary to what its name suggests, Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux does not have any castles (a mistranslation of Tricastin), but its heritage is no less exceptional! The historic centre is full of treasures and architectural masterpieces, starting with the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral. This jewel of Provençal Romanesque style, classified as a Historical Monument, was built between the 12th and 13th centuries.

Pierrelatte will surprise you with its narrow streets where the scent of legends and myths still lingers. Play Gargantua in the Provencal village overlooking the Rhône plain, explore the old town centre around the majestic rock and spend a moment of peace in the shade of the mill.
According to legend, the giant Gargantua once sat on top of Mont Ventoux to retrieve a stone from his boot. He threw it far away and it landed in the middle of a large plain. This is how Pierrelatte, or at least its Rocher, was born, a small stone falling from a giant boot.
The mill, the museum and the Provencal character are the perfect combination for an authentic immersion in the history and heritage of Pierrelatte. Built in 1839, the Moulin de Pierrelatte embodies the charm and authenticity of the Provencal mills. In use until 1880, the building has stood the test of time, while retaining its old-fashioned appearance. At the foot of the Rock, within the walls of a former prison, the Pierrelatte municipal museum invites you to discover the town's hidden treasures. Through its collections of archaeology, palaeontology and mineralogy, you will discover the unsuspected riches of Pierrelatte. And then there is the Village Provençal, brought to life by 341 santons, 114 of which are in motion. It brings to life the crafts of yesteryear and immerses you in an atmosphere steeped in tradition. When you look out over this miniature village, you feel like a giant, true to the mythical origins of Pierrelatte. Every detail, every scene seems so real that it is impossible not to end this visit with a head full of wonder, lulled by the scent of Provence. Finally, the Rocher de Pierrelatte, an impressive limestone block, on which a castle was built in the Middle Ages, then the rock became a quarry in the 1913th century. After years of exploitation, the city decided in 1919 to preserve this unique site. Today, it has been converted into an open-air theatre and welcomes artists every summer for the Rocher Festival. Outside the centre is a crocodile farm. La Ferme aux Crocodiles is a zoo with a large indoor enclosure that houses several hundred crocodiles. In addition to the crocodiles, there are also turtles and birds to see.