Vineyards, garrigue and millennia-old dolmens give Lablachère a distinctive landscape and historical setting. When planning your trip, you can choose from several activities: circular walks of notably different lengths, an educational trail through a garden, and buildings from several periods. You can plan your stay around whether you prefer walking, are interested in winegrowing or want to explore cultural history.

Trails through vineyards and countryside

The landscape around Lablachère includes vineyards, dolmens and garrigue. The Sentier des vignerons is an 8-kilometre circular walk. It starts at the cooperative winery and was created by local winegrowers. Check the condition of the trail locally before setting off.

The Sentier de Bourbouillet is an 18-kilometre circular walk that starts at the war memorial. By comparison, this route is more than twice as long as the Sentier des vignerons. Use the two distances as a guide when planning your day, allowing more time for the longer walk. Here, too, it is advisable to check the condition of the trail locally before setting off.

The Sentier des vignes offers another perspective on winegrowing. The trail passes through vineyards and along dry-stone walls. Along the way, it shares information about typical grape varieties such as Chatus. This offers a tangible insight into regional winegrowing through the landscape, without conflating this trail with the two circular walks.

Garden, bridge and buildings

The garden of Terre & Humanisme at Mas de Beaulieu is open daily, including weekends, for independent visits at no charge. An educational trail leads through the various garden areas, with 15 playful, informative panels along the way. Check the latest access information before your visit.

The Pont mégalithique is a 16-metre-long dry-stone bridge over the Ruisseau de Masseloup. It consists of 15 sandstone slabs. Its dimensions and construction make the bridge a destination in its own right, alongside the garden and walking trails.

The Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours was built in the 19th century, replacing two chapels from the 17th and 18th centuries on the same site. The Chateau de la Saumès offers a different architectural feature: the large rectangular building has a hipped roof and two storeys. Its described features include very large sash windows and high-quality natural-stone masonry; it also has a courtyard, a chapel and a garden.

Archaeological traces and views

Lablachère has 33 recorded dolmens, believed to be more than 3,000 years old. The Eglise Saint Julien stands on a hill above Lablachère and offers a beautiful panorama.

The Site de Drome la Romaine also points to the Roman past: in Roman times, it was inhabited by a Gallo-Roman villa and possibly a vicus. A mausoleum was built there in honour of a Helvian. This may have been Marcus Iallius Bassus Fabius Valerianus. This expressly provisional identification remains part of the site's recorded history.

When choosing accommodation in Lablachère, your preferred focus can help guide your decision: the trails offer different distances, while the garden, buildings and archaeological sites appeal to other interests. This lets you plan around the themes you want to shape your days.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Saint-Julien-Boutières, Montréal, Joannas, Saint-Romain-De-Lerps, Saint-Julien-le-Roux, Le Béage, Saint-Cirgues-De-Prades, La Rochette

Return to the regional travel guide: Ardèche.