Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert: River Landscapes, Routes and History

Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert offers several points of interest to help you plan your trip: the confluence of the Roanne and Lance at the foot of the church, the Roanne Gorges, several hiking trails and historic memorial sites.

Rivers and the Roanne Gorges

The Roanne and Lance rivers meet at the foot of the church in Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert. Another natural attraction is the Roanne Gorges, where you’ll find natural pools that are ideal for cooling off in summer, as well as a picnic area. The gorges are open to the public free of charge all year round. Check local access conditions before your visit.

Hiking routes through varied landscapes

The Montanègue route passes through lavender fields and climbs to a rugged ridge between the Roanne and Brette valleys. The route offers views of the Couspeau mountains and the Trois Becs. The Petit Paris route passes through oak and pine forests to Col de Muse. It is located in Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert, is 26.03 kilometres long and is rated “very difficult”.

Le col du Lauzat passes through marl terrain, lavender fields and broom in the Ruisseau de la Lance valley. This hike through the Désert is described as suitable for families. The Serre des Chaumes route passes through garrigue, Mediterranean woodland and lavender fields. The Tour de la Servelle trail reaches the cattle pasture at Sapey, which opens out towards the Vercors.

You can also compare the landscapes directly: Montanègue, Le col du Lauzat and Serre des Chaumes pass through lavender fields, while Petit Paris runs through oak and pine forests. The routes with explicit difficulty descriptions also differ: Petit Paris is rated “very difficult”, while Le col du Lauzat is described as suitable for families.

Chapel and memorial sites

The Chapelle Saint-Thomas du Petit Paris was built in 1634 at an altitude of 950 metres on a foothill of Montagne Couspeau. It can only be reached on foot via a forest path and was fully restored in spring 2022. A visit therefore combines a specific access route with the building’s historical context.

At the Petit Paris cemetery, a memorial plaque bearing the names of 225 ancestors of the Roanne valley commemorates those who have been buried there since 1715. Another form of remembrance can be found on the Tour de la Servelle: the route passes cairns commemorating Allied parachute drops.

Market and local produce

A market is held on Place du Chenevier on Friday mornings. As the schedule may change seasonally, check the latest market information before your visit. Ferme de Pourcier sells fresh truffles in season. Its range also includes olive and walnut oils flavoured with truffles, truffle-infused Camargue sea salt, and fine essential oil from lavender and lavandin.

If you’re looking for a hotel in Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert, you can start by deciding what you’d like to explore: are you interested in the Roanne’s natural pools, particular landscapes along the routes, or historic memorial sites? This comparison gives your trip planning a clear focus without reducing the different destinations to a single type of stay.

Discover more destinations: Sainte-Croix, Bourdeaux, Omblèze, Lus-La-Croix-Haute, Lachau, Upie, La Laupie, Combovin.

For the broader travel overview: Drôme.