Around L'Hospitalier holiday cottage
Royans, Vercors and Drôme des Collines
The landscape
From Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye, each direction leads to a different landscape. Royans opens towards the river and its gorges, the Vercors rises towards the cliffs, and Drôme des Collines stretches gently westwards.
There’s more to discover to the north, in the quiet forests of the Chambaran, and further into the Drôme, with unexpected sights such as the Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval in Hauterives and the chocolate makers of Tain-l'Hermitage.
Three distinct settings, often less than an hour’s drive away.
Places to explore
3 minutes by car
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France · Voted France’s Favourite Village in 2025
Leave the car and explore on foot. Cobbled lanes, a history dating back to the 11th century and a free museum: allow at least half a day to get a feel for the village.
Visit Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye
40 minutes to 1 hour
Cliffs · Forests · Scenic roads
Beyond the gorges, the landscape opens up: cliffs, beech forests and the balcony road of Combe Laval high above the valley. Explore the Vercors by car, motorbike or on foot, depending on how much time you have.
Explore the Vercors
25 minutes
Royans · Villages · Caves · Scenic roads · Local food
Villages with houses suspended above the Bourne, a 235-metre aqueduct, caves and a paddleboat on the Isère. From Pont-en-Royans, you can easily spend a day or half a day exploring Royans.
Things to see and doLocal flavours
There’s as much to taste as there is to see: ravioles du Royans, Saint-Marcellin cheese, AOP Noix de Grenoble walnuts and Pogne de Romans… Discover local flavours at the markets, from producers or around the table back at the cottage.
Photography
Each season reveals a different side of the area. Discover it as the weather, the light and the mood take you.
The photographs on this website were taken by Gaétan Mahé, a passionate photographer based in the area. His is more than a visitor’s view. He knows these lanes, these cliffs and the golden light on the abbey. And it shows.
A break combining countryside and heritage
