The Château de Saint-Bonnet-de-Valclérieux stands at Valéré. The municipality is located between the Thivolet Forest and the Chambaran Plateau. A trip to Saint-Bonnet-de-Valclérieux brings together two themes: hikes through the landscape and historical connections ranging from the château to the Gallo-Roman past. When planning, you can consider these themes separately or tailor your stay to your interests in nature and history.

Hiking among hills, forests and streams

Hiking is one of the sporting activities in Saint-Bonnet-de-Valclérieux. The “Autour de Saint-Bonnet-de-Valclérieux” route leads over hills and through valley bottoms, as well as through mixed forests of chestnut, oak and beech trees. It thus combines different types of terrain with a specifically named tree population.

“En amont des rivières” starts at the car park in the town centre. The route is very hilly, leading from hill to hill and from stream to stream. In the second section, it offers views of the Vercors and the surrounding valleys. Its starting point, hilly course and later views give this hike its own character.

The “Autour de l’Herbasse” hike follows roads and paths between hills and through undergrowth. It offers views of the Herbasse Valley and the villages of Miribel and Saint-Bonnet-de-Valclérieux. This hike can be undertaken every day throughout the year.

Compared with one another, the routes offer different perspectives on the landscape: the first combines mixed forest with hills and valley bottoms, the second highlights streams and views of the Vercors and the valleys, and the third features undergrowth and views of villages. You can choose according to which landscape features interest you most when hiking.

Château and historical traces

The Château de Saint-Bonnet-de-Valclérieux was probably built in the 13th century and rebuilt at the beginning of the 19th century. Its history therefore includes a cautiously dated origin and a much later reconstruction phase.

Remains of a Gallo-Roman villa were discovered at Le Replat. A later historical trace is the Reinage festivities, celebrated in Saint-Bonnet-de-Valclérieux in the mid-17th century in honour of “Mgr St-Clair”. Together, these references span the Gallo-Roman period through to an early modern celebration. Saint-Bonnet-de-Valclérieux is also planned as the next stop on a tourist religious route through the Drôme. This planned inclusion adds a regional thematic connection to the local historical traces; check the current status of the route before your trip.

Visits to the Asinerie des Combes

The Asinerie des Combes offers discovery visits, educational activities and animal-assisted learning. It also produces donkey’s milk. If you plan to take part in one of the visits, confirm the current visiting options before your trip.

Discover more destinations: La Coucourde, Le Poët-Laval, Montélimar, La Baume-Cornillane, Sauzet, Bourg-Lès-Valence, Miribel, Crest

For the broader travel overview: Drôme.