Montmiral: History, Pond and Hiking Trails

Montmiral brings together architectural history, a pond landscape and trails through varied terrain. Montmiral Tower is a reminder of medieval architecture. The medieval Chapelle Saint-Martin lies south of the castle hill. The Église Saint-Christophe adds Romanesque architecture and stained-glass windows to the picture. Other natural features shape the landscape around the Etang de Montmiral and in the Forêt de Thivolet, while hiking trails explore the area around Montmiral.

Architectural History and Visiting Information

Montmiral Tower was built in the second half of the 12th century. A decree dated 19 July 1927 listed it as a Monument historique. It is privately owned and is not open to visitors. The Chapelle Saint-Martin is a medieval chapel south of the castle hill.

The Église Saint-Christophe has a Romanesque bell tower of the Vienne type. Its stained-glass windows, marked “1900,” were made by the glass painter L. Balmet. This church is open to visitors every day throughout the year by appointment with the town hall. The visiting information was last updated in January 2022; confirm your appointment in advance by calling the town hall at 04 75 02 72 17.

When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between these visiting arrangements: the tower is not open to visitors, while an appointment with the town hall can be made to visit the Église Saint-Christophe. The church’s architectural features—the bell tower and stained-glass windows—offer a different historical connection from the medieval construction of the tower and chapel.

Pond, Biodiversity and Forest

The continental Type 1 ZNIEFF site “Etang de Montmiral et ruisseau de la Savasse” is located in the commune of Montmiral. The area is used by walkers and anglers and also for educational activities. Its ecological designation therefore goes hand in hand with several described uses.

The Etang de Montmiral is a fishing pond created in 1990. Information boards in the parking area cover local wildlife and plant life. Dragonflies, amphibians and waterbirds can be found at the pond. The year it was created, the information boards and the animal groups mentioned each give the pond a distinct natural-history connection.

The Forêt de Thivolet is a wooded massif where the Savasse rises. Its wet, cool, peat-rich habitats are considered particularly valuable ecologically. In contrast to the pond, described as a man-made fishing pond with information boards and named animal groups, the forest landscape is shaped by woodland, the river’s source and wet habitats.

Hikes Through Varied Landscapes

The De Montmiral à la Joyeuse hike passes through the landscape around Montmiral, from hollows to ridges, with sections through woodland and along the riverbank. It is marked with yellow PR trail signs. The description thus highlights the different types of landscape along this route.

The Tour de Pays de la Drôme des Collines passes through a heavily wooded section and returns to the Drôme near Montmiral. When comparing the two routes, their different focuses are particularly helpful: De Montmiral à la Joyeuse is characterized by its succession of hollows, ridges, woodland and riverbank; the Tour de Pays focuses on the wooded section and the return to the Drôme.

Discover more destinations: Lachau, Les Tourrettes, Charols, Beaumont-En-Diois, Saint-Bonnet-de-Valclérieux, Chaudebonne, Ancône, Granges-Les-Beaumont.

For the broader travel overview: Drôme.