Rhône valley, south to north towards the tunnel, where to go?

[Andy MacD]

Sunday is planning day for the week ahead.

Sitting in Digne-Les-Bains having retreated from the mountains having done most of Provence and the Verdon gorges area. Looking for some warmer weather (ie avoid frost on the ground in the morning )

We have 4 weeks to get to the tunnel and want to go up the Rhone and east side of Paris. Been to Orange so we’ll be joining the Rhone valley north of there. I’ve got the Michelin “Les Plus Beaux Villages map so I could just bounce from one to the next on the way north.

Looking for interesting small towns or villages, Aires and short (4 mile limit due to 16 yo Cockapoo) walks.

Any suggestions greatfully received.

Thanks.

 

[Nigel Crompton]

Vercors, more mountains, between the Drome valley, to the east of the Rhone, in the south and Grenoble, Col du Rosset starting from Die is the most dramatic way of accessing the area. You could easily spend 2 weeks exploring there.
Unfortunately you don't get the best view of the Vercor unless you drive up the D1075/A51 to the east of the plateau.
Look out for the roadside crosses with little bunches of flowers ... in these parts they don't mark road accidents but where French resistance fighters were shot by Germans ...


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vercors_Massif
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vercors

 

[suavecarve]

Vercors, more mountains, between the Drome valley, to the east of the Rhone, in the south and Grenoble, Col du Rosset starting from Die is the most dramatic way of accessing the area. You could easily spend 2 weeks exploring there.
Unfortunately you don't get the best view of the Vercor unless you drive up the D1075/A51 to the east of the plateau.
Look out for the roadside crosses with little bunches of flowers ... in these parts they don't mark road accidents but where French resistance fighters were shot by Germans ...


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vercors_Massif
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vercors

Great shout. Add la combe Laval to that and there are a couple of other "decent" roads up there (think big drop and no room) but they are generally void of traffic.
Pop over the river for ardeche and ceze as there are 4 or 5 beaux villages up there.
Seyssel nantua and serrieres then oil a right to the lakes of vouglans and herrison and back through champagne or Belgium (plenty in Belgium to do contrary to many an opinion)
Enjoy

 

[Peavy]

Vercors, more mountains, between the Drome valley, to the east of the Rhone, in the south and Grenoble, Col du Rosset starting from Die is the most dramatic way of accessing the area. You could easily spend 2 weeks exploring there.
Unfortunately you don't get the best view of the Vercor unless you drive up the D1075/A51 to the east of the plateau.
Look out for the roadside crosses with little bunches of flowers ... in these parts they don't mark road accidents but where French resistance fighters were shot by Germans ...


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vercors_Massif
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vercors

Beautiful Vercors, interesting place.

 

[Andy Norfolk]

Pop into Luxembourg City. Public transport is free.

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[Andy MacD]

Pop into Luxembourg City. Public transport is free.

Thanks but city’s are off limits, poor old mutt wouldn’t manage it and limits on how long he can be left in the van on his own.

 

[Jenben]

Vassieux on vercors is well worth a visit up on the plateau , the museum on the hill about the French resistance is very interesting.

The wine region around Die is also lovely to visit .
Hi,
I found this location on Campercontact! Check it our here: https://www.campercontact.com/en/france/auvergne-rhone-alpes/vassieux-en-vercors/2210/parking

 

[Riverbankannie]

By the lake at Nantua

 

[Riverbankannie]

Eguisham a must.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Lac du Der a good stop too.

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[julianbryant]

The Durance perfume factory and outlet shop is at Grignan in the Drôme, an area I’m coming to like a lot. Stayed at Dieulefit a few years back, nice little town.