The Val Drôme Soleil campsite in the Drôme department is situated in one of the most beautiful areas of France. In a landscape of slopes, steep rocks and mountains. The majority of the department has been a protected nature reserve since 1979 and derives its name from the river Drôme. The river is near the campsite and is a joy for both young and old. In spring, when there is more water in the river, it offers excellent canoe and rafting possibilities for the more experienced.
Amidst large vineyards, orchards, lavender fields and above all the rugged nature, are picturesque towns like Crest, Mirmande and Die. There are also cheerful markets, a butterfly garden and a crocodile farm nearby.
There are many places of interest and lots of opportunities for daytrips in the area: walking, on a bicycle or by car. For instance to the mountains, Col de la Bataille, Col de la Chaudière, Col de Rousset and Combe Laval. We also recommend the pottery village Dieulefit and the big Thursday market in Nyons. The well-known towns in the area are Valence, Romans and Montélimar.
Around the department.
The Drôme lies between the Alps, the Ardèche, the Rhône valley and Provence. The area is privileged to have clean air and a very stable climate. Due to the large height differences in the department, between 60 and 2400 meters, there is a very rich variety of flowers and plants. It is a paradise for people who seek tranquillity and who love nature.
Val Drôme Soleil is surrounded by mountains. To the north lies the regional nature reserve 'Parc du Vercors', a landscape dominated by huge limestone rocks, pine and beech forests and almost unspoiled nature. A paradise for walkers. They can make a selection from 180 tracks. There are a lot of streams, some of them cut deep into the limestone plateau creating impressive caves, which we highly recommend for a visit.
In the west we find the Rhône valley, known for its tasty wine and lovely castles, high above the colourful valley. Here you can visit nature reserves and prehistoric parks.
To the south lies Provence, with its lavender and sunflower fields and the vineyards. In addition, there are the Greek and Roman archaeological sites.
When you turn off the motorway, you will see the highest fortified tower in France from quite a distance, against the Crest hill. The tower is definitely worth a visit and worth climbing. At the top of the tower you have a great view of the surrounding area. The 'wooden bridge' in Crest is also unique - it's the longest wooden bridge accessible to cars in Europe.
Nothing is better than finding some culture on your holiday, in the form of a festival, concert or museum visit. There are lots of events to visit during summer in the Drôme and surrounding area. It's lovely to combine them with a nice meal or an overnight stay at a hotel. For more information, click here:
Ladrome Tourisme
If you're unlucky enough to have a rainy day during your holiday, don't worry. You can always come to our restaurant, where there are games to borrow and play. There's also the library. And we often show a film on a big screen on days like this. There's plenty to do in the local area too. You can go to the caves, the crocodile farm or the indoor playground, a five-minute drive from the campsite. Take a look under 'Links' for further information.
This might be handy when planning a day out: the Keolis 28 bus between Valence and Luc-en-Diois via Crest and Die also stops down the road at both car parks on the D 164. You can find the timetable and further information here:
Time table