Discover Laborel: Heritage and Cycling Routes

If you’re looking for a hotel for a trip to Laborel, your interests may help you decide: local history, mountain panoramas, cycling routes or regional produce each offer a different focus. The places and topics below provide a concrete starting point for deciding what you’d like to include in your plans.

Church and traces of La Ville Haute

At the centre of the village stands the Église Notre-Dame du Rosaire, recognisable by its distinctive bell gable. It has been mentioned in pastoral visitation reports since 1635 and replaced the derelict Église Saint-Martin in La Ville Haute. A Palaeo-Christian holy-water font depicting a human head is set into the church wall. The church is closed; the key is available from the Mairie. Check locally before your visit to find out about access.

La Ville Haute preserves traces of former homes and an old cemetery that is always well maintained. The former village lay on the historic long-distance route from Orpierre to Orange via the Col de Perty. The “Tour des Baronnies” hiking trail also runs through it. From the village, the highest point of La Ville Haute can be reached in about half an hour; trail conditions may change. La Ville Haute offers panoramic views over the Céans valley. The history, route and views are all different reasons to explore this part of the village.

Viewpoints and scenery

At the Col de Perty, the Table d'orientation du Col de Perty offers views of Mont Ventoux and the Alps. There is a large car park, with a short, steep path leading from it to the orientation table. Weather and snow can affect conditions. The summit of Montagne de Chamouse also offers wide-ranging views, with a 360-degree panorama. Conditions at the summit depend on the weather.

The “Crêtes de Chamouse (N°1)” route follows a scenic ridge with extensive alpine pastures. Another feature of the landscape is the Céans, which rises high on Montagne de Chamouse and flows through the Orpierrois. La Fontaine Noire is a developed sulphur spring that was once used to treat local residents.

Mountain passes and cycling

The Col Saint Jean combines varied scenery with a cycling route. The quiet mountain road there is considered particularly suitable for cycle tourism. The “A l'assaut de la Drôme à vélo (N°14)” tour starts in Laborel with the climb to the Col Saint Jean and ends with a descent from the pass back to Laborel. Route conditions may change; check them before your ride.

The route from Lachau and Eygalayes to Laborel via the Col Saint Jean passes through the Gorges de la Méouge and follows the Route des Princes d'Orange. For planning purposes, you can distinguish between two aspects: the described connection between the villages and the cycling tour, which starts and ends in Laborel.

Agriculture, produce and culture

During the seasonal “Visite de La Ferme de Mon Père”, visitors can meet sheep, lambs, goats, kids, donkeys, horses and dogs. The visit also offers insights into how goat’s cheese is made. There is a farm shop on site; opening hours may change. Check them if shopping there is important to your plans.

Laborel is considered a centre for growing blue lavender and lavandin. Visitors to Laborel can also taste goat’s cheese, honey and jams with unusual flavours; individual products may not always be available. Another cultural stop is the Musée du Rallye Monte Carlo in Laborel. It displays signed items, posters and racing suits. Check the arrangements for visits before travelling.

Whether you’re more interested in the history of La Ville Haute, the viewpoints and mountain-pass scenery, or regional produce, these different themes can help you find the side of Laborel that best suits your travel interests.

Discover more destinations: Châteaudouble, Malataverne, Saint-Bonnet-de-Valclérieux, Châteauneuf-Du-Rhône, Die, Bénivay-Ollon, Souspierre, La Motte-Chalancon

Back to the regional travel guide: Drôme.