La Laupie brings together a rebuilt old village, two chapels and walking routes with different points of focus. The Vieux Village tells the story of restoration after a period of decline; the chapels offer different historical perspectives. For a walking tour, choose between a short loop and a longer, moderately difficult route.

The Vieux Village: restoration and architectural heritage

The Vieux Village de La Laupie fell into ruin and was rebuilt house by house from 1962–1963. The history of the place therefore also includes a clearly defined period of restoration. The short O vieux village loop offers a glimpse of medieval life through the restored architectural heritage. The focus of this walk is thus the architectural heritage and the idea of what village life used to be like, while the rebuilding adds a separate, more recent chapter.

Two chapels, different historical points of reference

The Chapelle Saint-Michel was built in the 12th century on a feudal mound outside the fortified old village. It belonged to a priory dependent on Cruas in the Vivarais. The chapel’s location and affiliation offer two different perspectives: its position outside the fortifications and its historical connection to the priory. Original features have been preserved inside, including the foundations of the choir and the side arcades of the first two bays of the nave. A bay is a section of the nave; this description therefore specifies which parts of the side arcades it refers to.

The Chapelle Saint-Jacques has a different historical timeline. It has been documented in archives since the beginning of the 18th century and is probably somewhat older. The two chapels therefore have different historical points of reference: the 12th century is identified as the construction period for Saint-Michel, while the documented reference for Saint-Jacques goes back to the early 18th century, although it may be older. In 2011, the Chapelle Saint-Jacques was restored with the Fondation du Patrimoine label.

Walking routes through village history and landscape

Sur le chemin de Borne Rousse is a moderately difficult circular route covering 6.68 kilometres, with 280 metres of elevation gain. It takes 2 hours and 10 minutes. The route offers nature and beautiful views, and brings the old boundary between La Laupie, Condillac and Marsanne to life. It thus combines an outdoor walk with a connection to the historic boundary between the three places.

The route is signposted with yellow PR markings. The visitor address for Sur le chemin de Borne Rousse is listed as Parking de chasse, 26740 La Laupie. To choose the right option, compare it with O vieux village: this short loop offers a glimpse of medieval life through the restored architectural heritage; Borne Rousse provides a more concrete timeframe for a longer walk, with its distance, elevation gain and duration. The two routes therefore offer different experiences rather than promising the same kind of visit.

Discover more destinations: La Baume-De-Transit, Upie, Beausemblant, Charols, Manthes, Bourdeaux, Saint-Ferréol-Trente-Pas, Ancône.

Return to the regional travel overview: Drôme.