Comps brings together several distinct themes for an exploratory trip: Romanesque architecture, a collection of beehive models, hiking trails and a Picodon producer. When choosing a holiday rental, it is worth deciding first what you want to focus on during your stay: the church and cultural programme, the special collection, or a hike?

Romanesque Church and Cultural Programme

The Church of Saints-Pierre-et-Paul is Romanesque and has been protected as a historic monument since 1938. It has a rare square floor plan with domes on pendentives. Pendentives are architectural transitions in the corners that bridge the gap between a square floor plan and a dome. Anyone interested in architecture can look at both the unusual floor plan and the dome construction.

A programme description from Comps Historique, updated on 9 January 2025, lists visits and concerts, with a particular focus on the church. It also mentions a concert season open to everyone from May to September. According to this description, the 12th-century church is opened as often as possible throughout the year; during the two-month summer period, volunteers and a heritage guide help open it. For groups, the description lists guided visits outside the main season by request. Check dates and opening arrangements before making specific plans.

Beehive Models and Picodon

The Ruches du Monde museum displays more than 200 beehive models from Egypt to Japan. Some are carved, painted or decorated. Materials used include terracotta, bark and stone, among others, as well as a wide variety of woven work. The collection can be explored from several perspectives: its geographical range, the different materials, or the craftsmanship.

One culinary link to Comps is GAEC Le Chevristan, a farm producer of AOP Picodon cheese. This adds a local producer to the cultural and landscape themes, and will appeal to travellers interested in food as well as buildings and trails.

Ruches du Monde offers children a seasonal candle-making workshop and a guided observation of beehives in display cases. These activities differ from viewing the models in the collection: the focus here is on a workshop and guided observation. Check dates and whether reservations are required before your trip.

Hiking Trails and a Viewpoint

The GR 965 “In the Footsteps of the Huguenots” is one of the hiking trails mentioned in Comps. The Col de Vesc–Cime des Ventes route leads to the Cime des Ventes viewpoint. The descriptions emphasise different things: the GR 965 focuses on the named trail, while the Col de Vesc–Cime des Ventes route specifically highlights the viewpoint as its destination. This can help you choose if you would rather start with a specific destination in mind. Check trail conditions before setting off.

Depending on your interests, a visit to Comps can combine architecture, a cultural programme, a diverse collection, children’s activities or hiking. When planning your trip, it helps to keep the different arrangements in mind: the concert season is listed as running from May to September, children’s activities are seasonal, and group tours outside the main season are available by request.

Discover more destinations: Valouse, Geyssans, Roussas, Beausemblant, Cornillac, Pont-De-Barret, Jaillans, Mirabel-et-Blacons.

For the broader travel overview: Drôme.