Chalencon: Holiday Apartments and Houses

Chalencon is a medieval town located in the Monts d’Ardèche Regional Nature Park. The natural surroundings offer panoramic views of the Vercors, the Alps, Gerbier de Jonc and Mont Mézenc. Those choosing Chalencon as a destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment.

Nature

The former La carrière de Chalencon quarry now features an outcrop of banded leptynite, a metamorphic rock similar to gneiss. The rock at La carrière de Chalencon is rich in quartz and feldspar.

The Circuit de l’Oppidum is an approximately 40-minute circular route there and back through chestnut groves and hilly terraces. From the summit of the Circuit de l’Oppidum, there are views of the Alps, the Vercors, the Cévennes, Mont Mézenc and Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc.

History

The fortified town of Chalencon developed around the Saint-Pierre church by the beginning of the 13th century at the latest. Chalencon’s first castrum is already mentioned in the 11th century and followed an as-yet-unlocated Châteauvieux. Archaeological work documented the early abandonment of the Château de Chalencon in favour of the lower-lying ecclesiastical fortified town.

The Saint-Pierre church was founded in the 12th century by monks from Saint-Chaffre Abbey in Haute-Loire. It can be visited independently all year round; the tourist office also organises guided tours.

The Porte de Besse, also known as the Porte des Autrichiens, marks the boundary between the lower and upper towns of Chalencon. It is open daily all year round for self-guided visits, and the tourist office also organises guided tours.

Routes

The Chemin des crêtes et des châteaux leads to the area around the remains of the Château de Chalencon. The aim of the Jeu de piste à Chalencon is to collect as many clues as possible while exploring the town centre.

The Les Balcons ardéchois route runs from Chalencon via Belsentes and Saint-Cierge-sous-le-Cheylard to the Dolce Via. It also includes a 44.5-kilometre cycling stage from Boucieu-le-Roi to Chalencon.

Local

At the Castagnade in Chalencon, a procession of the Confrérie de la Châtaigne d’Ardèche takes place. The Castagnade also includes a market featuring local producers and artisans.

The Miellerie de Chanteclair offers honey, royal jelly produced in Chalencon, mountain pollen and propolis.

For the higher-level travel overview: Ardèche.

More destinations

More places under the same destination:

Ailhon, Gravières, Sécheras, Lafarre, Silhac, Chassiers, Bidon, Payzac.