CHARACTER VILLAGES
The history and soul of Ardèche!
Perched, hidden, the
Ardèche villages of character have been gilding their stones in the sun for generations. They have a medieval soul, an authentic heart and cultivate a taste for their traditions. They are alive, endearing, sometimes mysterious and are scattered through the valleys from north to south of the territory.
21 emblematic villages are grouped around a quality charter and labeled "Villages of character" to better welcome you and invite you to share their know-how and their dynamism. An architectural wealth that will appeal to the curious.
FOR 2021 "" Visit, scratch, win! "": Pick up a scratch card of villages of character from the tourist offices! VOGÜÉ 15 minutes from the gîte
Amphitheater village on the Ardèche
Set in the limestone of the cliff, the old town, classified among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France", forms an amphitheater on the edge of the gorges. A picturesque site renowned for its exceptional panoramas ... Among the places to visit, the castles of Vogüé, offers a memorable historical dive and is worth a detour. In the old village, the houses tightly packed with medieval arcades on the rue des fleas meet rustic wells and more recent architecture ... The Romanesque chapel proudly displays the stained glass windows of Alfred Manessier. And the beach by the river promises moments of pure relaxation for all ...
ALBA-LA-ROMAINE 15 minutes from the gîte
Witness of 2000 years of history
With more than 2000 years of history, Alba-la-Romaine lives up to its name! Discover the two facets that give this small village of character nestled at the foot of the Coiron massif an incomparable cachet… On one side, the hamlet of La Rocheproudly displays the remains of the white city and the Gallo-Roman theater. On the other, erected on a volcanic cliff, Alba Castle overlooks the roofs of the medieval black village. The basalt and limestone checkerboard facades offer a unique glimpse of local architecture… An ideal setting for combining relaxation walks and cultural discoveries!
BALAZUC 25 minutes from the gîte
Charming village overlooking the Ardèche
Above the fiery Ardèche river, the old village of Balazuc, classified among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France", hangs its bluish stones on the side of the wall! Perched on the steep limestone cliffs, this small village of character of Ardèche turns its roofs towards the South, ready to descend the precipice to plunge into the limpid waters ... Three-lobed windows, pointed arch doors, vaulted passages and bell towers, calades, maze of steep alleys and small squares lined with fig trees: Balazuc offers a real taste of the South!His castle renovated into a charming guest house, its Romanesque church and its square tower of the twelfth century give it that indescribable character that seduces locals and visitors ...
JAUJAC 35 minutes from the gîte
Picturesque village with three medieval castles
Nestled between the youngest volcano in Ardèche and the basalt flows, the star-shaped medieval town of Jaujac is built around a central square lined with majestic plane trees and a rustic medieval quarter: the Chastelas ! The particularity of Jaujac, its three castles, that of Rochemure, which today houses the house of the Regional Natural Park of the Ardèche mountains , the castle of Castrevieille,a typical country house in the South of France, with the allure of a legendary fort and finally that of Bruget which reveals interior charms ... reserved for its owners.
LABEAUME 35 min from the gîte
"Oasis of freshness" in the Ardèche garrigues
Nestled against its limestone cliffs dating back several millennia, Labeaume is a real oasis in a landscape of rugged scrubland. In this unspoiled landscape, man has worked for millennia on arid land and rock to leave traces of an ancestral culture! The hanging gardens can be visited thanks to volunteers… The bluish waters of the river have carved out caves with enigmatic reflections in the gorges. True proof of the past, we can still observe the strata formed by water over the centuries ... Labeaume is also 140 dolmens to discover during walks outside the village.
ROCHEMAURE 30 minutes from the gîte
White and black medieval village of volcanoes
Village of atypical character in Ardèche, Rochemaure amazes by its beauty and its exceptional location ... Perched on a volcanic dyke, its medieval castle gives it the appearance of an ancestral fortress. Surrounded by long ramparts which descend to the valley, the village is distinguished by its colors: black and white, for the limestone and basalt which constitute it. Its districts clinging to the hillsides offer visitors incomparable views of the Rhône valley. In its Notre-Dame des Anges chapel , Rochemaure hides many enigmas, in particular the local mystery of the "magic square" ... An intrigue that spans the ages!
SAINT-MONTAN 40 minutes from the gîte
Impregnable fortress!
In southern Ardèche, on a rocky outcrop, the remains of an imposing fortified castle contemplate the valley while the stone houses pressed against the fortified walls seem to climb the mountain, bathed by two rivers.The village, founded according to legend by Montan, a hermit who lived in the 5th century, has been restored with passion for more than 40 years by the association "Les Amis de St Montan". They simply brought it back to life, stone by stone on the back of a man, the alleys all being stepped.
You can also visit these villages and many others by virtual 360 ° tours by clicking on this link: Link for a 360 ° virtual tour of some villages
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