Châtillon-En-Diois has two distinct highlights: the narrow lanes of the medieval village and the wine-growing area with its cabanons. A heritage trail leads through the lanes; the Sentier des Cabanons and Sentier des Vignes turn the spotlight on the wine-growing area and its cabanons. When planning your stay, you can decide whether to focus on local history or the wine landscape.
Medieval Lanes and Vineyard Trails
The medieval lanes are known locally as “viols”. The heritage trail has 14 stops and starts at the Champ de Foire, near the washhouse. This makes a named square and the nearby washhouse useful landmarks for starting the route.
The Sentier des Cabanons is a discovery trail through the wine-growing area and to its cabanons. The Sentier des Vignes starts at Domaine de Maupas in Châtillon-En-Diois and leads through the wine-growing area, which is dotted with cabanons. Unlike the heritage trail, these two paths focus on the wine-growing area and cabanons rather than the medieval village lanes.
The Office de Tourisme du Pays Diois office in Châtillon-En-Diois is open in spring and summer. There, you can get advice about hikes starting from Châtillon-En-Diois; tickets for guided tours are also sold there. If you are planning a hike or would like to join a guided tour, take the office’s seasonal opening period into account.
Churches, Gate and Hôtel de ville
Since 3 July 2021, Châtillon-En-Diois has held the “Plus Beau Village de France” label. The churches form a distinctive chapter in the village’s history. The Église Saint-Nicolas was built around 1200 as a seigneurial chapel at the foot of the cliff below the castle, and served as the burial place of the lords of Châtillon. The Romanesque choir vault is partly carved into the rock and built of small limestone and tuff blocks.
The Église Saint-Julien was built outside the town walls between 1688 and 1705 to plans by the Grenoble architect Dieulament. It replaced the Église Saint-Nicolas, which had become too small. Saint-Julien has a wall bell tower on the outside and a Baroque altar dating from 1751 inside. The two churches mark different periods of construction: Saint-Nicolas dates from around 1200, while Saint-Julien followed several centuries later.
The Tour de l’Horloge was built around 1725 above one of the two medieval gates that provided access to the inner part of Châtillon-En-Diois. The Hôtel de ville is a former hôtel particulier dating from the late 16th century. Its façades and roof have been protected as Monuments historiques since 2008 for their rare, high-quality painted decoration.
Wine Landscape and Event Dates
The Châtillon-En-Diois vineyard lies at an altitude of between 300 and 700 m and is one of the highest-altitude vineyards in France. This elevation gives the area a distinct focus alongside the village’s architectural history: the discovery trails described here highlight the wine-growing area and its cabanons.
The Fête de la Transhumance et de la Clairette celebrates the wines of the Diois, living traditions and pastoralism. The 2026 edition was scheduled to take place in the village on 5 and 6 June; a 2027 edition has been announced. Individual programme items vary from year to year. Check the specific dates and programme before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Nazaire-En-Royans, Saint-Marcel-Lès-Sauzet, Comps, Pennes-Le-Sec, Lachau, Ancône, Vesc, Portes-Lès-Valence
For the overview of the wider region: Drôme.
