Châtillon-en-Diois - Les Nonières
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CHÂTILLON-EN-DIOIS
Châtillon-en-Diois was founded during the Gallo-Roman, but it was then situated on flat ground, approximately 1 km from the West of the current village.
Afterwards, the repetitive invasions of 'barbarians', the rivalries and the confrontations between feudal lords motivated the inhabitants to leave their residences of plain and to settle down on a peak easier to defend. We have no documents of this period but at the beginning of the 13th century, the inhabitants are grouped around the rock of the castle. They are approximately 1200 and are grouped in the highest part of the current old town, protected by a rampart which began construction in 1242. They live relatively well from agricultural crops and livestock.
They are a free people, the relationship with their Lord is based on a charter which settles the rights and duties of each. The community is administered by an assembly of elected notables, consuls and delegates, a cutting-edge City Council. The charter was renewed by the successive Lords, the bishops of Die from 1321 until the Revolution.
However, the end of the middle ages was a difficult period. Châtillon-en-Diois faced bad harvests, the plague and the passage of irregular soldiers during the Hundred Years' War. So the reconstruction of the ramparts was decided in 1379, the perimeter of this new rampart corresponds to the current old town. After these painful events, the village prospers again. It becomes a fortified town controlling the trade with Trièves and begins to extend beyond its walls.
In 1551, the bishop of Die worries about the progress of the reformation in the Diois, and multiplies the visits in its diocese. In 1561, the Protestants were numerous enough to found a church.
Because of its strategic position on the road of Trièves, Châtillon-en-Diois will be the object of fights between Catholics and Protestants during the religious wars which began in 1562. The castle and the villages’ bulwarks were destroyed in 1573 by the order of the catholic governor of Dauphiné, but the village will stay in the hands of the Protestant party from 1578 until the signature of the Edict of Nantes in 1598. From then on, the municipality takes care of expenses of both places of worship and a temple was built.
At the revocation of the Edict of Nantes many Protestants exiled themselves. However, two years after the revocation there were still 177 Protestant families, the “New converts”, more than half of the inhabitants of the village. And, remarkably, catholics and protestants live together side by side being members of the Chatillon community above all.
At the Revolution, the temple destroyed in 1683, is reconstructed on the same place, at the expense of the municipality, for purposes of equity because it also had contributed to build the current church in 1688.
The creation of the road from Die to Chatillon began at the end of the 19th century and its continuation of the road avoided the village. From that time, all the commercial activities were developed on this new route and the old town was a little abandoned, which had for compensation its conservation.
You can see, the square of Reviron, the City hall, the Temple, the Church and the tower of Clock, but especially stroll in the alleys of the old town, very lively in summer.
Sources : «Petite histoire de Châtillon-en- Diois » by Michel Truc.
«Guide pratique pour une visite du Village Médiéval de Chatillon en Diois» par Bernard Ravet, Tourist office of Châtillon-en-Diois
RAVEL
The villages of Ravel and Ferriers are situated in a coomb in 1100m height, at 3 hours by foot from Chatillon by the GR 94 (or 20 min by car). They were almost completely Protestant from the reformation and nobody left at the Revocation.
As there was no existing catholic church in place, the Bishop of Die required that the inhabitants participate in the construction of a chapel which remained almost unused until the Revolution, then it was attributed to the Reformed Church and became the current temple.
The place is magnificent, with a view on Dévoluy, Jocou and the crests at the East of the Drôme river.
Free visit of the temple. Documentation posted on the spot.
Tourist information
Temple de Chatillon-en-Diois Châtillon-en-Diois
The new temple, the current one, has its entrance on the "countryside" side and is set between two houses. Engraved on the key in relief of the semicircular arch of the entrance door: "L'An Quatre de la liberté 1792".
Ruines de l'église Saint Nicolas Châtillon-en-Diois
Ruins of the former Saint Nicolas church, the castle chapel, built around 1200 and damaged during the Wars of Religion.
Cave Jérôme Cayol - Domaine de Maupas - Guided-Tour Châtillon-en-Diois
Free wine tasting. Individual or group guided-tour by appointment. We produce Clairette white sweet sparkling wine and Châtillon wines (red, white and rosé). At the wine cellar, screen presentation of the various steps of wine production and the work carried out in the vine over a year. Duration 30mn
Châtillon-en-Diois Châtillon-en-Diois
Châtillon-en-Diois has much to offer to the visitor: Nature is generous with le Glandasse Mountain and the river Bez. Vineyards surround the locality and a botanical trail span across the village. The town also offers a good representation of traditional architecture with its narrow medieval streets and houses.
Châtillon-en-Diois
It’s an imposing cirque of limestone cliffs marking the South of the Vercors. One marked path makes the round in 2h30 (starting from the village of Arhiane - follow “Les Carnets d’Archiane” with yellow and green trail marks).
Châtillon-en-Diois
Exceptional site for its protected flora. After one short effort you enter the Hauts Plateaux du Vercors Natural Reserve, transhumance territory (pastures, sheepfolds, cairns). From the edge of the cliff, an amazing view on the Mont Aiguille.
Châtillon-en-Diois
The Gorges des Gâts are made by the stream des Gâts, between Châtillon en Diois and Glandage. Walks are possible on old access trails to abandoned villages.
Col de Menée Croix Huguenote Châtillon-en-Diois
At the pass, above the road tunnel, at 1457 m altitude, stands a wooden cross replacing those erected in 1834 in memory of Diois fleeing into exile by through this passing.
Cimetière protestant de Chatillon en Diois Châtillon-en-Diois
“Top cimetery” or Protestant cimetery inaugurated after the 1787 "Patent of Toleration".
Le passage par Archiane allonge de l'ordre de 6 km, mais est bien balisé et l'étape est courte.
Il vaut le détour.
Très bon accueil chez Brigitte et Bruno au gîte de Bénevise. Bons conseils et bonne table.
J'ai fait un jour de pause ici et je me suis senti à l'aise. La piscine est bien sûr idéale pour cela. Bonne cuisine.
Ce n'était pas la bonne période pour se loger, en ce mois d'août 2020. J'ai pu néanmoins passer la nuit à la belle étoile dans le parc de l'Hôtel du Mont Barral, gracieusement, en utilisant les toilettes du restaurant et la douche de la piscine couverte, grâce à l'amabilité de la propriétaire.
Celle-ci envisage d'installer une tente pour les randonneurs, ce serait une bonne solution de dépannage.
J'ai pu profiter du restaurant, un peu hors budget mais de qualité ; petit déjeuner et pique-nique de très bon niveau.
Bonne étape !
J'ai réalisé cette étape en partant de Chatillon en Diois . Au lie de désendre à Menéee et remonter aux Nonnières, j'ai fait le détour par Archianne. cela rajoute environ 5km, mais permet de découvrir ce bel endroit.
nuit au Gîte de Bénévisse avec un excellent accueil par Brigitte et Bruno qui vous accueillent en demi pension.
Maintenant seule sur chemin avec mon chariot de randonnée j'ai dit zapper cette étape car raid VTT sur une partie du circuit. Pas forcément compatible avec l'encombrement de mon chariot
Arrivant de Chatillon le 27 aout 2018 nous avons fait étape au gite de Benévise. Nous disposions d'une chambre de 3 lits très confortable. La réservation est en demi-pension . Excellent repas avec produits bio et spécialités du Pays. Le petit dèj était à la hauteur du repas. Ca fait plaisir de s'offrir de temps en temps sur le chemin un tel hébergement. Merci
En arrivant dans le hameau de Bénevise par le sentier montant de Menée, le gîte est à 50 métres environ sur la route du Vallon de Combeau à votre gauche.
Attention pour ceux qui pensaient faire étape au gîte de Benevise, celui-ci est fermé et en vente (Info du 13 janvier 2014).
Vous pouvez participer à la qualité de cette rubrique ! Merci d’alerter l’Office du tourisme de l’étape des données erronées que vous auriez constatées.
Tourist Offices
Pays Diois Tourist Office - Châtillon-en-Diois Tourism institutionsChâtillon-en-Diois
Located at the center of the commercial street which cross Châtillon-en-Diois, at the feet of the medieval center, our office is at the square corner. A large public bench surrounds it, stop to get information or free Internet connexion thanks to "Cigale".
Accommodation Partners 
Gîte de Bénevise Group gîteChâtillon-en-Diois
Whether you're a group of friends, a family or an individual, staying one or several nights, welcome to the Bénevise Stop-Over Lodge ! Ideal for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts (amateurs or professionals).
Les Chaussières Campsite CampsiteChâtillon-en-Diois
Campsite under the trees located at the heart of the medieval village of Châtillon-en-Diois, near the river, with shade and a family atmosphere, at the foot of the Hauts Plateaux du Vercors and close to the Clairette and local wines domains.
Other Accommodations
Les Deux Mondes Bed & breakfastChâtillon-en-Diois
2 bedrooms (1 with a double bed and one with a double and a single) in a large, tastefully renovated village house. Breakfast made with wide range of homemade products served on the terrace in Summer with superb mountain views. There is lounge to relax on the ground floor.
Gîte du Suel Stop-Over Lodge Group gîteChâtillon-en-Diois
At the foot of the stunning Glandasse massif, on the edge of Châtillon medieval village, welcome to the gite, arrival point of the GR 91, 93 and 95 walking trails, and mountain bike tracks. Small climbing spot 500 m away. Accessible on foot from the village.
Stop-over lodging L'Auberge de Combeau Group gîteChâtillon-en-Diois
Small inn which looks like a mountain refuge. Located just by the Hauts-Plateaux Natural Reserve. Restaurant only by booking. Renting of snowshoes
La Bergerie Bed and Breakfast Bed & breakfastChâtillon-en-Diois
Andréas and Nicolas welcome you in in an entirely and lovingly renovated barn set between Le Combeau and l’Archiane streams. Surrounded by wide open fields, you will enjoy this quiet location with views on the mountains.
Camping GCU Le Pré des Moulins CampsiteChâtillon-en-Diois
In the heart of the medieval village of Châtillon-en-Diois, the campsite offers 100 pitches and 4 canvas mobile homes on a flat, shady site in the mid-mountain region, at an altitude of 560 meters.
Lac bleu – Koawa Vacances Camp site CampsiteChâtillon-en-Diois
The campsite and its lake are at the heart of the Drôme, at the foothills of the Vercors mountains and a perfect gateway to Provence. This is the campsite where everything sparkles! Sun, lake, nature and the famous Clairette - the region's sparkling wine - will delight the whole family.
Hôtel-Restaurant le Mont Barral Hotel - restaurantChâtillon-en-Diois
Between Vercors and Provence, in a preserved environment, under the majestic Combeau Rock, Sylvie and her staff will welcome you in their comfortable house, and invite you to taste the flavours of her local cuisine.
Les Paons du Jour Bed and Breakfast Bed & breakfastChâtillon-en-Diois
Ecofriendly wooden house built on a large ground, 500 meters from the village, carefully designed to make you feel at home. Facing the mountain, 3 independent bedrooms with bathrooms and private terraces. Organic breakfast. Restaurant within 5 min walk and open all year round.
Le Sareymond Bed and Breakfast Bed & breakfastChâtillon-en-Diois
At the heart of remarkable natural sites - Cirque d’Archiane, Vallon de Combeau - we are pleased to welcome you at “Sareymond", 5 comfortable en-suite bedrooms. Jacuzzi. We serve home made meals on request. Free wifi access and free car park.
Refuge d'Archiane Lodge Group gîteChâtillon-en-Diois
Situated at the heart of Archiane hamlet, at the foot of the "Jardin du Roi" cliffs, the stop-over lodge offers bedrooms for 4 to 6 people and regional cuisine. Activities: hiking, climbing, caving, water rafting.
Restaurants
Restaurant - Pancakes House - Les Deux Mondes RestaurantChâtillon-en-Diois
Les deux mondes restaurant offers savoury pancakes, 2 new plats du jour and one dessert every day. Everything is home-made
Restaurant le Mont Barral Hotel-RestaurantChâtillon-en-Diois
Soothed by the trickle of the fountain, come and enjoy a glass of Clairette de Die or local wine that complement perfectly our regional specialties : Archiane trout, lamb 'caillettes', walnut cake.
Le Moulin d'Enzo Restaurant RestaurantChâtillon-en-Diois
An old stone mill alongside the river Bez, between the vineyards and the Vercors' cliffs. Traditional cuisine, pizzeria. A warm welcome awaits you. Our specialties are pizzas - Diois lamb and oven-baked Ravioles pasta...
Restaurant le Bistroquet Hotel-RestaurantChâtillon-en-Diois
Under the lime trees by the fountain, le Bistroquet Hôtel-Restaurant du Dauphiné offers local terroir cuisine with many flavours.
Snack de la Piscine RestaurantChâtillon-en-Diois
Pizza on the spot or take away, "ravioles" and other pastas, salads, meats, home made desserts and daily menu. Snacking (paninis, waffles...).
Café des trois clochers RestaurantChâtillon-en-Diois
In the core of the medieval village, in a café atmosphere for the lunch and a cosy one for the evening, Véronique compose a French cuisine with local products of the market. Come discover also our organic and natural wines.
Le Clos des Lilas Restaurant RestaurantChâtillon-en-Diois
Pleasant shaded location with a bar, restaurant offering tasty cuisine. Close to one of France’s most beautiful medieval village with a friendly family atmosphere. We also welcome groups and events.
Le Caveau- Restaurant and Catering Service RestaurantChâtillon-en-Diois
You will enjoy a traditional and regional cuisine under the shade of hundred years old chestnut trees. The garden opposite can be open on request. Ideal location for private functions. We also have a food truck and a heliport on site. Why not try a helicopter ride this summer?