Bois Sec and Vaire - Saoû Forest

After swimming in the Roubion, you can finish the descent at nightfall: Vaire is a remarkable platform for stargazing, at the foot of the southern slope of the Saoû syncline.
Please note: the route is impassable when the Roubion is in flood.

Details

2308892
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.78 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 354 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 354 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,424 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,132 ft

Description of the walk

Departure from the car park at Francillon-sur-Roubion Town Hall.

(S/E) With your back to the car park, take the street on the left towards Bois Sec via Roubion and turn right at the hairpin bend to cross the village via Rue de l'Église.

(1) Turn right (north-east) onto the wide Chemin de la Tollière. It runs alongside fields and then crosses the woods overlooking Roubion.

(2) At the bottom of the field, the path narrows and turns left, becoming a trail that descends towards Roubion. Follow the river upstream for 600 metres.

(3) After a rocky section (dangerous during high water!), the path begins to climb and veers off to the right. Cross the meadow before climbing into the undergrowth.

(4) After a few bends, you will reach the edge of a field and arrive at Bois Sec. Take a sharp turn onto the dirt track on the right (west-northwest). Walk along the field, ford the stream and continue straight ahead.

(5) At the cross, turn right (north-north-west), climb up and cross the bare plateau of Vaire. Continue north-west, pass by the Virgin Mary statue and descend to Francillon. At the houses, take the street on the left and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,188 ft - Car park at Francillon-sur-Roubion Town Hall
  2. 1 : mi 0.15 - alt. 1,175 ft - Chemin de la Tollière
  3. 2 : mi 0.78 - alt. 1,224 ft - Path leading down to the - Roubion (rivière)
  4. 3 : mi 1.31 - alt. 1,168 ft - Rocky passage
  5. 4 : mi 1.59 - alt. 1,378 ft - Bois Sec
  6. 5 : mi 1.9 - alt. 1,368 ft - Cross
  7. S/E : mi 2.78 - alt. 1,188 ft - Car park at Francillon-sur-Roubion Town Hall

Notes

Please note: the route is impassable when the Roubion river is in flood.

We strongly recommend that you take IGN map no. 3138OT with you. Bring sufficient water and food and wear suitable clothing for walking. Hikers must be self-sufficient, but professional guides are available if needed. Emergency numbers: 18 or 112.

Information from the Val de Drôme Tourist Office: +33 (0)4 75 63 10 88 / valleedeladrome-tourisme.com

Worth a visit

FAUNA - The southern barbel.

The Roubion is a natural breeding ground for a variety of fish such as brown trout, minnow, bleak and chub, but it is the southern barbel that attracts the most attention. Listed as rare in the Red Book of Threatened Freshwater Fish Species, compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, this species is a remnant of the fauna that existed before the ice ages. Common in the Upper Roubion and living at the bottom of the river, it is easily distinguishable from trout thanks to its stocky shape and four barbels, and from common barbel by its marbling and lateral line.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
mwerlen
mwerlen

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk. The banks of the Roubion are very pleasant in spring.

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Jean Raffort
Jean Raffort

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant short hike to do with children. Plenty of shade and the proximity of the Roubion river to cool off make this route ideal in summer under the sun.

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Ma.com
Ma.com

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy and very pleasant walk.
The route is very well described and allows you to enjoy a variety of landscapes.
Francillon sur Roubion is a charming village: a wonderful discovery!
And of course, a break in Roubion is almost mandatory in summer to enjoy a little coolness.

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délia
délia

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I followed MMG84 visorandonneur's advice:
I did the hike in the direction of Plateau de Vaire, Bois Sec, Roubion.
The trail is downhill, and in hot weather it's very nice to end the walk with a quick dip in the river.
GPX is a perfect tool for geolocating yourself during the hike.
There are beautiful landscapes to admire.

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parastat
parastat

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
A beautiful, easy and varied hike.
Perhaps requires a little caution with young children on the section near Roubion.

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mmg84
mmg84

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Do this in the opposite direction, especially if it is very hot. To take a dip in the Roubion. The end of the route in the given direction is quite difficult on the arid plateau, especially if it is very hot.

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georgespo
georgespo

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

From the 1 (Chemin de la Tollière), just follow the well-marked yellow signs. I started from Saou, which makes for a 17-18 km hike. You can also do the hike in the other direction (more interesting for picnicking on the banks of the Roubion).

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