Culture Ardèche

On the edge of the RD 532 which joins Tournon and Saint-Félicien, the Maison de Pays de l'Ay-au-Doux is more than just a place of sale, an animation antenna of great interest to the visitor of the day and to the inhabitants of the cru. In a building without a stamp, however, it has many treasures and first of all the products of farmers in the region gathered by a charter of quality and transparency: goat and cow cheese, country and saint-joseph wines, poultry, cold meats, honey, jams, syrups, juices, butter… They complement some of the artisanal products: wooden souvenirs, wool, baskets, dried flowers, squash. Next to this - already - rich mission, the Country House serves as a relay to tourist offices and provides information about the country's life that goes far beyond tourism information. In a large 70 square metre room you can discover video documentaries on the country's life.

The Pavillon du Tourisme de Serrières is a tourist office located in the heart of the typical Rhône Valley village of Serrières. Open only during the summer months, it offers visitors advice on what to do in the Annonay and Rhône Valley region. The lodge has a parking lot and sells fishing cards. Staff speak French and English, making it easy to communicate with foreign tourists.

The small village of Saint-Cirgues-en-Montagne houses one of the smallest colleges in France, which strengthens its traditional position as a crossroads of this part of the Ardéchoise Mountain. The fairs were once famous. Like many villages, Saint-Cirgues originates from a castle in ruins, the castle of Des, visible from the The road. Then, as the saying says, «a city is a castle that prospered», the village developed along the river. It must be said that Saint-Cirgues was then located in the extension of the main road at the time: that which comes from Montpezat by the Pal coast. This lost importance during the creation of the road from Mayres in the th century, Saint-Cirgues nearly recovered it via the train: the Roux motor tunnel is the vestige of this project of a Aubenas rail link - Le Puy via Saint-Cirgues. The church of Saint-Cirgues-en-Montagne built around 1050 is a beautiful Romanesque church that you can visit. In particular, it has one of the most magnificent peigne towers of the religious architecture of the ardéchois plateau.

Who said there were no trains in Ardèche? In line with the famous Mastrou, an association revived the Railcar-Lignon tourist Line, resulting from the Réseau railway network which formerly linked the Rhone to the Loire, crossing the Velllave plateau. Closed in 1968, 2 sections were spared, including the Voies line in Saint Center. This tourist line is now at the rhythm of the trains of yesteryear through a superb landscape - the Lignon Gorges - until the altitude 1 040 meters in Saint-Center. A journey to be done in a time when you forget to take its time, breathe clean air and admire the know-how of the old.

At the foot of the Cévennes Ardéchoise, a few kilometres from Vals-les-Bains, Lalevade stretches between its Mediterranean pine forests and the Ardèche River, which runs over three kilometres. Situated in the heart of a picturesque and sunny region, it is the ideal starting point for many walks.

The village restaurant and weekly markets on Tuesday and Friday morning allow visitors to appreciate the delicious local products of Lignon and Salyndre valleys: trout, mushrooms - ceps, chanterelles, morels in season -, wild fruits - blueberries, raspberries, wood strawberries -, chestnuts, goat cheeses - picodons -, charcuterie - godiveaux, stomachs, hams -, foie gras, honey, duck - wild boar, deer. At the foot of the old volcano «La coupe de Jaujac», you will find a source of mineral water called Peschier which used to be used, you can always enjoy its clear and sparkling water. Sale of organic products on the Champ-de-Mars square every day in July-August.

Vernoux-en-Vivarais is a charming town in the heart of the Ardèche. For tourist information, visitors can go to the "Privas Centre Ardèche" Tourist Office - Vernoux-en-Vivarais Information Office. The tourist office offers information on the region's activities and sights, as well as advice on how to organize your stay. Staff members also speak English, which is convenient for foreign tourists. In addition to providing tourist information, the tourist office implements sanitary measures to ensure the safety of visitors, including requiring compliance with barrier gestures.

Saint-Sauveur-de-Montagut is a charming village situated at the foot of the feudal château de Montagut, offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding valleys. History buffs can take a hiking trail to this "eagle's nest" and learn more about its past. The town also offers numerous tourist activities and cultural events throughout the year. These include the "Floréales de l'Ascension", featuring exhibitions, a flower market, concerts and other entertainment. The "Fête de la châtaigne et du Clinton" is another local tradition not to be missed, with a folk group celebrating chestnuts and the grape harvest. Sports and leisure enthusiasts will also find plenty to do in Saint-Sauveur-de-Montagut, with a beach on the Glueyre for swimming in summer, as well as numerous marked hiking and mountain-biking trails. Fishing enthusiasts can take advantage of the region's many trout rivers, while canoeing enthusiasts can contact Club Eyrieux Canoë Kayak for courses on the Eyrieux. Finally, the town boasts sports facilities such as a gymnasium, tennis courts, volleyball courts and pétanque courts.

Désaignes's origin is "Disania", meaning Diane, Roman goddess of hunting. Moreover, a Roman temple bore the name of the goddess. And according to'd'Anglas, who made a thorough study on the subject, this temple would have been dedicated to the Roman Hercules which was distinguished by its strength. Another story of mythology, a hamlet of the name of Hermet might recall a place of worship at the Greek Hermès, God of commerce… What would join the fact that, since prehistoric times, man has passed to Désaignes on a road of merchants and mule. In addition to a Romanesque church, Désaignes also houses some medieval remains: the man's door - th century - and the feudal castle that survived the temple of his neighbour Diane. The rectangular wall wall is almost intact and one can still see fenêtres windows, a tower with a spiral staircase… The organ of the Protestant temple, magnificent and strange building with a dedication to Louis XVIII, weighs three to four tons and represents a volume of about 40 square meters. Its history is linked to that of the temple that took fire in 1962 and was rebuilt in 1965. Many Genevois Genevois and French organists came to Désaignes to make this organ famous for concerts. It should be noted that Désaignes has been engaged in the renovation of its heritage for 25 years and that the village should soon be rewarded by the award of the «Village of Character» label. A dynamic village that has conquered the heart of the Smart and deserves more than just a stop.

The office offers a wide range of activities and events to discover the region, as well as accommodation and restaurants. You can also find information on upcoming events in the region on their online calendar.

A museum featuring mixed collections with a common denominator the painter André Auclair - 1893-1976. It is therefore not surprising to discover in this beautiful mansion the 20 s a whole room devoted to high-level sport with the presentation of sporting objects of the time. But here we also come here to admire the approximately 300 works, which were presented alternately, bequeathed by a painter inspired by the artistic movements of a time when surrealism was born. But what dominates is the inflows influences? Art Deco across all disciplines - and the word is welcome to talk about sport! - by André Auclair: drawing, painting, engraving, ceramics, tapestry… We will discover a small museum of lime devoted to local history and on the last floor a sports museum that evokes through photos and material the great events of our century. In the autumn, a very eagerly awaited lounge presents works by contemporary artists.