Roynac offers several reasons to explore the area’s landscape, nature and history. The orientation board opens up a 180-degree panorama across the plain and its surroundings. It also helps visitors identify the surrounding peaks. For anyone interested in the landscape, it offers a wide-ranging view as well as guidance to the heights around the village.
Landscape and nature around Chevrière
One specific landmark is the Crête de la colline de Chevrière. The area covers about 2.7 hectares and lies on the summit of Mont de la Chevrière, which extends across Roynac and Puy-Saint-Martin. The ridge features limestone grassland and has strong potential for orchids and insect fauna. Chevrière is also considered a remarkable natural area along the “Le Baron et Chevrière” route. These features make the area interesting for people who want to explore distinctive landscapes and nature; orchids and insects are among the area’s natural assets.
La Pierre sanglante is another landmark in the landscape: it is a hiking destination and a meeting point for three municipalities. A document from 1286 mentions La Pierre sanglante. Local legends are also associated with the site, including stories about Celtic human sacrifices and executions of prisoners by the Saracens (Moors). These stories form part of the lore surrounding the site and should be understood as legends.
The old village and Saint-Lambert
The old village of Roynac is home to notable buildings and architectural details. These include the Lombard bell tower of Saint-Lambert Church. Cellars and sheepfolds with dry-stone vaulted ceilings add to the character of the village. They show a different side of its cultural heritage from the church: here, the vaulted spaces and their construction take center stage.
The former Romanesque church of Saint-Lambert was a small building with two parallel naves: one dates from the 12th century, the other from the 16th century. Its vault collapsed on 16 July 1768. Today, only the bell tower and four sections of wall remain. This historical context helps visitors understand the surviving parts as the remains of a once larger church building. Access to the bell tower ruins is prohibited; check the access rules again before your trip.
Routes for hikers and cyclists
The route over the Col du Devès gives hikers and cyclists access to the old village. For planning purposes, this is different from the Grand Tour de la Valdaine cycling route, where the Tartaiguille climb in the hills above Roynac is the more challenging option. The two suggestions help distinguish between different interests: the route to the old village on the one hand, and a more demanding cycling option on the other.
You can explore Roynac according to your own interests: the orientation board and Chevrière invite you to focus on the landscape and nature, while Saint-Lambert, the dry-stone vaulted spaces and the legends of La Pierre sanglante open up historical and cultural themes. If you enjoy walking or cycling, you can also consider the route via the Col du Devès or the more challenging Tartaiguille option. These places and routes offer different ways to plan a stay, without implying a set order or a single circular route.
Discover more destinations: La Charce, Portes-Lès-Valence, Saint-Marcel-lès-Valence, Bren, Chanos-Curson, Puy Saint Martin, Valaurie, Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert.
For the broader travel overview: Drôme.
