The vultures of Rémuzat
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Set among the mountain ranges of the Drôme Provençale, the village of Rémuzat is a real treasure trove for nature lovers. It is best known for its magnificent vultures, which have returned to the area in large numbers. These majestic birds, now protected, were threatened with extinction less than ten years ago. A visit to the vultures of Rémuzat is a popular outing, with children too. Nothing beats the impressive sight of these huge birds of prey up close.
Got a pair of binoculars handy? Then you can watch the birds even better.
Around Rémuzat you can see no fewer than four different species of vulture: the griffon vulture (the most common), the cinereous vulture, the Egyptian vulture and the bearded vulture. All vultures are scavengers, but the bearded vulture stands out because 80% of its diet is made up of bones from carcasses! These imposing birds can swallow bones up to 18 cm long. If the bones are bigger, they drop them onto rocks from the air to break them.
The best time to spot the vultures of Rémuzat
Vultures need rising air currents to get around. Weighing between 6 and 14 kilos, flapping flight takes too much energy. In the morning, the vultures wait until there is enough warm air to rise. Towards evening they return to their spots on the cliff face to spend the night.
In bad weather and in the heat of the day, the vultures do not show themselves. They rest on the flanks of the rocks, where they also nest, and soar over their hunting ground, which stretches within a radius of 10 km around Rémuzat.
Despite their fearsome size, the vultures are completely harmless and used to people being around. Sometimes they fly so close overhead that you can hear the air moving under their wings, which is a breathtaking experience.
For the best view of the vultures, head to the Rocher du Caire, a 777-metre rock above Rémuzat. You can get there by car via the village of Saint-May, then follow the signs for "Vautours". The narrow mountain road eventually turns into an unpaved track that leads to a car park.
From the car park it is another 15 to 20 minutes' walk to the edge of the Rocher du Caire. Here you can enjoy not only the spectacle of the vultures but also beautiful views over the surrounding area.