Discover Quintenas

In Quintenas, local history and trails through the countryside offer distinct options for planning your trip.

Church and historic village

Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens is a fortified Romanesque church in Quintenas. Its apse dates from the 12th century. The nave, façade and bell tower were built in the 14th century as part of the fortifications. The church was partially destroyed in the 16th century; Abbé Bobichon had it restored to its present form through works carried out between 1827 and 1861. It has been classified as a Historic Monument of France since a decree dated 21 March 1910.

Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens can be visited free of charge, independently and without a guide, throughout the year. As visitor information may change, it is best to check before your visit. Guided visits covering the church, old village, fountains, crosses and dry-stone huts are also available on request.

The historic centre includes narrow lanes, vaulted passageways, small squares and former washhouses. The fortified Ravier house stands at the southern entrance to Quintenas. The fortified L’Hotoire farmstead has been preserved in the area around the historic church centre. Local landmarks are presented every September during the European Heritage Days.

Walking trails and rural heritage

Quintenas’s walking trails have names, are marked with small wooden signs and are regularly maintained by volunteers. They can be used on foot, by mountain bike or on horseback. The Circuit du Pont des Amis is 5 kilometres long and has 50 metres of elevation gain. A section was levelled in 2020 to make it suitable for pushchairs and allow families to enjoy walks. As trail conditions may change, it is advisable to check them before setting out.

The Pont des Amis was built and installed in August 2019 by a volunteer group that restores forgotten paths. The Cabane des Fans can also be visited along the route—but only with the owner’s permission, as it is on private property. About ten dry-stone huts in the Quintenas area are part of its rural agricultural architecture. They once served as shelters in the fields, especially in the vineyards, and as storage for work equipment.

Other trails offer different highlights: the Circuit des Presles provides views of the mountain ranges around the Quintenas plateau. The “Les maisons fortes de Quintenas à Ardoix” route passes through the agricultural countryside between the two villages; check the route details before setting off. Another trail from Quintenas leads to the Pont du Moulin-sur-Cance. Marc Seguin had the bridge built in the mid-19th century; it is considered one of the first suspension bridges and has been restored. The municipal description places it amid nature.

Landscape and getting there

Quintenas lies on a gently rolling plateau characterised by pastureland. The Cance valley runs through a steep gorge about 150 metres below the plateau. The views and landscape therefore vary depending on the trail you choose; the routes mentioned do not describe the same trip.

From Annonay, Quintenas is an estimated 10-minute drive via the RD 578. Saint-Vallier station in the Drôme department can be reached from Quintenas by car in about 20 minutes. Both travel times are estimates; check local conditions and plan your onward journey from the station accordingly.

Discover more destinations: Sarras, St. Andéol De Berg, Gluiras, Chalencon, Villevocance, Valgorge, Labastide-sur-Bésorgues, Saint-Mélany.

For the main travel overview: Ardèche.