Camping Le Matin Calme

Green hills dotted with peaceful villages and sunflowers, olive groves and purple lavender: this part of France, the Provençal Drôme, invites you to wander. If you're determined to see it all, the 100-kilometre Tour du Pays de Dieulefit-Bourdeaux walk pretty much does it (lesser mortals can sample some short, but often stunning sections): join the path in Vesc and head over Mt Ruy to Montjoux. Montjoux (10 minutes' drive) is really three hilltop hamlets where potters and other artisans ply their trade by the rain-fed Lez river; your car boot may come back creaking with treasures. But don't contemplate driving through Le Poët-Laval (20 minutes); no car could fit down the tiny alleys of this ancient town. Its medieval castle peers down on lavender fields which on hot days really do give off a purple haze. For something more active than wandering, hire bikes in Dieulefit and head down the dozen local trails. Set sail from Saillans (45 minutes) for kayaking antics down the Drôme river or saddle up for horse trekking through the Saou forest at Mornans (20 minutes). And if you're not content with gazing at the paragliders from the pool, head to Dieulefit and join a jump.