Cultural heritage

At the end of the Calvary, overlooking Notre-Dame de Prévenchères, the restored chapel has seen its interior walls decorated with frescoes by the famous painter from Antraigues Jean Saussac.

The chapel is located in “Old Mayres”. It faces the fortress and its chapel (St Médard) of the 17th century which belonged to the Montlaur and of which there remains only the ruins and is separated by the national road N102 from Aubenas to Puy en Velay.

Small jewel of 12th century Romanesque art in the Salyndre river valley.

The commune of Prades nests in a sheltered valley, in the heart of the Regional Natural Park. In Prades, coal mines and mineral springs were exploited. Located 350 meters above sea level.

At the foot of the Vivarais’ last dormant volcano. Footpaths open all year to visit the volcano, dragonfly pond and local heritage. The Park Centre welcomes visitors in summer.

Located at the foot of the Château de Ventadour, at the confluence of the three river valleys of the Lignon, the Fontaulière and the Ardèche, Pont de Labeaume invites you to discover nature.

Different historic houses are present in the village with features such as mullioned windows. Not visitable.

The chapel was rebuilt by the priest of Juvinas then enlarged in 1854. A pilgrimage takes place each year on the first Sunday in September

St Pierre de Colombier has developed along the river Bourges, upstream from its confluence with the Fontaulière. In the surroundings, one can count a dozen hamlets.

This clock, built on the site of the old medieval castle, dates from 1906.

The old town of Jaujac, on the hill over the left bank of the Lignon: twisting streets, old restored houses and a ruined tower. The castle was razed in the 16th century.

The current church of Jaujac was built in 1848-1852. It has basket-handle vaults, paintings in the choir, three gilded wooden statues and an organ with 23 instruments installed in 1970. There are many concerts in this church.

The primitive chapel destroyed during an invasion was rebuilt and enlarged from the 12th century (Romanesque style) and became a parish church until 1885 when it was abandoned.

Chirols is a typical village located between the two high valleys of the Ardeche and the Fontaulière composed of several hamlets along the Sainte-Marguerite mountain. You can access the village directly from the dam of Pont de Veyrières (next to the Écomusée du moulinage)

The village has different places that have marked its history. Whether commercial, living or emblematic, they are still nowadays convivial meeting places …

“Faïsses” or terraces are vestiges of farming in bygone years. The word “Terrace” used to mean mud or cob walls. Not visitable.

This 18th century chapel is dedicated to Saint Bénézet, Burzétin shepherd who became famous for having built the Pont d’Avignon.

La Souche is a typical village of the high Cevennes valley at the foot of the Tanargue massif. It is located upon the hill at 575m and its highest point is 1498 m.

The old bridge of the Travers or bridge of Malbos spans the river of Ardeche in the hamlet of the same name.

On the river Lignon which has its source on the Tanargue, at the hamlet of Réjus, stand two bridges to connect the municipalities of Pont-De-Labeaume and Meyras.

Property of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary located rue Haute. Currently there are the convent and the private school.

Surrounded by young volcanoes in the Cévennes, Meyras pays tribute to age-old crafts on its fresco trail…At every twist and turn you’ll see locals picking chestnuts, Saint-Blaise fair etc.

The current church dates from the 19th century and is a collective work by everyone in the village.

Built in 1691 by Capuchin missionaries. Very impressive processions walked the route marked out by the 29 stations. This tradition was abandoned around 1920.

The town of Mayres is located in Haute Cévenne ardéchoise and is part of the township of Thueyts. The village is crossed by the RN102 which connects the Rhone Valley to Auvergne, one of the busiest roads in Ardèche.

Church founded in the middle of the 14th century in the municipality of La Souche, in the Ardèche canton of Thueyts. It was entirely rebuilt at the end of the 19th century.

The oldest part dates from the 11th century. In the 16th century, it had 5 chapels. The Romanesque bell-tower was in fact only built in the 17th century. The solid wood statue of a black virgin can currently be seen in Pont-de-Labeaume Church.

Old house of the monks of St Chaffre. Currently private property rue de la Fontaine, formerly called rue du Vallat.
Inside is a beautiful fireplace basket handle.

Come lose yourself in the cobbled streets of the Middle Ages and discover the old Burzet: the remains of the feudal castle, the houses keeping the imprint of the medieval era and the old stalls of craftsmen.

Discover the remains of the feudal castle of Burzet and their history …

The statue of the Virgin represents Our Lady of All Graces and was erected in 1874 on the remains of the dungeon of the 12th-13th century. In the past, there was a procession every August 15 to join her on the heights of Burzet.

The village of Barnas is located along the national road 102 (25 km west from Aubenas) in the high valley of Ardeche. Rich by its natural wonders its built heritage is a must-see : its Bridge “Pont du Bouix” or even the Tower of Chapdenac (ruin of a medieval watchtower) will make all history lovers happy

Private property: Mr Labrot, located rue Gaschet. Near this house was one of Thueyts’ gates (at 1640). On the facade: two heads carved in relief (a man and a woman).

The small church became a parish in 1869. The present church was built in 1871. It was entirely restored by Father Régis Moulin. In renovation, closed.

Property of the town of Thueyts located place Pouget and rue Gaschet. In 1640 (at the compois): residence of Sieur François Pichot de Lespinasse, Thueyts baïle. Renaissance architecture of the 15th century. Not visitable.

The church dates from the 19th century. Its main door is remarkable. It was carved by an inhabitant of the village, Mr. DELUBAC. He also built a stations of the cross and the Christ over the altar.

First a Romanesque church was built in the middle of the 10th century following the donation of a certain Géraud to the abbey of St Chaffre. Several side chapels (tombs of the lords). The cemetery is around the church.

Private property. Central staircase turret in relief with motifs of rouelles in the shape of flowers of the 16th century. Above the door: initials MP. Date 157? : the coat of arms has been erased. In 1640: residence of Master Michel Pichot of Lespinasse said “Pouget”

12th century bell tower, gargoyles, Gothic vaugnerite stone porch. Ventadour family emblems on the archivolts. Part of the Casadéen network.

In the land of young volcanoes in the heart of the Monts d’Ardèche regional natural park, Fabras is a small village with Cévenol charm.
Listen to the whisper of the river, hold by the basaltic flows, it is a small corner where it is good to live. Fabras: an island?

The chapel, a sacred site, was built on top of a volcanic peak. It used to have a small bell tower (since transported to the church). Inside, wooden statues (St Roch, Virgin with a Child).

The town of Lalevade of Ardeche is located along the right Ardeche riverside. Between Pont de Labeaume and the river Fontaulière and the river Salyndres. It is the smallest town in Ardeche with 227 hectares.

The Tower of Chadenac was formerly a watch tower and an advanced outpost of the Lords of the Ardèche valley. It dominates Sigadou. Private tower which cannot be visited.

Montpezat-sous-Bauzon located at the confluence of Fontaulière and its affluent la Pourseille, at the geographic and climatic limit between the Bas Vivarais and the Ardèche Mountain, will seduce lovers of authenticity, nature and preserved landscapes.

On a hill overlooking the village, there is a statue of the Virgin, erected in 1946 in the presence of Bishop Couderc, Bishop of Viviers.

The 15th century church of Saint André is classified as a Historic Monument. Made of granite stone of the country, it constitutes a remarkable and surprising ensemble by its architecture: Romanesque style outside and gothic characteristics inside.

Property of the municipality of Thueyts located rue Mercière. Mullion window. House of Dominicans.

Have a stroll and gaze at 12 everyday scenes from the 20th century painted by artist Alain Royer in a village with personality (11 in the village and one at Neyrac Springs).

Burzet’s calvary is part of the unique 32 stations in Europe from the 18th century. Each Holy Friday, more than 60 “burzetins” (people from burzet) offer a disguised reconstitution of the Christ Passion along the cross walk.

Péreyres, located 850 m above sea level, is a charming little village that has kept the picturesque character of its early days. To see: the church (1846), Cascades du Ray-Pic (site classified in 1931).

Gallo-Roman milestone (MC) on the Helvien way (the Antonin Piles way), dating back to 306-307. A panel translates the inscription.

The Neo-Gothic church (nineteenth century) built thanks to the voluntary donations only of the inhabitants.

Thueyts stands on a basalt platform above the Ardèche River with amazing views of listed sites such as the Echelle du Roi, Gueule d’Enfer and Chaussée des Géants.

First residence of the monks (clastre means closed place), it became the place of residence of the church’s prior. It was converted into a hospital – hospice around 1895, then used as a farm building with the church as an outbuilding. Not visitable.

With its medieval style towers, it houses the very old pedestrian which is in the chapel on the right, dedicated to the blessed Marie Rivier, coming from a medieval chapel destroyed in 1888 to arrange the current place of the Republic.

Surrounded by the Cevennes greenhouses, nestled between the youngest volcano of Ardèche and long basaltic flows, Jaujac enchants the visitor with the beauty of its sites.

The Romanesque Bridge crosses a small affluent of the river Lignon, where a walking path leads off to the Echelette Bridge, in the direction of Neyrac spa.

Located in the heart of the National Park of “Monts d’Ardèche”, the village of Burzet (530m) is surrounded by natural sources, waterfalls and young volcanos.
It is also known as a natural station labellised “Station verte” for its quality of living.

From the village square, panoramic view of the Col de l’Escrinet and the Coiron. The landscape also offers a beautiful view over the Ste Marguerite mountain with, in the foreground, the village of Fabras; It offers also a beautiful view on the Tanargue’s mountain range.

This medieval bridge spans the Lignon. Running down from the Tanargue highlands, the Lignon flows into the Ardèche upstream from Neyrac Les Bains. But before that, it has deeply carved its way through a splendid lava flow.

The current church of Jaujac was built in 1848-1852. It has basket-handle vaults, paintings in the choir, three gilded wooden statues and an organ with 23 instruments installed in 1970. There are many concerts in this church.

At the foot of the Tanargue, this beautiful landscaped garden of 250 m² welcomes you for a moment of calm and serenity in the countryside. Sculptures, bonsai or other zen spaces will make you want to stay there forever …

“Doing things with a playing child seriousness” (say an artist).
Méli-Mélo is an association that aim is to gather those who wish have fun by learning, beeing and doing.

Aim : inventory, protection and promotion of touristic, historical, cultural wealth. To develop an attractive corporate image.

Created in may 2016 the association is situated in Montpezat sous Bauzon. The aim is to promote the knowledges and savoir-faire in culture, art and environment areas.

In 1958, a volunteers team decided to hel Notre Dame de Nieigles from its ruins. With a restauration program with France buildings, april the 25 of 1975, it obtains the Historic Monument classification. Since 1999.