Discover Jaunac: church, Rocher de Brion and Picodon

Jaunac lies in the Eyrieux Valley, in the heart of the Hautes Boutières. Three specific themes can help you plan your trip: the church above the village, Rocher de Brion with its geology and medieval history, and Picodon cheese and insights into farm life. This can help you decide whether architecture, landscape history or regional cheese culture will be the focus of your stay.

The church on the wooded promontory

Jaunac’s church stands in a wood on an isolated promontory above the village. Its bell-gable defines its exterior appearance. Inside, the building comprises a nave and three chapels with stained-glass windows. The chapels and choir are covered with 19th-century wall paintings; there is also a colourful fresco on the walls and in the nave. The church offers a range of architectural and artistic details to explore during your visit.

The church can be visited if you request the key from the town hall. Check this arrangement locally before you arrive so you can plan your visit accordingly.

Rocher de Brion: geology and medieval traces

Rocher de Brion is designated a UNESCO Geosite for its remarkable geological character. The basalt dyke lies at an altitude of about 900 metres. From 950 to 1050, the site was home to a medieval village with a castle above it. Its geological features and settlement history offer two different perspectives on the site.

An interpretive trail explains the site’s history with information panels. The “Petit tour du Rocher de Brion” circular trail leads to the remains of the medieval village and castle, built in the heart of an ancient volcano. Further panels trace the development of settlement and the different uses of the surrounding area from the Middle Ages to the present day. Rocher de Brion also offers views over the Eyrieux and Dorne valleys.

Picodon and insights into farm life

Ferme Boulon is an organic farm producing Picodon, a cheese with protected designation of origin (AOP). Its range includes goat’s and cow’s milk cheeses, as well as processed products made from AOP-certified Ardèche chestnuts. Farm visits are available by prior appointment. Arrange your visit in advance.

Chèvrerie de Bouchet-Ravaux lies at an altitude of 750 metres above Jaunac. During the evening milking, you can watch the herd return and learn about the traditional production of organic Picodon AOP. This visit offers a different way to explore the subject of cheese from the product range at Ferme Boulon: the focus here is on experiencing milking time and the production process.

Trails and practical visit planning

The “Circuit du Picodon No. 4” loop leads from Jaunac to Bouchet-Ravaux, where there is a cheese producer. The “Petit tour du Rocher de Brion”, by contrast, focuses on the medieval remains and settlement history. The two routes therefore differ in subject: one leads to a cheese producer, while the other explores the history of Rocher de Brion.

Chèvrerie de Bouchet-Ravaux sells directly from the farm and at Le Cheylard market on Wednesday mornings. Self-guided visits are possible during opening hours; check the current opening hours before your visit, as they may change. Ferme Boulon requires a prior appointment. These different conditions are useful to bear in mind when planning: a spontaneous visit is not the same as a farm visit arranged in advance, and visiting the church requires requesting the key from the town hall.

Discover more destinations: Ajoux, Rocher, Chomérac, Barnas, Saint-Maurice-D'ardèche, Malbosc, Plats, Saint-Alban-d'Ay.

For the broader travel guide: Ardèche.