Saillans offers different ways to explore the history and landscape of the area: a signposted circular route leads to Roman, religious and medieval sights; other paths focus on arches and footbridges, an old irrigation canal, or the vineyards. Canoe trips on the DrĂ´me add an activity on the water. You can choose whether to focus your stay on heritage, walking or the river.
Roman remains and historic paths
The Gallo-Roman milestone of Saillans is protected as a historic monument. It was designated by decree on November 16, 1905. Roman remains in Saillans are associated with Mutatio Darentiaca, a station where draft animals were changed on the Roman road. A marble inscription stands in front of the tourist office, about 1.5 kilometres west of the town centre. Two fountains near the church and at Fossé also date from 1725.
The signposted Circuit historique de Saillans is available year-round and passes through the town. Roman, religious and medieval sights along the route include a Roman marble stele, the Romanesque Church of Saint-GĂ©raud and fountains. Picturesque lanes with arches, footbridges and vaulted passages are also part of the route. A walk therefore offers you different insights into the history and architecture of Saillans.
Another route, the Circuit de découverte des arceaux, passerelles et passages voûtés de Saillans, leads to more than 50 arches, vaulted passages and footbridges at 29 locations in the former fortified quarters. It focuses on several distinctive architectural features and how they are distributed across the quarters—offering a different perspective from the historic walk.
Walks between the canal and vineyards
The Géobalade au frais le long de la Drôme is a shady walk along an old irrigation canal that supplied Saillans’s factories. The path is easy to access. The canal also gives the walk a historical connection: it recalls how the factories were supplied with water.
The circular route Sur les chemins de la Clairette – Les cabanons de vigne takes a different approach. This family-friendly loop passes through vineyards producing Clairette de Die and by numerous traditional vineyard huts. Here, winegrowing and the huts together define the theme of the route. So if you are choosing between walks, these routes differ not only in their surroundings but also in their focus.
Canoe trips and practical information
Canoë Drôme offers canoe, kayak and mini-raft rentals from Saillans for trips on the Drôme from Pont-de-Quart to Crest. The available routes include canoe trips from 3 to 49 kilometres long. Route length is therefore a useful point of comparison if you are planning a canoe trip. Swimming is also one of the many outdoor activities in the Pays de Saillans; check river conditions and access locally.
The Saillans tourist office carries the Accueil VĂ©lo label and offers a bicycle repair station as well as two bicycle boxes. Cyclists can find both the cycling certification and practical facilities at the tourist office.
Different criteria can help you choose between the activities described: the GĂ©obalade is noted for its shade and easy access, the Clairette loop for being family-friendly, and the canoe routes for their lengths of 3 to 49 kilometres. This can help you decide whether you would prefer to focus your stay on a walk, the vineyard huts or a trip on the river.
Discover more destinations: Tain-L'hermitage, Chamaloc, Miribel, La Begude-De-Mazenc, La Roche-Sur-Le-Buis, Beaumont-En-Diois, Saint-Barthélemy-De-Vals, Salles-Sous-Bois.
For the regional travel overview: DrĂ´me.
