This small French town in the Drôme Valley produces Clairette de Die sparkling wine. Surrounded by ancient walls, it offers a calm atmosphere and access to the Vercors Mountains.
Die, a small town in southeastern France, sits in the Drôme Valley with the Glandasse mountain as its backdrop. This former Roman settlement is known for its sparkling Clairette de Die wine. You can walk along ancient city walls, learn about local history at the Die and Diois Museum, or enjoy a glass of wine at the Clairette de Die Cooperative Winery. The nearby Vercors Mountains offer skiing in winter and hiking in summer, while the town itself provides a calm atmosphere typical of the Rhône-Alpes region.
Location and Geography of Die
Die is located in the Drôme department of the Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France. The town is situated in the Drôme River valley, with the Glandasse mountain rising to 2,041 meters (6,696 feet) nearby. This rocky formation separates the Pays Diois area from the Vercors Plateau. Die's territory is part of a regional natural park, giving you access to forests, rivers, and mountain landscapes. The town sits at approximately 402 meters above sea level and covers an area of 57.28 square kilometers.
Clairette de Die: The Town's Sparkling Wine
Die produces a unique sparkling wine called Clairette de Die. The Clairette de Die Cooperative Winery, the largest employer in the Diois region, has taken steps to increase its market presence. They adopted the brand name "Jaillance" to promote sales and exports of their sparkling wine. When you visit Die, you can tour the winery, learn about the wine-making process, and taste this local specialty.
Die and Diois Museum: A Journey Through Time
To learn about Die's history, visit the Die and Diois Museum in the town center. The museum houses a collection of Roman artifacts, highlighting the town's importance during the Roman period. You'll also find exhibits detailing the area's prehistory, its time as an episcopal city in the Middle Ages, and the impact of religious wars. The museum provides an overview of the region's cultural and historical development.
Historical Monuments and Roman Heritage
Die's past is visible in its well-preserved monuments and ancient architecture. The town is surrounded by Gallo-Roman city walls, which you can see as you walk around the center. In the Middle Ages, Die served as the seat of a Roman Catholic diocese, with its church functioning as a cathedral. Today, you can visit the Notre-Dame de Die Cathedral, a short walk from the town center. The cathedral's architecture reflects various periods of construction and renovation, making it an interesting site for those interested in religious history and architecture.
Activities in and around Die
Die offers a variety of things to do year-round. In summer, many tourists, particularly from the Netherlands and Belgium, stay at campsites along the Drôme Valley. You can hike in the surrounding mountains, cycle through the countryside, or enjoy water activities on the Drôme River. In winter, you can visit the Col du Rousset ski station in the Vercors Mountains. Here, you can ski, go snowshoe hiking, or watch sled dog racing. The station hosts France's Handisport Ski Championship and the international Alpirush sled dog competition.
Exploring the Surrounding Area
Die serves as a good starting point for exploring the Drôme department and the Vercors Regional Natural Park. Several small towns and villages are within easy reach. You can visit Romeyer, just 3.91 km away, or explore Molières-Glandaz, 4.27 km from Die. For a longer day trip, consider crossing the Glandasse mountain to reach Chichilliane, near Grenoble. This route offers views of the surrounding landscape and gives you a sense of the region's geography.
