But where is the Drôme Valley?
You may have already heard of the Drôme Provençale, the Vercors, Crest, or even Die… But could you point out the Drôme Valley on a map?
It’s pretty easy to find: start in Lyon and head south. After Valence, gradually leave the Rhône Valley and follow the Drôme River toward Crest, then Die.
And then, the scene changes.
The major highways give way to a lush green valley, surrounded by rolling hills and crossed by a river that remains a prominent feature of the landscape. The villages grow smaller, the mountains draw closer, and in the summer, the lavender fields begin to evoke a touch of Provence.
Welcome to the Drôme Valley.
Here, there’s really no need to choose between the river and the mountains: we have both.
And that’s exactly what makes our valley a little hard to sum up… and especially enjoyable to explore.
Between Vercors and Provence
The Drôme Valley occupies a rather unique position.
To the north and east lie the Vercors mountains. Crest is, in fact, considered one of the gateways to the Vercors.
And then, as you head down into the valley, the atmosphere gradually changes. The light, the stone villages, the lavender fields, and the vegetation already begin to evoke the South.
Yet we’re still in the Drôme.
That’s what makes this region so charming: in just a few kilometers, you can go from a river with turquoise waters to a hilltop village, from a lavender field to limestone cliffs.
And around Mirabel and Blacons, all you have to do is look up to catch a glimpse of one of the Drôme’s most iconic landmarks: the 3 Becs.
Dans la Vallée de la Drôme, les reliefs rencontrent déjà les couleurs du Sud. © Paul Villecourt / outdoor-reporter.comA valley shaped by a river
It’s hard to talk about the Drôme Valley without mentioning the woman who gave it its name.
The Drôme River is the true backbone of the region. It flows through the valley, winding its way past mountains, villages, forests, and farmland before joining the Rhône.
But what really stands out when you first see it is its natural look.
Its bed changes with the seasons. The water flows around the banks of pebbles, forming branches, beaches, and deeper areas. Depending on the light and the water level, its colors shift between blue, green, and turquoise.
The river is not only part of the landscape but also part of life in the valley: people walk or bike along it, paddle down certain stretches in a canoe, enjoy its banks… or simply settle down by the water at the end of the day.
Crest, in the heart of the Drôme Valley
When you arrive in the valley, there’s one landmark you can’t miss: the Crest Tower.
Perched above the town, it overlooks the Drôme River and is one of the landscape’s most prominent landmarks. Crest is located in the heart of the Drôme Valley and also serves as one of the gateways to the Vercors.
People come here for the market, the shops, the narrow streets, and the outdoor seating areas, but also to walk up to the Tower and get a bird’s-eye view.
From up there, the landscape becomes much clearer: the Drôme River at the bottom of the valley, the hills surrounding it, and, in the distance, the mountains.
Mirabel and Blacons: You’re almost there
A few kilometers past Crest, following the Drôme River eastward, you’ll reach Mirabel and Blacons.
Perched high above is the old village of Mirabel, a medieval fortified hilltop village overlooking the Drôme River. And directly across from it? The famous 3 Becs. We’re not even embellishing the postcard—that’s how the tourist office officially describes its location.
Down below, around Blacons, the valley widens out around the Drôme and the Gervanne.
And this is where Gervanne Camping is located.
Look up: Les 3 Becs
It’s impossible to talk about our neighborhood without mentioning them.
The 3 Becs overlook the Saoû Forest and are one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Drôme region.
The Veyou rises to 1,589 meters, alongside the Signal and Roche Courbe. Together, they overlook the famous hanging syncline of the Saoû Forest.
For hikers, it’s an exceptional area. But you don’t have to make it all the way to the peaks to enjoy the view: around Mirabel, the 3 Becs are simply part of the scenery.
A valley that changes with the seasons
The Drôme Valley is more than just July and August.
In the spring, the landscape turns green again, and the temperatures make it perfect for walking and biking.
Early summer brings long days, swimming, and fields of blooming lavender.
In September, the light becomes softer, the roads quiet down again, and the temperatures are often still pleasant enough to fully enjoy the outdoors.
Then autumn gradually transforms the trees lining the river.
And what about Gervanne Camping in all this?
Well… right on the money.
Gervanne Camping is located in Mirabel and Blacons, a few kilometers from Crest, in the area where the Drôme and Gervanne rivers meet.
That’s exactly what we love about our situation.
You can set out in the morning to explore Crest, hike up to a hilltop village, hop on your bike, head toward the Vercors, or follow the valley toward Saillans and Die… then return to the campground and enjoy the river.
In the end, it’s hard to say whether we prefer vacations in the mountains, by the water, or with a touch of Provence.
We’d rather not choose.
So, where is this Drôme Valley?
In the end, the answer is pretty simple.
It is located south of Lyon, past Valence, around Crest and along the Drôme River, between the Vercors mountains and the landscapes that gradually give way to the South.
It’s pretty easy to understand when you look at a map.
But a map shows neither the colors of the Drôme, nor the old hilltop villages, nor the lavender fields, nor the 3 Becs silhouetted against the horizon.
To find out, you’ll have to come see for yourself.
And now, at least, you know where to find us.