Top 10 things to do in Dieulefit

Top 10 things to do in Dieulefit

1- Traditional pottery and the House of Ceramics

It's impossible to visit Dieulefit without visiting pottery workshops and learning about this art. Visit a local potter's shop or head to the Maison de la Céramique. There, you'll discover the history of ceramics, with the clay quarries exploited since the Gallo-Roman era and portraits of the 46 potters established in Dieulefit and Bourdeaux. A permanent exhibition features over 200 pieces illustrating the region's rich history dating back to the Gallo-Roman era. You can take an introduction to working with clay to create your first pottery.

Prices: Exhibition:

• Adult: 3 euros;
• – 12 years: 1.50 euros;

Children's workshop:

• Child: 7 euros;
• Adult: 10 euros;

2- Stroll through the cobbled streets of old Dieulefit

Dieulefit is a very pleasant village with cobbled streets lined with shops and workshops, each more beautiful than the last, and a pottery tradition that has made the village famous. The pedestrian shopping street leads to the clock tower and the Tourist Office. The Viale, or old village, is the oldest part of Dieulefit and dates back to the 13th century. You pass through the Grande Rue du Château, the Place du Château (of which nothing remains) through cobbled streets, numerous staircases, arches, and vaults. A guided tour of the Viale takes you to discover the two churches of Saint-Roch (18th century) and Saint-Pierre (15th century), the Renaissance-style houses, and many other secrets.

Children can explore the village in a fun way with the Orienteering Sports Area. The aim is to find the wooden markers around the village with different routes (very easy, medium, and more difficult). The Orienteering Sports Area (ESO) card is sold for 0.50 euros.

3- An original visit

To discover Dieulefit in a different way, there is the original guided tour "Promenade de santé" . A guide accompanies you to visit the built heritage in a different way, discover the secrets of the climate, the know-how in terms of health and hospitality. On the program, health exercises, a herbal tea snack and the visit of an exhibition.

Prices:

• Adult: 6 euros;
• Child 10/18 years: 3 euros.

4- Saint-Pierre Church and the Renaissance House

The church of Saint-Pierre , originally known as Saint-Roch, was built at the beginning of the 15th century in the town which had just been enclosed by a wall. It housed a religious brotherhood and became the parish church in 1648 in place of Notre-Dame de la Calle. The original building was dismantled and burned down by the Protestants in 1561 and today only the ribbed vaulted choir remains. The Renaissance House has an entrance door whose lintel is decorated with an accolade and dates from the end of the 15th century. The window and the 16th century door are decorated with three coats of arms.

5- Varied hikes

On foot, by bike, on horseback, or on donkey, discover the many marked trails around Dieulefit. Nature is bountiful with green paths and wooded areas of chestnut and oak trees. Three rivers provide pleasant coolness in summer: the Jardon, which crosses Dieulefit and carves out the cliff, the Lez, and the Diois. Climb up to the chapel of Saint-Maurice on the mountain of the same name for a breathtaking view. The sensitive natural area of the Montagne de Saint Maurice was acquired by the municipality in 2013. It is an exceptional natural space to discover on foot, by mountain bike, etc.

6- Acro Pôle Aventure, activities for the whole family

Get your fill of nature and thrills with Acro Pôle Aventure for treetop adventures with treetop adventures, via ferrata, archery, climbing, adventure hikes, canyoning, orienteering... for children, adults, beginners or experienced.

7- Orienteering course on a natural site

You can have about an hour and a half of fun with an orienteering course on a natural site, meeting in Comps and suitable for ages seven and up. Using a map and in the shortest possible time, you'll have to find the various markers spread across the Acro Pôle Aventure site. Equipment is provided.

Price:

• From 6 euros per person.

8- The monument to civil resistance and guided tour of the “Refugee Artists’ Path”

The "Refugee Artists' Trail" guided tour allows you to discover the history of Dieulefit during the Second World War. This trail is dedicated to French and German refugee artists and resistance fighters during the war. You will pass through places of exceptional natural beauty and history, and pass by the Civil Resistance Memorial, honoring the people who saved others.

9- Taste a Picodon

Picodon is a delicious little cheese that has been around since the 14th century. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that it was considered a quality cheese. Made from raw goat's milk, Picodon is a soft cheese surrounded by a white, yellow, gray, or blue rind. It has a slightly spicy flavor that makes it a delicacy. It can be enjoyed on its own, with bread, in a salad, as a main course, or even as a dessert. The little Picodon train welcomes you all year round to Dieulefit station for unmissable events and to bring the history of this train to life.

Price:

• 5 euros per person for about two hours

10– The chapel of the penitents Our Lady of the Calle

Notre-Dame de la Calle is the oldest monument in the village. Its first mention in a text dates back to 1031; it is located in the cemetery and built on a Gallo-Roman site. Only a few sections of the walls remain. It bears witness to the grandeur and wounds of local history: devastated several times, it was destroyed by the Protestants.