Lens-Lestang: Chapel, Mill and Hiking Trails

Lens-Lestang brings together architectural history, a guided visit to a mill and hiking opportunities. Historical highlights include the Romanesque Chapelle de Châtenay, the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Château du Double and the Moulin de Lens-Lestang. There is also the marked “Le tour des plateaux” trail. If you are looking for a hotel in Lens-Lestang, you can plan your travel dates around whether you want to focus on a visit to the chapel, a guided tour of the mill or a longer hike. The main things to consider when planning are visiting conditions and event dates.

Chapel and church: different periods of construction

The Chapelle de Châtenay dates from the 11th or 12th century. It welcomes visitors during the annual Journées du Patrimoine and by appointment; check the arrangements before your trip. Every year on August 15, a pilgrimage is held at the chapel in honor of Notre Dame de Châtenay. This is a long-standing tradition, although the exact arrangements may vary from year to year.

The Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste was built between 1892 and 1907. Its 48-meter-high bell tower houses three bells, including the “Jean-Baptiste” bourdon bell, which weighs more than 1,500 kilograms. The church and chapel therefore represent two different periods of construction: the chapel from the 11th or 12th century and the considerably later church. The construction dates, tower height and bell weight offer concrete points of interest for visitors interested in architecture and individual building details.

Château du Double and the Moulin de Lens-Lestang

Both the protected status and visiting arrangements are relevant for Château du Double. Since May 30, 1978, parts of the estate have been classified and other parts listed as a Monument historique. It is privately owned, and visits to the estate are possible by appointment. Arrange your visit in advance if you want to include the château in your trip.

The Moulin de Lens-Lestang is several centuries old and already appears on 18th-century Cassini maps. During a one-hour guided tour of the restored mill, you can see the mechanisms used to make wheat flour on four levels. The duration gives the visit a clear time frame, while its focus is on the production process. Check the visiting arrangements before you arrive.

The mill also has a small farmers’ market selling walnuts, pognes and other regional products. It takes place every year in May during the Journées françaises des Moulins and in September during the Journées du Patrimoine. Dates and programs may change, so check the event details if the market is an important reason for choosing your travel dates.

Hiking on the Plateau des Feydaux

The marked “Le tour des plateaux” trail is 16.9 kilometers long and starts and ends in Lens-Lestang. It crosses the Plateau des Feydaux through forests and fields and is available every day throughout the year. The start and finish in Lens-Lestang, along with the trail’s length, provide concrete guidance for planning your day. Allow for the full distance when planning and check the latest trail information before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Gervais-Sur-Roubion, Treschenu-Creyers, Laborel, Sainte-Jalle, Les Pilles, La Charce, Chamaloc, Aulan.

For the broader travel overview: Drôme.