Tarendol-Bellecombe

Pop. : 75 h Elevation : 659 m

Drome Provencale Deparment

The name of Tarendol Bellecombe originates directly from the Middle Ages, when the site belonged to several Lords: Bellecombe, Pennafort, Tarendol.

Today, Tarendol is a hamlet located a kilometre upstream from the village of Bellecombe, which is reached via Col de Soubeyran.

The farm belonging to René Barjavel's grandfather, made famous in René Barjavel's novel as Françoise's farm, was probably located on the little square of today's hamlet.

Surrounded by blue marl hills full of ravines and apricot orchards, facing Mont Ventoux, the hamlet consists of just a few old stone-built barns and houses and a large church, set on a slope overlooking the valley.

Here the air is pure and light, and complete tranquillity reigns. During your visit you may meet some goats, horses, pigs and hens ... and perhaps a few hippies. The village's main centre of activity is the Les Garelles farmhouse inn, which serves as a gîte for horse-riders and cyclists.

Historical sites to visit :

Ruins of the Château of Pennafort
(some distance from the village).
Oratory of Saint-Laurent.
Cemetery where René Barjavel is buried.

Leisure activities :

Horse-riding and hiking.
Climbing (recently equipped limestone cliff
today providing roughly sixty different climbing routes).

Accommodations :

Gîte. Inn with guest-rooms.
Holiday centre.

Neighbouring villages :

St May (18km). St-Auban-sur-l’Ouvèze (15km).