Devesset: Lake, Highland Plateau and Cultural Heritage

Devesset combines a distinctive high-altitude setting, Lac de Devesset and a remarkable historical heritage. The village lies on a plateau at an altitude of 1,100 metres, with panoramic views extending towards the Alps, the Monts du Velay and the Vivarais. Devesset also lies on the watershed between the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The landscape and cultural history thus provide two distinct focal points for your stay.

Landscape between the watershed and the lake

Lac de Devesset is an artificial reservoir. Before it was created in 1975, the site was characterised by marshy meadows and wetlands. In the year it was created, the lake covered an area of 51 hectares. This sequence of events brings the transformation of the landscape into focus: the former wetland gave way to the reservoir, which is now one of Devesset’s defining features.

Trails and nature at Lac de Devesset

The leisure area at Lac de Devesset offers walking paths and mountain bike trails of varying difficulty. One specific hike is the Petit Tour du Lac: this easy route is 3.6 kilometres long and starts in front of the Ferme de Pioullouse. It crosses wetlands on boardwalks. Information panels along the way introduce the local wildlife and plant life. A nature trail around Lac de Devesset also provides information about the ecology, history and wildlife of this natural site.

To choose a route by distance, you could compare two hikes. The Petit Tour du Lac covers 3.6 kilometres; the “Vers de nouveaux rivages – N°28” hike is 10 kilometres long. This longer route passes through woodland and offers views of Lac de Devesset. This gives you a choice between a short loop classified as easy and a longer route with forest sections and lake views.

The leisure area also has a snack bar with views of the lake. The food on offer may vary. This makes for a convenient stop to complement your time on the trails and in the landscape, without describing the lake solely in terms of its shores or origins.

The Commandery and churches of Devesset

The Commanderie de Devesset is a rare testament to the history of the Order of St John in Ardèche. It has been partially protected as a historic monument since 1980. The complex preserves the bases of medieval towers, parts of the residential building and the enclosure walls. These structures help place the surviving medieval ensemble in context, while the history of the former church within the Commandery also includes a loss: Saint-Jean-Baptiste was destroyed in the fire of 1838.

Devesset is also home to the parish church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste. It was fully restored in 1996, revealing the masonry made of irregular granite rubble stones. Despite sharing the same name, these are two distinct ecclesiastical building histories: the former church within the Commandery is marked by its destruction in 1838, while the parish church is distinguished by its restoration and exposed stonework. Together with the Commandery, the parish church adds to the picture of the village’s historical heritage.

Discover more destinations: Dunière-sur-Eyrieux, La Rochette, Saint-Alban-En-Montagne, Vernoux-En-Vivarais, Uzer, Laviolle, Les Assions, Boffres.

Back to the main travel overview: Ardèche.