Travel Guide Langogne

Situated in the upper Allier valley, on the borders of the Ardèche and Haute-Loire departments, Langogne has a population of 3,200, but is at the center of a catchment area of 20,000 people spread over the three departments. Langogne's origins date back to the founding of a monastery in 998, home to Benedictine monks. A century later, they built the church we see today. Only five of the six round towers forming the "petit tour de ville" remain from the ancient walls that protected the monastery, some of which are still inhabited. In the square, the walls of the destroyed monastery have been marked on the ground. Around the square, several houses feature interesting architectural details: mullioned windows, dressed stone gates, sculpted heads, etc.Over the centuries, Langogne's main livelihoods have been forestry, livestock breeding and wool weaving. Even today, it retains a commercial vocation, with its traditional livestock market. Since the creation of Lake Naussac, the town has turned to tourism, and is now part of the network of green vacation resorts. It is also a possible stopover on the GR 70 (Stevenson) and GR 700 (the Régordane route, linking Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Gilles-du-Gard). Its many shops, indoor swimming pool and cinema make it a popular holiday destination.