A church that has towered over Cornillac for eight centuries gives the village a distinctive historical landmark. Sainte-Marie-Madeleine originated as a 13th-century chapel and is considered a remarkable historic building. The village is laid out on terraces around the parish church. The steep lanes open up views of the cliffs of the Saint Laurent Plateau. The building’s history, terraced layout and landscape views thus shape different aspects of the village’s character.

Village church, chapel and landscape

Another sacred site is the restored Chapelle Saint Genest in Cornillac’s Serre district. It overlooks an impressive landscape and adds a second historical landmark alongside the parish church. The connection with nature also has a specific context: Cornillac is one of the municipalities included in the Natura 2000 site “Pelouses et habitats rocheux des Gorges de Pommerol.” Historic buildings, the terraced village layout and the protected area therefore offer different ways to get to know Cornillac as a travel destination.

Hikes of different kinds

The Tour de l’Adret is a moderately difficult circular hiking route. It starts at the Pierre-Vieille trailhead in Cornillac, descends to the village and ends with another climb. The alternation between descent and a further climb gives the route its distinctive character. Les Cols des ânes offers a different kind of hike from its base in Cornillac: donkey hikes are available there. Options range from day trips with a picnic by the river to multi-day hikes with overnight stays in a bivouac or accommodation. The main differences between day trips and multi-day hikes are their duration and type of overnight stay.

Agricultural insights

At Ferme de Pierre Vieille, guided visits for individuals and groups are available on request. School groups are welcomed for half-day visits that introduce the farm and its activities. The farm also offers tastings of its organic products on site. Plants are dried and distilled there to make seasonings, herbal teas, essential oils and floral waters. The Ferme also grows vegetables.

Plantago has a different focus: the business grows medicinal plants on 2,500 m² using organic methods and without mechanisation. Its own products are made from plants it grows itself or gathers wild in the surrounding area. The agricultural activities thus range from growing and processing plants to visits, tastings and vegetable production.

Things to focus on during your stay

When looking for a holiday rental, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on. You can take your cue from the village’s history and buildings, the moderately difficult circular hike or the agricultural insights. The activities also vary in duration: school groups can take half-day visits, while the donkey hikes range from day trips to multi-day hikes. This makes it easy to plan your stay around village history, a circular hike or a longer tour.

Discover more destinations

Montaulieu, Dieulefit, Pierrelatte, Saint-Ferréol-Trente-Pas, Chamaret, Roche-Saint-Secret-Béconne, Manas, Chastel-Arnaud

For the overview of the wider region: Drôme.