Autichamp – Historic Buildings and Views

Autichamp combines historic landmarks with sweeping views across the landscape. In the village center, the Table d’Orientation is located in the square in front of the former church. The panorama stretches from the cliffs of the Vercors to the Marsanne Forest. Autichamp also offers views of the Massif de Saoû and the 3 Becs. Buildings and paths add specific points in time and distinct routes to these perspectives.

Churches, Castle, and Bridge

The Ancien clocher was built in the 13th century as part of the former Saint-Sébastien Church. Saint John the Baptist Church has a different building history: it was built in the 18th century using remains of an earlier church dating from the 14th century. This distinguishes three points in time: the tower in the 13th century, the earlier church in the 14th century, and the construction of Saint John the Baptist Church in the 18th century. Those interested in historic religious buildings can explore clearly distinct building phases here.

The Porte de France and the adjoining massive tower are notable remains of the 13th-century castle. A local artist named the south gate Porte de France. The medieval castle is currently privately owned. The Fontaines et jardins are also privately owned today.

The Pont roman bridge was built during the Renaissance over the La Grenette River. Its name and the period when it was built are therefore two separate points of reference. In 2004, the bridge was fully restored and received the “Les rubans du patrimoine” award. The year and the award mark a more recent chapter in the bridge’s history, alongside the much older church and castle landmarks.

The Ancien clocher is also associated with a tradition that is still maintained today: a village resident rings the Angelus there almost every day. The tower thus represents not only its medieval history but also a custom that lives on in the village.

Views and Paths

The Table d’Orientation offers a named viewpoint stretching from the Vercors to the Marsanne Forest. Views of the Massif de Saoû and the 3 Becs are another part of Autichamp’s landscape. For your trip planning, these complement the historic buildings with a distinct focus: views of prominent landscape features.

The paths described also offer different experiences. The historic Roynac–Autichamp hiking trail descends toward the village of Autichamp. The Courbière route crosses the Grenette stream over a stone bridge and then climbs into the forest. Whether you are more interested in a descent toward the village or in the sequence of a stream crossing followed by a climb into the forest, these descriptions offer two different starting points for planning an excursion.

Discover more destinations: Margès, Saint-Julien-En-Vercors, Molières-Glandaz, Châteaudouble, Anneyron, Hauterives, Châtillon-En-Diois, Saint-Agnan.

For the overview of the wider region: Drôme.