The village “Saou” in the Drôme

The village of Saoû is located in the department of Drome, between the Alps and Provence.

The Drôme valley: so close, so different!

1’30 of light, energy, happiness … Less than 2 hours from Lyon, Grenoble and Marseille, there is a preserved paradise, where turquoise water touches the peaks, where the joy of living floods the small stone villages : the Drôme Valley!

So close, so different: The Drôme valley

From the Drôme valley to the Forêt de Saoû

The Drôme Valley and its river, its lavender & well-being, its hilltop villages, swimming in rivers, the terroir and short circuits, crafts, Clairette, Biovallée®, the forest of Saoû.

The Drôme, the last wild river in Europe

Saoû, a mystical forest

Surrounded by a real limestone wall, the massif covers 2,500 hectares and is home to exceptional biodiversity. True natural gem of the valley, sensitive natural space managed by the department of Drôme, the Saou forest rises to the highest point (1,589 m) of the famous Trois Becs

Saoû, a village and a forest to discover…

Saoû honored

From the TV news at 1pm on TF1, national TV in France.

Saoû, a village next to a captivating, immense and mysterious forest

La Drôme, between Vercors and Provence.

The Drôme and the forest of Saoû seen from above in the broadcast of Roots and Wings diffused this spring 2015,

Trailer >> Link video youtube
“L’auberge des dauphins”, in the heart of the forest>> Link video youtube

Saoû and its restaurants

5 ‘by car or 15’ walk by the old communal road, and you will be in the center of the village where you will be spoiled for choice.

Thierry, Mika, Mylène and Christian, Laurent, Nico and Mick await you in the 2 restaurants, the bar & lounge, the cafe- brunch to make you discover the products of this superb terroir in Drôme, France’s leading organic department. And, if you prefer to stay at the Domaine, enjoy small meals from Anais.

>> Liens page web

Restaurant / Thierry : http://www.saou-restaurant.fr
Restaurant / Mika : http://www.ceriseetvinaigrette.fr

Traiteur / Anais : http://lamusepapilles.fr
Gasoline Palace / Laurent, Nico and Mick :http://gasolinepalace.fr

Café-Brunch / Mylene et Christian : https://www.lesaintthiers.com

Saoû and craftsmen

Come and meet the craftsmen in the village. You will share a special moment with Adelaide, Joss, Carole, Celine,  passionate and fascinating people.

>> website Link
Joss : http://jossnaigeon.fr
Adelaide : http://www.terreapeau.com
Carole : http://www.laforetdeschapeaux.com
Celine : https://www.facebook.com/celinezbindencreation

Activities

On foot, by car or motorbike to explore the old villages or go in search of local produces, by bike, on horseback, on water, or with a harness … Or up there … you are spoiled for choice! Without forgetting the swimming pool of the Domaine du Roc …

On foot …

Ideally located at the edge of the  Saoû forest, the Domaine du Roc is an ideal base for hiking. Roche-Colombe, St. Médard chapel, the Grand Pomerolle are the aims of  half-day or full day hiking. And after a few kilometers drive, the 3 Becs mountain or Couspeau Summit await you … unless you would better explore the magnificent gorges of Omblèze at the gate of Vercors. Click here for loading  our selections of hiking.

By road bike …

With its multitude of small roads little used by cars, this corner of Drôme is an ideal playground for cyclists on the road. North, South, East, West, everything is to be done! From 50km to more than 100km, discover our list of routes from the house on our interactive map

By mountain bike …

The site of the forest of Saoû is a real “spot” of the region, with its 5 marked trails in the forest, from 15 to 32km, 400 to 1400 meters of elevations. Click here for loading  our selections of hiking.

By car or motorbike to explore the old villages

At the gates of the Drôme and Diois, discover the heritage through these small hidden roads ideal for a day drive.

  • Heading South: Poet Laval, Dieulefit, Grignan, the church of Comps, the old village of Bourdeaux
  • More to the south: the Mont Ventoux, Baronnies, Nyons
  • Easting: Marsanne potters villages, Cliousclat, Mirmande
  • To the north: col de la Chaudière, Die Valley Barsac the birthplace of Clairette

Or go in search of local produces

Discover local produces and let you be guided by your desires : Chocolat Valrhona, wines of the appellation Grignan les Adhemar or the Brézème, Nyons olive oil,  Eyguebelle syrup, Montelimar nougat …
Beyond each of these products, you will meet men and women who love to share their passion for this exceptional terroir.

On horseback, on water, or with a harness …

Canoeing down the Drome,  sensations at Acro Pole Adventure in the forest of Comps, a horseback ride around the edge of the forest or the river, an aquatic hike to La Motte-Chalancon or climbing among the 850 scales of the forest site with Tom: the hardest part will be choosing!

Or on a golf course …

With 5 golf courses less than 50km away, enjoy a stay at Domaine du Roc to combine discovering greens with multiple views and stroll through the old villages. We have a small preference for the 9 holes of Gigors and Lozeron, under the foothills of the Vercors … Discover our interactive map to organize your golf stay.

Or up there …

At sunrise or sunset, Oscar will make  you discover the forest and cliffs from his balloon for an unforgettable journey.
For thrill seekers, the volunteers of Aubenasson will make you discover the extraordinary feeling of freedom during a glider flight initiation.

Oscar : http://www.dromemontgolfiere.fr
Base Aubenasson : http://aubenasson.volavoile.free.fr

  • domaine du roc yoga

A wellness session after all that? ( or before …)

Enjoy the serenity and authenticity of our corner of Drôme to take care of you:

With Sophie, a Yoga session in one of our secret glades or a massage just down in the village.

Or an exceptional moment at the wellness center of the Chateau des Oliviers de Salettes, 15km