Montjoux between Lance and Provence
Accommodation in Montjoux
Montjoux lies between the mountains and Provence, with the 1,347-metre-high Lance dominating the landscape. Around the village, lavender fields, pastoral meadows, and fields of wheat and sunflowers alternate with pine, oak, and beech forests on the slopes. A hike on Montagne de la Lance offers far-reaching views of the peaks of the Drôme Provençale and nearby Mont Ventoux.
Montjoux has two short circular hiking trails, as well as a section of the GR de Pays and a section of the GR. The named routes differ in their described courses and characteristics. Le Devès is a short circular route that runs mostly along paths. Some sections are more technically challenging. It is suitable for a family outing, but not for strollers. Along the way, the route passes lavender fields and offers views of the Massif de la Lance and the hamlet.
Cols Marot et Imbert starts in La Paillette, leads to Col de Marot, and then descends to the old village of Montjoux. Along the way, forests of downy oak, Scots pine, boxwood, ancient chestnut trees, and beech alternate with scattered ruins on the slopes of Lance. The route can therefore be described both by its waypoints and by its landscape. Another circular route, about five kilometres long, passes through the hamlets of Montjoux and offers the opportunity to visit local potters and artists. Check in advance whether individual studios are open to visitors.
Église Saint-Etienne is a Romanesque church dating from the early 13th century. Its architectural features include a semicircular apse and a single-nave layout. The Vieux Village grew up around the church and also around a hospital founded by the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem. These historical connections offer a different perspective on the old village from the paths through the surrounding countryside: here, the focus is on the village’s development and architectural history.
Château de Montjoux is also part of the commune’s history. Claude de Vesc had it built between 1493 and 1498 after returning from the First Italian War. During the Second World War, the château housed the headquarters of the Resistance command in the southern Drôme area. Today it is privately owned and not open to the public, so do not plan an interior visit. The present-day Temple de La Paillette was built in 1827. Concerts, exhibitions, conferences, and other cultural events have been held there.
Atelier Douce Argile makes decorative and practical objects from glazed ceramics, including bowls, teapots, plates, salad bowls, and jugs. During a visit, you can learn about the different stages of production; check in advance whether visits are possible. The Atelier-Galerie of Dominique Pouchain displays ceramic and bronze sculptures, as well as monotypes. Visits are by appointment only and must be arranged on site; confirm that a visit is possible before your trip.
The restaurants also have their own distinctive touches: Chez Josette serves fresh, seasonal produce from environmentally conscious farming, while Le Relais du Serre offers regional cuisine and a menu of specialities. As restaurant offerings can change, check their current opening status before your trip. When choosing your stay, you can consider whether hiking trails, the village’s history and architecture, a studio visit, or regional cuisine is the main draw for you.
Discover more destinations: Andancette, Romans-Sur-Isère, Mirabel-Aux-Baronnies, Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert, Roche-Saint-Secret-Béconne, Eurre, Granges-Les-Beaumont, Omblèze
For the main travel overview: DrĂ´me.
