Baronnies provencales
Located just an hour south of the campsite Les Bastets in Marsanne, the regional natural park of the Baronnies Provençales is a place where sights, scents, and sounds. Would you like to discover an exceptional nature and see landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see during your next camping vacation in the Drôme Provençale? The combination of nature, food, and wellness makes this the ultimate French destination one should not miss.
The Provencal Baronnies, the Provence of the mountains
Located in Provence, straddling the Hautes-Alpes and the Drôme, the Provençal Baronnies is a regional nature park created in 2015. With Mount Ventoux to the south, the Alps to the east, and the Rhone Valley to the west, it is made up of a mountain with varied landscapes that benefits from a pleasant Mediterranean climate.
There are large oak forests, wetlands, fields of lavender and olive trees, scrubland and impressive limestone cliffs. This preserved area of more than 1,500 km² is endowed with an exceptional biodiversity, varying from one environment to another. Insects, mammals, birds and reptiles populate the Provençal Baronnies.
Flower and plant lovers will appreciate the rich flora of the park. In all, 203 animal species and 2,000 plant species are protected. This protection and the absence of light pollution makes it a famous place for sky observation. The park attracts astronomers and photographers every year and has an astronomical observatory in Moydans.
What to do in the Baronnies Provençales?
The rich nature of the Provençal Baronnies is an ideal space to practice many sports activities. Hiking is of course the main activity of the park, with the presence of 2 GRP (Grande Randonnée de Pays), the tour of the Baronnies which is 120 km long and the tour of the Pays de Dieulefit of about 100 km.
Many trails allow you to explore the park on foot, by mountain bike and on horseback. Courageous cyclists will find several passes to climb, like the Reychasset pass. The climbing sites of Orpierre and Buis-les-Baronnies will delight the passionate climbers with more than 1500 equipped routes.
One of the most beautiful via-ferrata in Europe is located in the regional natural park of the Baronnies provençales, in Buis-les-Baronnies: the via-ferrata of Saint Julien. Several courses are available according to age and level. And if you want to try paragliding, go to the mountain of Chabre and its international site of free flight.
Must-sees in the Baronnies Provençales
The cultural heritage of the Provençal Baronnies is just as interesting, with its villages, its culinary specialties, and its AOC. The park has several places to visit and the superb gorges of the Eygues and Méouge rivers are just some of them, as well as the Ventoux mountain in the south of the park for its 360° view.
Among the villages to visit are Rochebrune, Montbrun-les-Bains and La Motte-Chalançon. The castle of La Roche-sur-le-Buis and the old village of Arzeliers will please lovers of heritage. The Provençal Baronnies are also appreciated for its culinary specialties, such as the fabulous olives, wine, and truffles.
