Charens: Elevation, Nature and History

Charens lies in a valley at an elevation of about 850 metres on the northern slope of Tarsimoure, which reaches 1,550 metres. This location combines a clearly defined elevation with the mountain in the surrounding area. If you are looking for a hotel in Charens, it offers a specific starting point for choosing a destination: alongside its valley setting, the local features include a Natura 2000 site, a route to Haut-Charens and archaeological finds.

Landscape and protected area

Charens is part of the Natura 2000 site FR8201684 “Zones humides et rivières de la haute vallée de la Drôme.” The dataset revised on 16 January 2025 describes a mosaic of wetlands, mountain streams, gravel banks, alluvial and upland forests, rockfall areas, cliffs and meadows. The list therefore ranges from water-based habitats to forests and open meadows, as well as rocky terrain. For nature enthusiasts, it illustrates the variety of landscape types represented in the protected area. The site information also mentions significant populations of the Eurasian beaver and the white-clawed crayfish.

Route and elevations

The Le Grand Surnom et la Tête de Carabaou route passes through a pine forest and by the Bial de l’Ours gorges. On the descent towards Haut-Charens, it crosses the rock cleft at the Tête de Carabaou rock barrier. It then reaches Haut-Charens at an elevation of about 1,000 metres and passes the hamlet’s washhouse and a walnut grove on the way back towards Charens.

At Grand Surnom, the route goes as far as the foot of the mountain at 1,400 metres; the summit is 150 metres from there. These details distinguish the point reached by the route from the distance to the summit. By comparison, Haut-Charens, at about 1,000 metres, is higher than Charens in the valley at about 850 metres; the foot of Grand Surnom and the 1,550-metre-high Tarsimoure are higher reference points.

The road to the high-altitude village of Haut-Charens offers a different perspective, with unobstructed views of the surrounding mountain ranges. The approach to Charens passes through winding gorges. The route is characterised by forest, gorges and points of interest in the hamlet, while the road to Haut-Charens is associated with open views of mountain ranges.

Finds from different periods

The area’s history is also evidenced by two finds. Tools discovered during roadworks in Charens have been dated to around 5,000 years ago. The Charens hoard includes pendants, sickles and knives from the early Late Bronze Age; the objects are now on display at the Musée de Die. The finds belong to different periods: the tools are dated only to around 5,000 years ago, while the objects in the hoard date from the early Late Bronze Age.

Discover more destinations: Rochechinard, Montélier, La Coucourde, Épinouze, Saint-Rambert-D'albon, Chantemerle-Lès-Grignan, Eygluy-Escoulin, Cléon-D'andran

For the overview of the wider region: Drôme.