Circuit
N°1 - 40 kms
Around Aubenas
MERCUER
: Situated at an altitude of 380 m.and half
way between Aubenas and Vals-Les-Bains. 13th c
church with its façade officially listed as an
historic monument. From the village, Aubenas' Roman
way - Lazuel quarter - can be reached.
Remarkable view from the hamlet of Farges to
Chalencon over Aubenas and Lalevade’s basins.
LENTILLÈRES :
550 m. Village situated on the Banks of the
Valsaboul and Land rivers. Visit to the Sainte
Philomène chapel. 19th c church.
AILHON : 406 m.
Picturesque village with its public square
surrounded by sandstone houses. Vaulted doors,
narrow alleyways, 12th c romanesque church. The
trunk of an elm tree planted in 1593 under the
orders of Minister Sully is to be seen. Arboretum
located at 500 m. from the village
FONS : 300 m.
Its ancient paths, its alleyways, its 16th c
fountain topped by a cross dating back to 1613.
Arriving from St-Etienne-de-Fontbellon, eastward,
you can drive through scrublands on a limestone
zone. The lithic constructions bear witness to the
importance of cultivating vines and olive trees
during the 18th c and l9th c.
Heading for Ailhon, westward, you will penetrate the
pine forest situated on a sandstone area. It has
slowly overrun the chestnut groves and gardens
dating back to 1613.
SAINT-SERNIN :
186 m. Church with paintings by the Italian painter
Antonio Molinari dating back to the 19th c and
listed as masterpieces. The former railway station
is now converted into a Bar Restaurant. The Mont
Vinobre commands a splendid view of the Ardèche
valley and the basin of Aubenas .
SAINT-ETIENNE DE-FONTBELLON
: 216 m. It is difficult to determine the origin of
the name. It may come from the spring “Fontem
Bellone” Bellus' spring which existed in the
community. The name "St Stephanus Fontis Bellonis"
given to a church dedicated to St Etienne, first
martyr, appears as early as the 14th c. This might
explain the origin of the name
St-Etienne-de-Fontbellon.
