Discover Charmes-Sur-Rhône

Charmes-Sur-Rhône can be explored through several distinct aspects: the Rhône landscape, the history of the feudal castle and silk industry, and the different activities on offer to visitors. The Sentier du troubadour and Labyleo each provide a specific way to experience the area, but in different ways. The following topics will help you understand Charmes-Sur-Rhône in terms of its landscape, history and activities.

Circular Trail and ViaRhôna

The Sentier du troubadour is an easy 2.2-kilometre circular trail. It starts at Charmes-Sur-Rhône town hall and ends back at the starting point. This makes the route a clearly defined way to plan a walk during your stay: its length and easy terrain give you a concrete point of reference. The ViaRhôna also runs through Charmes-Sur-Rhône. This means that a local circular walk starting and ending at the town hall and the ViaRhôna route through the area are two distinct ways of getting around.

The Rhône and industrial history

Charmes-Sur-Rhône borders the Rhône. The riverbanks near Charmes offer bucolic scenery and give the area its own distinctive landscape. The Bellevue mill overlooks the village and is a striking testament to its industrial heritage. Several former silk mills were built along the Embroye. This means that you will encounter the subject of silk both in the history of industry and in the wider regional context: in many villages in Ardèche and Gard, silkworm farming provided low-income families with an additional source of income. This regional perspective links the history of silk to its importance as a source of livelihood.

The feudal castle

The feudal castle served as a residence for the Crussol d’Uzès family until the end of the 15th century. Later, it was a small garrison and a prison until it was demolished in 1624. This timeline makes the change in its functions tangible: its time as a residence was followed by military use and incarceration. The castle thus offers a different perspective on the area’s history from its industrial past at the Bellevue mill and along the Embroye.

Which activity suits your stay?

When comparing the Sentier du troubadour and Labyleo, the type of activity is the main consideration: the Sentier is an easy circular trail with a set length of 2.2 kilometres; at Labyleo, visitors look for questions in the field, and the game is renewed annually. When planning your stay, you can therefore choose between a clearly defined walk and a puzzle-based activity. Labyleo is a three-hectare plant maze on the hills above Charmes-Sur-Rhône.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Saint-Clément, Ucel, Le Crestet, Mauves, Saint-Fortunat-Sur-Eyrieux, Saint-Cirgues-En-Montagne, Cros-De-Géorand, Chazeaux.

For the main travel overview: Ardèche.