The Sentier des Oliviers is an easy 3.7 km circular walk, with a walking time of around two hours and 144 metres of ascent. It starts and ends at the lower entrance to Villeperdrix. This makes it easy to plan as a standalone hiking activity for the day.

Hiking and Roman traces

Above the Eygues Gorges, the path follows an old Roman road carved into the rock. Remains of several bridges are still visible along the route. The remains of the Roman bridge on this path date from the mid-2nd century AD. The cliffs of the Eygues Gorges also provide nesting sites for griffon vultures. This means the hike brings historic traces of the road together with a special habitat, without requiring you to spot any wildlife.

Olive growing and dry-stone walls

Olive growing on Villeperdrix’s steep slopes is closely associated with dry-stone terraces. These terraces, also called “restanques,” are part of the topic covered by the information point “Le savoir-faire de la pierre-sèche,” which presents them as one of the oldest forms of agricultural land shaping. Alongside olive growing, this also offers insight into how the slopes have been shaped as part of local agriculture. Visitors interested in cultural landscapes will find a tangible connection here between cultivation and dry-stone construction.

The Angèle, Buègue and Léoux natural area

Villeperdrix’s Espace Naturel Sensible encompasses the Angèle and Buègue mountains, which are cut through by the Léoux Gorges. The natural area is intended to be accessible to the public for educational exploration. Information panels about plants, animals and landscapes, as well as parking areas, are planned to inform visitors. Check which facilities are already available before your visit. For orientation, it is worth keeping the gorge names distinct: the Sentier des Oliviers runs above the Eygues Gorges, while the Angèle and Buègue mountains are cut through by the Léoux Gorges.

The Church of Saint-Pierre

The Church of Saint-Pierre was part of a small priory that had been indirectly dependent on Cluny Abbey since the 11th century. The church was restored between 1991 and 2013; the work also included its furnishings, paintings, Stations of the Cross and stained-glass windows. The history of the priory and the restoration period offer two different perspectives in time: one reaches back to the 11th century, while the other covers the years 1991 to 2013. For those interested in cultural history, the long institutional history and the more recent restoration complement each other.

Lavender in summer

Below Villeperdrix, a surviving lavender still distils the produce of a local farm every summer. This seasonal connection makes distillation a special topic to consider when planning a summer visit. If you would like to include the still in your visit, check in advance whether a tour is possible.

Plan your holiday rental and stay

When looking for a holiday rental, it can help to consider the mix of activities you want: at around two hours of walking, the Sentier des Oliviers gives you a clear idea of how much time to set aside for hiking. The church, dry-stone terraces and natural area offer a focus on history and landscape. Consider whether you would like to organise your days mainly around the hike or combine different interests.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: La Baume-Cornillane, Miribel, Montmiral, Dieulefit, Montréal-Les-Sources, Venterol, Montsegur Sur Lauzon, La Laupie.

For the broader travel overview: Drôme.