Aulan: Château, Village History and the Toulourenc Gorges

Aulan is a small village at an altitude of 740 m, between the Montagnes de Buc (1,442 m) and the Ubac (1,036 m), on the edge of the Toulourenc Gorges. The Château d’Aulan stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Toulourenc Valley. Aulan is part of the Natura 2000 site “L’Ouvèze et le Toulourenc,” designated FR 9301577. The area was included in the Natura 2000 network as a Site of Community Importance in 2006 and converted into a Special Area of Conservation in 2010. The altitude, gorges and protected-area status offer different perspectives on the natural surroundings of Aulan.

Château, Church and Village History

The Château d’Aulan was built in the 12th century on the site of a Roman oppidum. Since 9 May 1950, some of its façades and roofs have been protected under the French historic monument designation, Monument historique. The site of the Roman oppidum, the medieval construction of the Château and its later partial protection therefore belong to different periods in its history. The rocky outcrop above the Toulourenc Valley also clearly situates the château in the landscape.

Below the Château is the Église Saint-Jacques, which served both the château and the village. It was destroyed in 1599 and restored during the 17th century. Its architectural features include a semicircular Romanesque apse and an arcaded bell tower. Its location and former function connect the church with the château and the village; its history includes destruction and subsequent restoration.

The Aulan heritage trail includes the former school, Ancienne école, as a stop and also features a stop about Arthur de Suarez, Marquis d’Aulan (1833–1915). During his terms as mayor, a reforestation campaign using Austrian black pines was carried out in Aulan. The trail thus takes you to a former school building and to a person associated with local history.

The former bread-making process can also be traced through two places: residents had their grain milled at the mill on the Toulourenc and then baked their bread in the communal bread oven on a hillside. The mill and oven represent two successive steps in this former practice.

Visiting the Château d’Aulan

Guided tours of the private apartments are offered at the Château d’Aulan; a tour lasts about 45 minutes. The route includes numerous narrow staircases and is therefore not accessible to people with reduced mobility. If you need step-free or easier access, confirm accessibility before travelling. When planning your visit, both the approximate tour duration and the accessibility of the route are important.

Visitor information lists parking near the Château d’Aulan, as well as a picnic area and toilets. Check before your visit whether these facilities are still available, as amenities can change.

Trails and Waterways

The La Bohémienne route crosses the bridge over the Toulourenc and then follows a path that crosses the Quinsant stream. These two water crossings provide specific points of reference for the route without implying that it starts or ends in Aulan.

Discover more destinations: Tulette, Saint-Pantaléon-Les-Vignes, Bourg-Lès-Valence, Rochefort-En-Valdaine, Glandage, Épinouze, Eygaliers, Pont-De-Barret.

For the broader travel overview: Drôme.