Page 153 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

DRIVE 13: Valleys and Mountains 151

Left Stone fountain near Col de Grimone
Right Église de Notre-Dame in Mens
Below Road tunnel where Col du Rousset
culminates

EAT AND DRINK
DIE
La Petite Auberge moderate
The locals regard this restaurant as one
of the best in town. The building is
nothing to look at from the outside,
but the dishes are refined, and the staff
are friendly. Try the Archiane trout with
fennel sauce followed by pear poached
in Clairette de Die with crunchy nougat.
If you’re staying at the attached hotel,
9 Col de Grimone and Oct–Nov), with exhibits on local ask for a room at the back – it is quieter.
13 avenue Sadi-Carnot, 26150; 04 75
Drôme, Rhône-Alpes; 26410 history. Mens has several examples of
22 05 91; closed Fri
The spectacular mountain pass of the Trièves hexa gonal stone fountains.
Le Saint-Domingue
Col de Grimone (1,318 m/4,324 ft) ª From Mens take the D66 towards
inexpensive–moderate
bridges the deeply carved Jurassic- Cordéac. Pass through La Croix-de-la-
The restaurant serves generous helpings
era valleys of the Drôme and the Drac. Pigne and Les Moras and descend of local food including raviolis, smoked
From the lavender-coated hills of the towards the lake. Turn left to the dam ham and fish dishes plus excellent
Drôme, the passage towards the Col and there is a car park on the right. mixed salads. The terrace, with a view
de Grimone rises up grad ually, over the roofs of Die, is a great refuge
from the summer heat and crowds.
becoming incredibly narrow around q Lac du Sautet 44 rue Camille-Buffardel, 26150;
the Gorges des Gats. Continuing on Isère, Rhône-Alpes; 38970 04 75 22 03 08; www.hotelsaint
the D539, turn left onto the D1075 The turquoise waters of this large dominique.com; closed Sun and Fri
towards the 1,179-m (3,927-ft) Col de artificial lake are cupped in the valley dinner, Mon
la Croix Haute, the final mountain at the base of Tête de l’Obiou. The MENS
pass before the descent to the barrage was created in 1935, at the Café des Sports inexpensive
Trièves. Here the entire region con fluence of the Drac and Souloise This café is housed in a typical Trièves
unfolds to reveal the ridges and rivers. Along the lakeside near the village stone house painted pale pink
with burgundy shutters. Local dairy
peaks of the mountains of the Diois village of Corps, there is a nautical
products, meat and vegetables, includ-
and Trièves Alps: Mont Aiguille, Tête resort offering various activities. ing organic produce, are used in
de Lauzon and Grand Ferrand. ª Return to the junction near the cooking. The place serves generous
ª From the Col de la Croix Haute, lake and go straight on along the portions of home-style cuisine familiale
in an amiable atmos phere. There are
proceed along the N75. Turn right D537 to the right (do not cross the
apéro-concerts – live music and an
onto the D66 towards Lalley. Pass bridge), past Pellafol and La Posterle.
apéritif – on some Sundays.
through Lalley and continue on the Do not cross the Souloise river; turn Rue du Breuil, 38710; 04 76 34 60 37;
D66 following the signs to Mens. into the Gillardes car park on the left. closed Mon
0 Mens
Isère, Rhône-Alpes; 38710
During the 16th-century religious
wars, Mens was a fief of Protestant
faith and remains a major mountain
centre of the Reform Church. Every
street here ends in a mountain, rising
above the houses with their splintered
stone roof tiles. Tête de l’Obiou, a grey
peak rippled in white glaciation marks,
is nearest to the vil lage. Head to the
Place de la Halle to see the medi eval
market hall. On the same square is
the Église de Notre-Dame with a fine
sundial, and the Musée du Trièves
(open Tue–Sun May–Sep, Sat–Sun Apr
Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under €20; moderate, €20–€40; expensive, over €40