Between the former Notre-Dame-de-la-Brune Priory, the Chapelle Saint-François-de-Sales and several hiking trails, Aleyrac offers points of interest for culture and nature enthusiasts. The area is regarded as a transition zone between different landscapes and climates, and as a place with rich, diverse nature. Historic buildings and trails provide two clearly distinct focal points for planning a trip.

Romanesque history and an 18th-century chapel

The former priory—the Notre-Dame-de-la-Brune Church—is located on Chemin du Prieuré in 26770 Aleyrac. The ruins of the Prieuré d’Aleyrac date from the 12th century and were built in the Provençal Romanesque style. The building is municipally owned and classified as a historic monument.

A spring rises inside the church, and tradition held that its waters could heal headaches and skin conditions. Pilgrims could visit it for relief from these ailments. The spring is therefore associated with a historic healing tradition.

The Chapelle Saint-François-de-Sales dates from the 18th century. In 1835, it was expanded with a portico and a window taken from Notre-Dame. For culture enthusiasts, two distinct building histories are thus at the heart of a visit: the priory’s Romanesque heritage and the later addition to the chapel.

Compare hiking trails by length and character

The Sentier de l’Abbaye d’Aleyrac is 8.4 kilometres long and runs through a natural, protected setting. The “Les forêts d’Aleyrac” circular hike is 10.44 kilometres long, rated moderate and has 300 metres of elevation gain; the stated duration is 3 hours 30 minutes. By distance, the Sentier is the shorter option, while the circular hike also has elevation gain and a time estimate listed.

The circular hike runs mostly through woodland. From the Aleyrac plateau, views stretch over the surrounding ridges as far as Mont Ventoux. The route also offers an approximately 15-minute round trip to the ruins of the Prieuré d’Aleyrac, heading south along the GR429. Details for the marked circular route were updated in August 2026 and may change. Check the information before setting out.

The GR429 passes through Aleyrac and connects Dieulefit with Viviers in the Ardèche; near Viviers, it forms part of the European long-distance hiking trail E4. In Aleyrac, the same GR429 connects the GR9 with the GR42 and follows the E4 route. Another trail, “Le tour des aguerris,” reaches Aleyrac at an altitude of 450 metres. The panorama there is considered beautiful.

Farming and goat’s cheese

Visitors can buy goat’s cheese tommes at the local cheese dairy in Aleyrac. As producers and sales arrangements may change, check in advance whether sales will be available during your visit.

Aleyrac’s agricultural profile includes cattle and goat farming, goat’s cheese production, cereal cultivation, lavender essence production, and the cultivation or harvesting of truffles. Livestock, field crops and a variety of products thus come together to create a diverse rural profile. Along with the spring’s healing tradition and the historic buildings, this gives a trip to Aleyrac more than one possible focus: you can tailor the balance of cultural history, scenery and hiking to your interests.

Discover more destinations: Montguers, Espeluche, Luc-En-Diois, Rochefort-En-Valdaine, Suze-La-Rousse, Granges-Les-Beaumont, Saillans, La Coucourde.

For the overview of the wider area: Drôme.