Châtillon-en-Diois / Die (stage 8)

5 points of interest

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  Châtillon-en-Diois

  Nestled at the foot of the most southern cliffs of the Vercors, this medieval village has preserved from its past narrow streets called "rapes" and 17 fountains with stone basins on which climb the plants of the botanical village.Capital of canton along the river Le Bez, Châtillon-en-Diois offers all shops and services, a swimming pool and many festivities during the summer season. Its vineyard, one of the highest in France, produces red, white and rosé wines with an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée.

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  View of the Châtillon vineyard

  The Châtillon-en-Diois vineyard produces wines of Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC). It comprises only 65 hectares of vines, making it one of the smallest appellations. The vineyard extends over the foothills of the Vercors, which protects it from the winds of the North. It produces red and rosé wines from gamay syrah and pinot noir grapes, as well as white wine from aligoté and chardonnay grape varieties.

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  The forest of Glandasse

  The state forest of Glandasse covers more than 21 km². Under Mediterranean influence, there are mainly oaks and black pines. The latter, because of their relative rusticity and good tolerance to the soil, were a kind of choice in the reforestation work as part of the Mountain Restoration Policy (RTM) Administration of Water and Forests at the beginning of the twentieth century to fight erosion of the slopes.

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  Glandasse

  The mountain of Glandasse dominates the Diois from the top of its 2,041 meters. Its cliffs are popular for climbing, while the plateau at its summit is a place of estive for many sheep. Included in the nature reserve of the Hauts Plateaux of the Vercors, the fauna and flora are rich. From the Col des Caux, it is the Roc d'Ambane (1,958 m) that stands in front of you.

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  Die

  The capital of the Diois, on the banks of the river Drôme, is dominated by the Glandasse. The old center is surrounded by a rampart of the 3rd century and conceals architectural treasures: Gallo-Roman ramparts, door Saint-Marcel, Romanesque mosaic. The immense Notre-Dame Cathedral is the witness of the prestigious past of the city. On the sunny hillsides, vineyards and limestone can be heard wonderfully to give the famous Clairette de Die.