Devesset combines its location on a high plateau with trails through wetlands and a distinctive historical heritage. Lac de Devesset, the Commanderie and the village’s churches give a stay here a range of different focuses. For your planning, a simple comparison can help: would you like to explore nature around the lake, or are you mainly interested in medieval history?
High Plateau, Watershed and Lake
Devesset lies on a plateau at an altitude of 1,100 metres. From here, panoramic views stretch towards the Alps, the Monts du Velay and the Vivarais. The village is also situated on the watershed between the Atlantic and Mediterranean. You can combine this geographical feature with a visit to Lac de Devesset, an artificial reservoir.
The history of the lakeside site goes back further than the lake itself: before the lake was created in 1975, the area was characterised by marshy meadows and peat bogs. An area of 51 hectares is recorded for 1975. An educational trail around Lac de Devesset introduces visitors to the ecology, history and wildlife of this natural site. So on a walk, the focus is not only on the trail but also on how the landscape has changed.
Trails at Lac de Devesset
There are several options for different walking and touring plans. The Petit Tour du Lac is an easy 3.6-kilometre hiking route. It starts in front of the Ferme de Pioullouse and crosses wetlands on boardwalks. Information panels introduce the local flora and fauna. This makes the circular route a practical choice for anyone who wants to combine nature watching with information about the site along the way.
A longer option is the ten-kilometre hike “Vers de nouveaux rivages – N°28”. It leads through woodland and offers views of Lac de Devesset. Comparing the route lengths makes planning easier: the Petit Tour is 3.6 kilometres, while the other route is ten kilometres. The first consideration when choosing is therefore the desired length of the hike; the routes also differ in their described surroundings.
The lakeside leisure centre also offers walking paths and mountain bike trails of varying difficulty. You can therefore consider the options according to the activity and stated level of difficulty, rather than planning all the trails as if they were alike. The centre also has a snack bar with views of the lake. Individual food items may change.
The Commanderie and Churches: Local History
The Commanderie de Devesset has been partially protected as a historic monument since 1980. The surviving medieval features include the base of a tower, parts of the residential building and the enclosure walls. As a rare testament to the history of the Order of St John in the Ardèche, it gives the village a distinctive cultural and historical character. Visitors interested in medieval architecture will find several different structural elements here, rather than just a single surviving building.
When it comes to the churches, it is important to distinguish their dates and structures: the former Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste inside the Commanderie was destroyed in the fire of 1838. The parish church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Devesset is a different building. It was fully restored in 1996, bringing out its masonry of irregular granite rubble stones. Together, the Commanderie and the parish church offer different perspectives on the village’s architectural history.
You can choose the focus of your stay accordingly: the trails at Lac de Devesset combine hiking with wetlands and nature, while the Commanderie and parish church draw attention to history and architecture. The Petit Tour and the ten-kilometre hike also give you two specific route lengths to plan around. This makes it easy to choose what to focus on during your visit to Devesset.
Discover more destinations: Annonay, St-Remeze, Banne, Saint-Cirgues-En-Montagne, Saint-Genest-De-Beauzon, Saint Thome, Rochemaure, Saint-Martin-Sur-Lavezon.
For the broader travel overview: Ardèche.
