The “Les curiosités de Beaumont” geocaching route leads to notable places in Beaumont-Monteux and can be completed on foot or by bicycle. Along the way, 14 markers are hidden in the landscape. The area also has a local history in which the Isère was not only a boundary but also a shaping force. Beaumont-Monteux thus combines a choice of specific routes with a history of development dating back to the Middle Ages.

The Isère, Roman Road and Village History

To the east and south, the Isère forms the boundary between Beaumont-Monteux and the commune of Châteauneuf-sur-Isère. The Roman road is also a local landmark: within the commune, it is called Chemin de la Vie Magne. It ran through the area and also forms the boundary with the commune of Pont-de-l’Isère.

An old commandery was established at Le Perrou in 1202. It was founded by the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem, also known as the Knights of Malta. A flood of the Isère destroyed the building, after which the Hospitallers retreated to Saint-Romain-en-Gal. The history of the commandery therefore offers a different perspective on the area’s past from the village’s more recent development.

Floods in the 18th century destroyed large parts of the old village of Beaumont-Monteux. Most of those affected rebuilt their homes at the village’s present location. By 1806, the old village had disappeared completely; a few houses and the parish church had survived the floods of the Isère until then. The Saint-Vincent tradition also has a clear historical starting point: it was established in 1886.

Cycling Between Markers and Landscapes

The “Les curiosités de Beaumont” route focuses on the hidden markers and notable places in the commune. You can follow the route by bicycle or on foot. At the regional level, the “Circuit VAE: La vallée de l’Isère” loop first passes through vineyards, then follows secure paths along the waters of the Isère and the Rhône. Its description thus highlights a succession of different landscape sections, while the geocaching route identifies the 14 markers along its way.

A Garden Route in Five Sections

The Jardin zen d’Erik Borja was created in 1973. Its design combines Japanese garden art with the Mediterranean roots of its creator and the distinctive features of the Drôme. The visitor route leads, in turn, through the reception garden, meditation garden, tea garden, strolling garden and dragon garden. This sequence makes the garden a different kind of discovery from a route through the landscape: here, the path is divided into five named garden areas.

Independent, self-guided visits to the Jardin zen are possible at any time. Check the latest visitor information before you travel. This will help you weigh up a garden visit alongside your other interests during your stay: the local history runs from the medieval commandery through the floods to the rebuilding of the village, while the routes focus on movement, landscape and markers. Whichever of these perspectives takes precedence, Beaumont-Monteux offers a concrete framework for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Montguers, Miribel, La Coucourde, Aleyrac, Châtillon-En-Diois, Bourdeaux, Pont-De-Barret, Peyrins.

For the overview of the wider region: Drôme.