Barnave can be explored through several distinctive themes: plants from dry habitats shape the village, a hike passes through vineyards on the heights, and medieval features survive in the fortifications. This gives the village a range of starting points for a trip combining nature, a cultural landscape and history.

Plants and nature

Barnave is part of the Natura 2000 site “Zones humides et rivières de la haute vallée de la Drôme”. Alongside the plants in the village, nature is therefore also linked to this designated area in the upper Drôme valley.

Barnave is considered a botanical village, where plants from dry habitats are collected. Around ten flower beds adorn the main street and the areas around the town hall, church and Temple. On a walk through Barnave, you can discover mahonias, well-adapted roses, the small Corsican spurge and ivy. The ivy helps reinforce dry-stone walls. The plants need little watering and can withstand cold winters and possible snowfall. Their common thread is their adaptation to dry habitats: in addition to the individual species, their growing conditions are also a focus. The flower beds along the main street and near the named buildings offer specific points of interest along the walk.

Serre, vineyards and hiking

The Serre runs from east to west. Its sunny marl soils are used by winegrowers who produce grapes for the Clairette de Die, Crémant de Die and Châtillon-en-Diois appellations. Winegrowing is therefore a tangible part of Barnave’s cultural landscape. The Chemin de la Clairette “Un balcon sur le Haut Diois” runs through vineyards on the heights of Barnave.

The hike starts in the village of Barnave on the Serre hill, in a small basin bordered to the north by the Plateau de Solaure. Remains from the feudal period survive on the plateau. The route takes 45 minutes, covers an elevation difference of ±50 metres and is designated for people over four years old. At 45 minutes, it is a short, clearly defined activity; the age guidance is also worth considering when choosing. The vineyards and Serre give the hike its scenic focus, while the plateau adds a historical connection.

Fortifications and church history

In Barnave, inhabited sections of the medieval rampart have been preserved. The town gate retains the structure that supported a portcullis. The inhabited wall sections and a specific feature of the gate thus represent different aspects of the history of the fortifications. The Temple de Barnave also has a historical connection to Poyols: it was an annex of the church of Poyols. Alongside the fortification architecture, a church connection is therefore part of the village’s history.

The different themes offer different ways to explore the village: a walk through the village draws attention to plants and dry-stone walls, the hike to vineyards and the Serre, and the wall, gate and Temple provide points of interest for those interested in cultural history. The hike is particularly clearly defined by its duration, elevation difference and age guidance; the other themes offer additional ways to discover Barnave.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Montguers, Bouvante, Dieulefit, Saint-Jean-En-Royans, Roussas, Truinas, Recoubeau-Jansac, Montjoux.

Return to the main travel overview: Drôme.