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Pont-en-Royans

Visit Pont-en-Royans (Rhone-Alpes, France)

The small town of Pont-en-Royans is situated between Grenoble (to the north-east) and Valence (to the south-west), in the southern part of the Isere department, in the Rhone-Alps region of south-east France. It is at the edge of the Vercors Natural Regional Parc.

The village

The highlight in Pont-en-Royans itself is the 'suspended' 16th century medieval houses that line the cliffs along the river, many painted in attractive pastel colours, some with balconies over the 'abyss', and all very scenic. The best view along the river and houses is from looking down along the river from the little stone bridge at the top of the village.

Below the houses there is access to the river for children to paddle and a lovely river-side picnic area.

The importance of water to the town is such that they have opened an unusual 'Museum of Water' which not only explains about water cycles, pollution etc but also has a 'water bar' where you can choose from more than 1000 bottled waters from around the world and still drive home safely afterwards!

Exploring around Pont-en-Royans

Scenic highlights in the region are numerous with the cirque and caves at Charanche and the Gournier waterfall being among the most visited. See also the scenic villages at Auberives-en-Royans and Saint-André-en-Royans (photo -left), among others in the vicinity.

There is a very scenic route between Pont-en-Royans and Villard-de-Lans through the gorges de la Bourne, closed when we visited but said to be exceptionally attractive as it follows along the gorges of the Bourne river, and also apparently requiring great care and attention to your driving.

Close by in Beavoir en Royans is the Convent des Carmes and its garden - the Jardin des Carmes. Laid out in the style of a medieval garden it has three main areas: Le Jardin des simples planted with herbs and aromatic plants; Le Jardin Potager planted with ancient varieties of vegetables and the Verger with a large number of different apple, pear, cherry and plum trees.

The town is also a gateway town for the Vercors Natural Parc, with its many scenic highlights.

Photos of Pont-en-Royans

Click any picture to start the gallery

Address: Pont-en-Royans, Grenoble, Isere, Rhone-Alpes, 38680 || GPS: latitude 45.063611, longitude 5.343333

Map of Pont-en-Royans & places nearby



 

Highlights close by

More suggestions: Vizille 34km; Valence 38km; Tain-l'Hermitage 39km; Tournon-sur-Rhone 40km; Mens 42km; Crest 45km;

See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near Pont-en-Royans.
See Rhone-Alpes and Isere (the region and department for Pont-en-Royans) for more travel ideas...

Suggested tourist attractions to visit near Pont-en-Royans, France

• Grottes de Choranche - site of natural beauty (4km)
• Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye - most beautiful village (16km)
• Vercors - regional natural parc (17km)
• Saint-Gervais - ville fleurie 4* (19km)
• Montelier - ville fleurie 4* (29km)
• Grenoble - town of art and history (33km)
• Jardin japonais - remarkable garden (34km)
• Parc du château de Vizille - remarkable garden (34km)
• Jardin du musée Hébert - remarkable garden (35km)
• Cirque d'Archiane - site of natural beauty (38km)

The French version of this page is at Pont-en-Royans (Francais)