Drôme: between lavender fields, hilltop villages and nature

Cover photo: Drôme Provençale © Shutterstock /Serge Goujon

For an escape from the summer crowds, head to the Drôme Provençale: lavender fields that stretch as far as the eye can see, medieval villages clinging to hillsides, unspoilt nature, and a unique heritage. A region to discover at your own pace, in harmony with the seasons.

An immersion in the Drôme countryside

Between Lyon and Marseille lies the Drôme, a land of authentic villages, wide open spaces, and monumental mountains. And what better way to discover it than by immersing yourself in its villages and escaping the crowds?

The Cliffs of Vercors

From the Col de Rousset to the cliffs of the Vercors, lovers of the great outdoors will be in their element. The Drôme mountains have so much to offer: rolling hills, breathtaking views of the Alps, and wildlife in its natural habitat…

Best of all, you can enjoy these discoveries on foot, along hiking trails, or by canoe, through the gorges and rivers of the Vercors, in both summer and winter!

The lavender fields in front of Grignan Castle

Perched between the plains and mountains of the Drôme Provençale, the Château de Grignan overlooks the village that shares its name. A symbol of Renaissance architecture and French Classicism, the château has stood watch over the region since the 11th century. Witness to major chapters of French history, it was only listed as a Historic Monument and awarded the Musée de France label in 1993.

Yet the Château de Grignan remains vibrant: every year from June to July, lavender blankets the surrounding plains, creating a striking contrast between deep purple fields and the silhouette of Mont Ventoux.

The Baronnies Provençales Regional Nature Park

The Drôme is an unspoiled green haven, rich in diverse landscapes. Take time to explore it on foot, with hikes through its natural parks.

Let yourself be awed by the raw beauty of green cliffs, endless lavender fields, winding rivers, and ancient aqueducts.

Perched villages and Provençal lifestyle

To truly experience the region’s unique beauty, start by visiting its authentic villages and meeting local artisans.

Montbrun-les-bains  

Ranked among the “Most Beautiful Villages in France“, Montbrun-les-Bains quickly reveals why: nestled against a green mountainside, its white-stone medieval houses dot the landscape. In the heart of a valley that shifts from green to purple with the seasons, the village rises like a rocky spur, watching over the region.

Wander through flower-lined old streets and take time to slow down, discovering the Drôme lifestyle: authentic, sustainable, and humble.

Poët-Laval 

Another jewel of the Drôme Provençale, this typical village isn’t just a place to visit, it’s a place to discover. Take the time to admire its whitewashed walls, stroll along its cobbled streets, meet passionate shopkeepers, and listen to local stories…

An authentic and unspoilt place opens up before you!

Suze-la-Rousse 

It wasn’t the inhabitants who gave the town its name, but the colour of its stone. The cobbled streets, the ancient walls of Provençal houses, and the medieval castle perched above the town all share a golden hue that invites you to wander. The castle has lived many lives, royal residence, village church, and now a university dedicated to wine.

In the heart of the vineyards, Suze-la-Rousse invites you to discover its winegrowing heritage and the people behind it.

La Roche-sur-Grâne 

With its strong Drôme identity, mountain dotted with white stone houses, and generous sunshine, La Roche-sur-Grâne stands out as a model of ecological responsibility. The Centre Les Amarins embodies this commitment through agroecology, offering young people hands-on training, farm immersion programs, and all the tools needed to build sustainable skills. Deeply invested in renewable energy and a more conscious way of life, the organisation aligns perfectly with Teritoria’s mission. A place well worth discovering.

A region to taste and discover

In Nyons, olive trees cling to the gentle slopes like guardians of a thousand-year-old heritage. Black olives are cultivated here with patience and passion. At the Maison des Huiles d’Olive, the aromas are captivating, fresh herbs, almonds, lavender, green apples… Each drop tells the story of the land and time-honoured techniques. A little further on, flowers fill the hills with their fragrance. At the distillery, you can watch them slowly transformed into precious essences, among stills and rising blue steam.

Then comes Montélimar, with its picture-postcard charm. Here, nougat is more than just a sweet treat, it’s a promise of childhood. In artisan workshops, warm honey is blended with roasted almonds, stirred by hand, poured into moulds, and cut with a wire. It’s an ode to craftsmanship and slow indulgence, far from the hustle and bustle.

But the highlight of the trip is Hauterives. Here, a humble postman, Ferdinand Cheval, spent 33 years building a palace straight from his dreams. Day after day, stone by stone, collected during his rounds, he sculpted the Palais Idéal, a strange, fragile, and monumental creation inspired by Hindu temples, medieval castles, and natural caves. A world apart, shaped by patience, obsession, and raw beauty.

In the Drôme, everything takes time. Nothing is rushed; everything is sincere. Here, you’ll rediscover a taste for simple pleasures, the magic of slowness, and the poetry of forgotten gestures. It’s as much an inner journey as a geographical one, a return to what truly matters. To help you prepare for this return to the essentials, sign up for our newsletter for inspiration and enjoy rewards through our loyalty programme. Because the Drôme is also a lifestyle to be shared, explore our gift cards and gift boxes, and invite your loved ones to experience the journey too.

By Émilie FALLOT NGUYEN