Like every year, the third weekend in September will see the annual European Heritage Days
The date is set for September 17 and 18, with the theme of "sustainable heritage". The European Heritage Days are an opportunity to visit sites that are exceptionally open to the public for the event.
Here's a sneak preview of this year's program in the villages along the Via Ardèche, giving you the chance to visit these exceptional sites by bike, in keeping with the theme of sustainable heritage!
A first stop in Pradons.
Here's a sneak preview of this year's program in the villages along the Via Ardèche, giving you the chance to visit these exceptional sites by bike, in keeping with the theme of sustainable heritage!
On the way back up to Vogüé, you'll pass through Saint Maurice d'Ardèche, where the Romanesque church opens its doors to visitors from 9am to 5pm, free of charge.
Continuing on to Balazuc
Heading back up the "voie verte", you can make a detour to Balazuc, a small medieval village classified as one of France's "most beautiful villages".
Head into the village, where you'll find a special bicycle parking area where you can secure your bike and leave it safely. All that's left to do is stroll through the streets of this unusual village.
To (re)discover the village of Balazuc and its history, you can count on the Muséum de l'Ardèche - Fossiles et Dinosaures. Throughout the weekend, they're offering various packages at 50% off. Information and booking on their website.
Mid-course break: Saint Maurice d'Ardèche
On the way back up to Vogüé, you'll pass through Saint Maurice d'Ardèche, where the Romanesque church opens its doors to visitors from 9am to 5pm, free of charge.
The Lanas detour
Once again, we invite you to move away from the Via Ardèche to Lanas.
Saturday 17th, at 3pm at the Romanesque church, Claire Lacroix offers a free guided tour of Old Lanas. She'll take you on a tour of medieval Lanas, on the banks of the Ardèche, which was fortified in 1428 and has retained all its architectural cachet: narrow streets, vaulted ceilings and doors with remarkable lintels.
Finishing on a high note in Vogüé
Last stop on our "European Heritage Days" itinerary: Vogüé.
This medieval village nestled between the cliffs and the Ardèche river is sure to surprise you. Here's the program for the weekend on the commune's website
- Saturday September 17: The Town Hall and the Cure garden are open to visitors from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 4pm.
- Sunday September 18: The association Sauvons le Petit Patrimoine invites you to visit La Gleyzette chapel. Alice Lacour, photographer and writer, will present a photo exhibition and her books on the theme of Romanesque chapels in Ardèche, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
At the Château de Vogüé https://www.chateaudevogue.net/agenda.php, open daily from 10am to 7pm, the association Vivante Ardèche is organizing guided historical tours throughout the weekend. You can also admire the current exhibition "Voyages imaginaires".
At the tourist office, you'll also find a document produced by the school's children to help you discover Vogué's heritage: dolmens, quarry, chapel, etc.