East of Valence, nestling at the foot of the Vercors hills, Die is a town with a particularly rich historical heritage. The capital of Pays Diois in the department of Drôme, it possesses some beautiful buildings and reminders of the past. The Roman era is still in evidence today, thanks to the ramparts and the St. Marcel Gate. This fortified gate in the ancient town walls, which were built in the 3rd and 4th centuries, is the only Roman monument still standing in the department.
Die has other gems like the Chapel of St. Nicholas in the old bishops' palace. First, there's the 12th-century mosaic of the Four Rivers of Heaven, depicting the four rivers in the Garden of Eden. Then there are the magnificent medieval frescoes and some sumptuous yet fragile wallpaper from the 18th century.
Continue your path along the old town's typical side streets to discover the 12th-century Cathedral of Our Lady (Notre-Dame). Destroyed during the Wars of Religion, it was rebuilt in the 17th century. As for the History and Archaeology Museum of Die and the Diois, it possesses many relics that reveal a rich historical past, from Prehistory, Antiquity and the Middle Ages in particular.
Die is also the land of Clairette. This AOC-labelled sparkling wine is a subtle blend of floral aromas and fruity flavours. Head to one of the cellars in the town and nearby for a delicious tasting, enjoyed responsibly of course.
Commune of the Drôme, Die takes place at two hours from Lyon and at about sixty kilometers from Valence. It takes place at the foot of the Vercors plateau, in the heart of the Regional Natural Park of Vercors and Pays diois.
Populated since the Neolithic, the territory of Die is also an ancient Roman city as evidenced by the many remains found on site. Today important tourist city, it takes place in the heart of the country of the Clairette and Crémant of Die, both AOC, and allows to appreciate many culinary specialties as the picodon, the honey of lavender, the nuts or the Sassenage blue.
Very popular with visitors to the region, the city of Die is an opportunity to admire a rich historical heritage spanning several centuries.
Die has several Gallo-Roman remains testifying to its antiquity and its great wealth like the ramparts of the third and fourth centuries. The walls, which are 3.60 meters thick, were two kilometers long and are now classified as Historical Monuments. Do not miss the Saint-Marcel gate, the main gate of the city, built in the third century and also classified.
Listed as a Historic Monument, the Notre-Dame Cathedral dates from the 12th century. From the original church, it has retained a Romanesque porch, as well as a southern wall. It was largely rebuilt in the seventeenth century, due to the damage suffered during the Reformation.
While strolling in the city, you will also be able to admire the Romanesque mosaic of the four rivers in the chapel Saint-Nicolas of the former episcopal palace which offers a symbolic representation of the universe and has been classified with the cultural heritage, the protestant temple located in an old Jesuit chapel of the eighteenth century and listed as a Historical Monument, or the Abbey of Valcroissant. Also classified as an historic monument, this building was founded at the end of the 12th century and dissolved with the French Revolution. Partly in ruins, it still has a cloister surrounded by an abbey church and monastic buildings.
Other classified or registered sites can also be appreciated in the municipality of Die like the Château Saint-Laurent, the house of the notary Chambron, the Renaissance houses, the presbytery, the bastides of Vaux and Sallières or of the 11th century tower in the Rue de l'Armellerie.
The only vestige of the old episcopal castle transformed into a Marian chapel in the 19th century, the tower of Purgnon deserves a stop.
Labeled Museum of France, the museum of Die and Diois offers archaeological and historical collections dating back to the Neolithic. It takes place in an old mansion of the eighteenth century and reveals including taurobolic altars listed as Historical Monuments. The ensemble is open to the public from April to October.
The animal park Jardin des Découvertes presents an incredible butterfly farm in the heart of a greenhouse to discover rare specimens.
Lovers of gastronomy will also be able to discover Clairette's cellars.
