Aurel combines a hillside setting in a mountain basin with vineyards, an 11th-century church and visible traces of the village’s history. It is also home to Clairette de Die made from the village’s vineyards, tastings at several producers and paragliding courses for beginners. These different facets help answer the question of what interests you about Aurel: the village and its history, wine or a sporting activity.

Hillside Setting and Vineyard Views

Aurel sits on a hill in a mountain basin shaped by marl and limestone. From Aurel, you can enjoy remarkable views of the surrounding vineyards and mountains. The setting, the basin’s geology and the views describe different aspects of the place: its position, the surrounding landscape and the view over the vineyards. In this way, the mountainous surroundings are tied to a specific connection with winegrowing. The narrow lanes add a perspective on the village itself to this impression of the landscape.

Those who take both the landscape and the village setting into account when choosing a destination will find different points of interest here. The views extend over vineyards and mountains; the narrow lanes, the church and a former mineral-water spring collection building draw attention to details within the village. These are distinct impressions: the views describe the surroundings, while the lanes and historic buildings focus attention on Aurel itself.

Two Details from the Village’s History

The 11th-century church provides a clear historical reference point. Another trace of the village’s history is the former mineral-water spring collection building, which is still visible today. Its ornate iron lintel is a particularly striking feature. For the church, the emphasis is on its dating to the 11th century; for the former spring building, the focus is on its past function and a visible architectural detail.

These two examples therefore tell different stories. The church is a building from a specified century, while the former spring building is described in terms of its previous role as part of the mineral-water spring collection. Together with the narrow lanes, they provide several specific points of reference for the village’s history without reducing Aurel to a single building.

Clairette de Die and Tastings

Aurel’s vineyards produce Clairette de Die. Three local producers offer tastings and cellar tours. Domaine des Muttes offers cellar tours as well as tastings of Clairette and Crémant de Die. Ducol Frères SCEA offers tastings of Clairette de Die Tradition or Brut. Raspail Georges EARL offers cellar tours and tastings of Clairette and Crémant de Die.

The differences between the offers are useful when deciding what to choose: Domaine des Muttes and Raspail Georges both offer cellar tours and tastings. Ducol Frères lists the two options, Clairette de Die Tradition or Brut, for tastings. If you would like to plan a cellar tour, the first two offers are relevant; if you are looking specifically for one of the two Clairette varieties listed, Ducol Frères is the place to start. Confirm arrangements before travelling, especially if a tour or a particular tasting is important to your plans.

Paragliding Courses as Another Option

Paragliding is also one of the activities offered in Aurel: the local paragliding school runs courses for beginners. For flights with Jeux d’Ailes, the meeting point is in Aurel, next to the small Saint-Pierre Chapel. The course and meeting point answer different planning questions: the course is relevant to those interested in learning to paraglide, while the chapel marks the meeting point for flights.

You can explore Aurel according to your own interests without treating wine, village history and paragliding as a single activity. You can focus on the visible details of the village and its surroundings, or on a specific tasting offer or the beginner courses. For the wine experiences, it is worth keeping the different options and arrangements before travelling in mind.

Discover more destinations: Aleyrac, Mévouillon, Lens-Lestang, Châtillon-En-Diois, Châteaudouble, Laborel, Aulan, Ratières.

See the regional travel guide: Drôme.