Charens lies in a valley at an altitude of around 850 metres on the northern slope of Mount Tarsimoure, which reaches 1,550 metres. The elevation shapes the geographical setting of the village, as do the winding gorges through which the access road to Charens leads.
Nature
Charens is part of the Natura 2000 site FR8201684 “Wetlands and rivers of the upper Drôme valley”. The area is home to significant populations of the European beaver and the white-clawed crayfish. It comprises a mosaic of wetlands, mountain streams, gravel banks, floodplain and upland forests, rockfall areas, cliffs and meadows.
Those planning a stay in Charens may wish to rent a holiday apartment for this purpose.
Culture and History
The Charens treasure comprises pendants, sickles and knives from the early Late Bronze Age; they are now on display at the Musée de Die. Tools dating back approximately 5,000 years were also discovered during road construction work in Charens.
Hiking and Mountains
The Le Grand Surnom et la Tête de Carabaou route passes through a pine forest and along the gorges of the Bial de l’Ours. On the descent towards Haut-Charens, the route crosses the rock fissure at the rock barrier of the Tête de Carabaou.
The route reaches Haut-Charens at an altitude of around 1,000 metres and then leads past the hamlet’s washhouse and a walnut grove back towards Charens. The road to the high-altitude village of Haut-Charens offers unobstructed views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
The route leads to the Grand Surnom at an altitude of 1,400 metres; the summit is 150 metres away from there.
More local pages: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, Marsanne, Roche-Saint-Secret-Béconne, Saint-Restitut, Piégros-La-Clastre, Ponet-Et-Saint-Auban, Charols, Valaurie
