Lablachère: Vineyards, Dolmens and Cultural Heritage

Those looking for a hotel in Lablachère can shape their stay around their own interests: vineyards and trails are one focus, archaeological remains and historic buildings another. The landscape includes vineyards, dolmens and garrigue. There is also a garden with an educational trail, a dry-stone bridge and religious buildings. This gives you a range of themes to consider when planning your trip, from vineyard landscapes to architectural history.

Vineyards and trails

The Sentier des vignerons is an 8-kilometre circular walk. It starts at the cooperative winery and was created by local winegrowers. The Sentier de Bourbouillet is also a circular walk; its route is 18 kilometres long and starts at the war memorial. The lengths and starting points offer concrete points of comparison for planning. The two routes differ in length by ten kilometres. Check local trail conditions before setting off.

The Sentier des vignes passes through vineyards and along dry-stone walls. Along the way, it shares information about typical grape varieties such as Chatus. This trail thus connects the vineyard landscape with information about local viticulture. If you are interested in grape varieties, Chatus is one specific point of reference; the walls and vineyards also shape the route described.

A garden to explore independently

The garden at Terre & Humanisme in Mas de Beaulieu is open daily, including weekends, for free, and can be visited independently. An educational trail leads through various parts of the garden and includes 15 playful, informative panels. The combination of an independent visit and the panels makes the garden a distinct highlight alongside the walking trails and historic sites. Check the access information again before your visit.

Buildings and archaeological remains

The Pont mégalithique is a 16-metre-long dry-stone bridge made of 15 sandstone slabs over the Ruisseau de Masseloup. Its length, building material and number of slabs give the structure a distinctive profile. The Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours reveals another historical layer of the area: built in the 19th century, it replaced two chapels on the same site dating from the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Eglise Saint Julien stands on a hill above Lablachère and offers a beautiful panorama. The dolmens are also among the area's notable archaeological features: 33 have been recorded in Lablachère and are described as more than 3,000 years old.

During Roman times, the Site de Drome la Romaine was home to a Gallo-Roman villa and possibly a vicus. A mausoleum was built there in honour of a Helvian. The person honoured may have been Marcus Iallius Bassus Fabius Valerianus. This tentative identification is part of the story, along with the villa and the possible vicus.

The Chateau de la Saumès presents another aspect of the area's architectural heritage: it is a large rectangular building with a hipped roof and two storeys. Very large mullioned windows, high-quality natural stone masonry, a courtyard, a chapel and a garden are all part of its description. For your trip planning, vineyard trails and landscapes sit alongside archaeological sites, religious buildings and different forms of historic architecture.

Discover more destinations: Largentière, Saint-André-de-Cruzières, Lussas, Sanilhac, Chambonas, Saint-Jean-De-Muzols, Saint-Laurent-Du-Pape, Davézieux

For the regional travel overview: Ardèche.