Discover Châteauneuf-Val-Saint-Donat

Discover Châteauneuf-Val-Saint-Donat through its Romanesque architecture, the history of the old village and two circular routes with distinct themes. Historic traces range from a chapel and a washhouse to a former name associated with charcoal production.

Chapelle Sainte-Madeleine and the history of the old village

The Chapelle Sainte-Madeleine is a freestanding Romanesque building dating to around 1180. It stands among white oaks, about four kilometres southwest of the village. Hermits lived in the chapel until the French Revolution; it was restored between 1975 and 1979. Its history thus brings together a long period of religious use and a precisely dated restoration phase.

By decree of 30 June 1997, the Chapelle Sainte-Madeleine was listed as a Monument historique. The protection also covers the land of parcel C 167. Both its Romanesque origins and its later protected status are therefore significant to understanding the building.

The ruined old village sits on a rise overlooking the plain. Another historical trace can be found in its former name, Châteauneuf-les-Charbonniers: this name was used from 1423 to 1733 and refers to local charcoal production. The wood used for this purpose came from land cleared of trees. The name connects the history of the settlement with a specific former trade.

Two circular routes with different focuses

The Circuit des Bories is an easy, eight-kilometre circular route. The estimated walking time is around three hours, with an ascent and descent of 287 metres each. The approximate duration and elevation gain help you gauge the scope of this hike. The route runs along the southern slope of Montagne de Lure through mineral terrain and leads to the bories, former shepherds’ dwellings of Haute-Provence. Check trail conditions before setting out, as they may change.

The circular route Le vieux village focuses on different historical landmarks. The trail passes below the Chapelle Saint-Antoine and reaches the southern end of the old village. The return route begins at a ruined mill and follows olive groves, fields and garrigue back to Châteauneuf. The two routes therefore differ mainly in the features described: the Circuit des Bories is defined by its bories and mineral surroundings, while Le vieux village takes in the chapel, village and cultural landscape. For both routes, check trail conditions before setting out.

Further traces of the past

The Lavoir du Pleidieu is in the south of the commune, out in the open and far from residential buildings. A 3,000-square-metre Gallo-Roman site stood nearby in antiquity. The washhouse’s remote location and its connection to antiquity give this place a different historical context from the chapels and the old village.

The Église Saint Antoine became the parish church in 1683 and was still used for funeral services in 1876. Its vault later collapsed, and it was replaced by the old Sainte-Madeleine church. These dates provide a timeline for the development of its religious use without treating the individual building phases as identical.

A farm shop as a local highlight

A tourism listing updated on 30 September 2023 states that La Toma de Lura sells organic goat’s cheese and organic kid meat, with the kids raised alongside their mothers, directly from the farm. If you would like to include a visit in your travel plans, check the sales arrangements before travelling. This keeps this stop distinct from the commune’s hiking and heritage attractions.

Discover more destinations: Pierrerue, Reillanne, La Foux, Quinson, La Bréole, Redortiers, Le Vernet, La Palud

Back to the regional travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.