Pont-en-Royans
Pont-en-Royans, France
A village at the foot of the Vercors where old houses hang from the rock on balconies above the Bourne river. The best view is from the bridge, and the road into the gorges starts right here.
Pont-en-Royans lies at the western end of the Gorges de la Bourne on the border of the Isère and Drôme départements, on both sides of the Bourne. The "maisons suspendues", the houses clinging to the rock face, date from the 16th century, when lack of space and the growing timber trade in the Vercors forced people to build beside the river. They have been protected as historic monuments since 1944; their façades show shades of ochre, yellow and pink.
From here the road runs through the Bourne gorge towards Villard-de-Lans, with tunnels cut through the rock. Nearby is the Grotte de Choranche, a cave with stalactites that can be visited.
- Nearest town
- Pont-en-Royans, France
- Category
- Roadside oddities
- GPS
- 45.0611, 5.3489
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camping les Bords de LyonneCampsite7 km from Pont-en-Royans · 60 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Camping Côté VercorsCampsite7 km from Pont-en-Royans · 66 pitchesTentsElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping des MyrtillesCampsite12 km from Pont-en-RoyansTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping municipal de Saint-Agnan en VercorsCampsite15 km from Pont-en-RoyansTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Les BuissonnetsCampsite16 km from Pont-en-RoyansTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Aire Camping-Cars privée de Font d'Urle/Chaud ClapierMotorhome stopover18 km from Pont-en-Royans · 14 pitchesCaravansMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalNo dogsFree
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Pont-en-Royans?
Pont-en-Royans is in Pont-en-Royans, France, at GPS 45.0611, 5.3489. It is about 4 km from Choranche.
Can you camp near Pont-en-Royans?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Aire de camping-car Pont-en-Royans, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 54 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Pont-en-Royans?
Places worth a stop nearby: Gorges de la Bourne (6 km), Combe Laval (7 km), Col du Rousset (24 km) and Palais idéal du Facteur Cheval (33 km).
When is the best time to visit Pont-en-Royans?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)