Vernoux-En-Vivarais combines historic buildings with outdoor discoveries: castles dating back several centuries, a neo-Gothic church, a circular hike through part of the Ève Valley and a geosite with traces of a prehistoric sea. The specific timings for the hike and cycling route help with planning your day. Access to certain historic sites is subject to special restrictions.

Castles and sacred buildings

The Château de Vaussèche dates back to the 11th century; its main building phases took place in the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. The Renaissance reception hall is on the first floor. Its fireplace is classified as a historic monument. It opens to the public only on exceptional occasions, so regular access is not available.

The Château de la Tourette also has several historic layers: it dates back to the 13th century, while visible remains are from the 14th and 15th centuries. These include a large square keep. The terrace offers a beautiful view of the Dunière gorges. Public openings are exceptional, not the norm.

The Château des Pêchers dates from the 14th century and can only be viewed from the outside. This makes it clearly different from a visit inside. The Église du Sacré-Cœur, meanwhile, is a 19th-century neo-Gothic church. Its features include a fully carved Stations of the Cross and a 56-metre-high bell tower, said to be the tallest in the Ardèche département. The Protestant temple in Vernoux-En-Vivarais is considered one of the largest in France.

Plan a hike and a cycling route

The Circuit de Lodie is an easy 6.3-kilometre circular hike. The ascent and descent are each listed as 149 metres, and the route takes 1 hour and 45 minutes. It passes through part of the Ève Valley; the Plateau de Vernoux can be seen from the trail. Check the route details locally before setting out.

The cycling loop “From the Dolce Via to the Vernoux plateau” leads to Vernoux-En-Vivarais. It is 52.0 kilometres long, moderately difficult and marked in red; the stated duration is 4 hours and 30 minutes. The two timings highlight the different time commitments to allow for when planning your day. For this loop too, it is advisable to check the route details locally before setting off.

Leisure by the water and geology

Lac aux Ramiers is an artificial lake and an appealing leisure area. There is a beach with a shower by the lake. Savage WakePark offers towed water sports.

The Géosite du Bois du Four is a sedimentological geosite featuring sandstone, limestone and fossils of mussels and snails, as well as a few fragments of crinoids. It includes Hettangian limestone formed 203 to 200 million years ago, when the Ardèche was covered by the sea during the Early and Middle Jurassic. Individual, self-guided visits are possible at any time; check local access before travelling.

“L’abeille aventure” is a family-friendly treasure hunt through Vernoux-En-Vivarais featuring various riddles. If this activity fits your plans, check its availability with the tourist office before your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Les Vans, Mars, Larnas, Vaudevant, Asperjoc, St. Andeol-De-Vals, Saint-André-de-Cruzières, Joannas.

Return to the main travel overview: Ardèche.