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ALBON
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• Albon
Tower.
Albon had a particular importance during the Middle-Age since
its hillock castle was the Seigneury Chef-lieu. The Counts
of Albon lived there for 200 years and created the Dauphiné.
In 1349, Humbert  the
IInd gives the Dauphiné to France. Of square plan,
the tower built on an artificial hill dominates the Rhône
and the Valloire valley since more than 1000 years. Probably
made of wood in the XIth century, it became during the XIIth
century a tower made of rolled shingles and molasse. It's
approximately 10 metres high. Below are the vestiges of the
castle from the middleage. An excavations site was open by
the History and Middle age Archeology University of Lyon in
1994 and continues to enable the discovery of new vestiges.
The tower is registered since 1982 to the inventory of Historical
Monuments.
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• Access by foot or by
car. Free entrance : orientation table dominating the
Valley and historical boards inside the Tower. |
• The Stained
Glass Window of St Martin des Rosiers.
 In
Saint Martin des Rosiers, we find a modern stained glass window
considered the biggest in Europe. Indeed in August 1977, the
vault of the church choir collapsed. Rather than rebuilding
it, one limited the building to the nave cutting it from the
ruins with that superb stained glass window.
• St
Philibert Church.
Built near the end of the IXth century on the site of an older
sanctuary, the plan of the Norman style church of St Philibert
is then simple and consists of a semicircular apse et one nave
with two bays. It is enlarged in 1230 with new bay and a pentagonal
buttressed choir, with many stained glass windows. The monks
of the abbey of Tournus put there the relics of the heart of
St Philibert. Numerous and famous pilgrimages took place till
1562, when the troops of the Baron des Adrets, unable to find
the relics destroy a big part of the church. It is very simply
rebuilt a the beginning of the XVIIth century by the Sibeud
family from Saint Ferriol. We find the coat of arms of the first
son painted on one wall in a lateral chapel, at the south of
the building. Visible from outside.
• Botanical
village
 Appreciated
for their aspect, used for their many different fragrances in
cooking, plants and flowers were also attributed medicinal or
magical virtues.
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• We invite you to discover
or find their symbolic value following the theme tour
through the village. |
• The Aérorétro
Museum
On the Aérodrome of Albon, discover one of the most important
French collections of old planes still operational, dating from
1935 to 1960.
Created in 1974, the museum has around 20 planes.
All these planes are flying thanks to important restoration
work and searching for parts all over the world.
On top of that, those planes are real cinema stars and are regularly
rented for shooting films such as Indiana Jones.
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ANDANCE
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• The
church of Andance
Located in the heart of Andance, il was built at the end of
the XIIth century by Bertrand de Colombier who was abbot of
Cluny of whom remains its own coat of arms on a keystone
The church came under the control of the abbey of Chaise Dieu.
Discover a rich heritage like the porch of the church that dates
of the XIIth century dedicated to St Jean François Régis
• The
bridge on the river Rhône 
This bridge built in 1827 by Marc Seguin is the only suspended
bridge on the Rhône river, of airy architecture, permitting
car traffic between the Drôme department and the Ardèche
department.
The heigh of the bridge has been raised of in 1846 and then
went through several modifications.
It was destroyed during the second world war and has been reconstructed
in 1946.
• The Chapel
of St Bosc
Located at the south oof the village, this chapel, dedicated
to Saint Baral, a 7 years old young Christian, and also to St
Romain mays date to th Vth century.
This chapel protected by a wall is located in the heart of vineyards
In this place there was an a charming statue of the patron saint
which has been robbed.
Today it remains only a cross. Inside the walls of the chapel
we see that some stones remind us that this site belongs to
the antiquity.
The chappel owns several treasures as a statue of the virgin
Marie and a painting of Saint Philomène and several relics
from Rome.
We can only see all theses treasures during religious meetings(for
example the 1st of May) . |
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ANNEYRON
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• Notre
Dame de l'Assomption Church.
The current Church of Anneyron was once part of a priory known
since the XIth century.
Originally, it was a Norman style church. Today all that is
left is the group of the apse, the apsidal chapels, and the
transept, topped by a dome which defines the location of the
old belfry, all dating from around 1180.
 The
masterpiece of the church decoration is made of six capitals
located under the dome. Two of them show Samson killing the
lion, and two Atlantes coming out of leaves.
Frescos dating form the XVIIth century, located on a round-shaped
apse (abside en cul de four), are discovered in 1983. The church
owns a painting showing Saint Paul's conversion.
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• Free visit and possibilities
of guided tour (groups or individuals, please call the
day before) |
• Larnage
Castle
 The
castle of Larnage located at the centre of Anneyron, was built
in 1340 by Jacques Brunier from Larnage, Councellor of the Dauphin
Humbert the IInd. Remodeled during the XVth century, it is used
alternatively as presbytery or convent. We can notice the presence
of two chimneys Rennaissance. During the XVIIIth century, some
modifications are brought. It is then sold as national asset.
The façade and the tower are registered with the inventory
of Historical Monuments. The castle classified Historical Monument
in 1963 was restored in 1988.
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• It is used for exhibitions. |
• St Jean
Museum
Pyrographed paintings, collections of coins, minerals, potteries,
ancient weapons…
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• 18, rue Aristide Briand
26140 ANNEYRON
- Tel : 04 75 31 54 14
• Open everyday from 9h to 12h and from 14h to 19h.
Free entrance.
• For group visits, please let us know a week in
advance. |
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CHAMPAGNE
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• St
Pierre de Champagne church 
Liste as an ancient momument in 1862.
A manuscript mentions its existence near 1026. Because of its
magnificence the St Pierre of champagne church seems to have
some importance. It is probably the most beautiful and the biggest
in the Ardèche.
It belonged to the powerful counts of Albon because the village
of champagne was an enclave of the Dauphiné in the French
kingdom.
This building is considered as a masterpiece and a jewel of
the roman art because of its powerful architecture
I seems to be built or reconstructed at th XIIth century probably
between 1150 and 1160..
Itwas built like a fortress church in a military and religious
aim.
Discover its interior with its new liturgical furniture made
by the artist Goudji.
• The Pier
of the cable ferry
The Champagne port is not mentioned in texts before 1347 but
a transaction in 1255 between the Dolphin Count of Albon and
the prior of champagne implys its existence.
The cable ferry was used because the former village of Champagne
was located on the two banks of the river Rhône and it
was the only way to cross. The 24th of August 1896, a boat hit
the cable ferry and broke it in several pieces.
Nowadays, the only souvenir of the cable ferry is the pier in
stones that you can see on the right bank of the river Rhône.
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EPINOUZE
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• St
Hilaire Chapel in the 'Commanderie de Lachal'
The commandor's residence of Lachal is a private property, made
of shingles, molasse and bricks, West from Epinouze village,
that can be seen from the valley since it dominates the Valloire.
It was founded during the XIIth century by the 'Hospitaliers'(Hospitallers).
The parish church dedicated to Saint Hilaire, looked after by
brothers, and the chapel were merged in one and only in 1500.
 In
1312, Lachal function is officialised as 'Commanderie Hospitalière
de Lachal' by several acts certainly signed by the Dauphin Guigues
the IInd. The aim : to gather funds (money, horses, weapons...)
for Oriental colonies who were fighting to protect Christ tumb
and pilgrims. The main building, converted much later (between
1500 and 1535) by Humbert de Beauvoir, commandor issued from
a powerful family of the Dauphiné, was kept aside for
living in.
Today, one can see the coat of arms of Humbert de Beauvoir in
the Chapel of Saint Hilaire which belongs to Epinouze village
and where exhibitions are organised. In 1980, the site is registered
to the supplementary inventory of historical monuments and sites.
Marble of Carrare Sarcophagus fragments from the IVth century
and christian tombs vestiges from the Vth century were discovered
there.
• Teddy
Bears and Dolls Museum
Located in Lens Lestang this museum shows a collection gathered
for more than 20 years : more than 1000 teddy bears and dolls
dating from 1880 to 1980, with automatons presented in theme
windows.
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• Open daily from
10h to 19h from the 1st of April to the 2nd of November.
- Tel : 04 75 31 84 29
website : mop26.free.fr
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LENS-LESTANG
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• Châtenay
chapel
 Building
from the XIIth century, Norman style, built by a Crusader. A
legend says that "the church was built by a young, handsome
and strong knight who came back wounded from the crusades".
He settled in a miserable house. Having seen too many horrors
during the wars of religion, he decided to dedicate his life
to God. In his chapel, he prays to God that the prayers of the
faithful who come to visit him would be granted. One day, a
lady arrives. It is Ingeburge, repudiated spouse of Philippe
Auguste, King of France. The prayers of the Queen are partially
answered to. She is called back at the side of the King just
like the hermit had said. Full of gratitude, the Queen has the
chapel decorated and gives it the name of Our Lady of Châtenay,
'Notre Dame de Châtenay'.
The chapel is partially destroyed by the Baron des Adrets, and
completely destroyed under the French Revolution. It is built
again from its ruins at the beginning of the XIXth century.
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• Every year, there is
a pilgrimage in this chapel. |
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MANTHES
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•
Manthes Priory
Built at the top of Manthes village, to the South-East of the
church and drowning in part its apse, the Priory dates from
the XIth century (time during which it depends on the Order
of Cluny), even if a big part of the building, mainly made of
shingles, reflects a period close to the Renaissance. In
1568, it escapes destruction and only the nearby church belfry
is burnt. In 1967, it is handed down to the Diocese. In 1983,
the association 'the Priory Friends' for the safeguard and animation
of the site is born and allows the restoration of the roof,
mullion and transom windows and of the door of the Priory registered
with the inventory of Historical Monuments since 1986. The belfry
and the group of the church apse are classified Historical Monuments
in 1932.
Discover as well a spiral staircase leading to the room of the
Prior.
• XIXth
century wash-house, source of the Veuze
 Manthes
wash-house was created in 1885 on the source of the Veuze forming
a lake of 5550 m2 inhabited by fario and rainbow trouts.
The roof is made of four slopes and rests on eight pillars.
This wash-house has the originality of possessing an uneven
number of washing boards, altogether seventeen boards, eight
on one side and nine on the other.
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MORAS EN VALLOIRE
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•
Moras, mediaeval city
 such
as the remnants of ancient ramparts which once protected the
mediaeval village. Likewise, two of the four doors are still
present in the village : the 'Porte La Médiane' and the
'Porte L'Inférieure'. In 996, Rodolphe the IIIrd, king
of Bourgogne/Provence gave half of Moras (castle and lands)
to the count Guigues of Albon who gave it its status of "
mandate ". This administrative power covered a big part
of the Valloire and was exercised on Epinouze, Saint Sorlin,
Manthes, Lens Lestang and Lapeyrouse Mornay, organised as parishes.
From 996 to 1349, Moras lives according to the adventurous pace
of its Lords, the Counts of Albon, who little by little make
up the Dauphiné. In 1330, the building of the ramparts
to protect the inhabitants of the 'mandate' is launched. The
last Dauphin, Humbert the IInd, sells its goods to the King
of France in 1349. Moras still mandate becomes royal ground.
Under the 3rd Republique, Moras sees the territory of its mandate
disintegrating. Thus are successively created the villages of
Epinouze (1878), Saint Sorlin (1880) and Manthes (1884).
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• Guided tour of Moras
by a member of the association " Moras en valeur
".
• Moras church open all day. Orientation table on
the hill of Moras. |
• The Governor's House
Built in 1592 (private property), at the East entrance of the
village, the Maréchal of Ornano, one of the firts military
governors lives there. At the foot of the rampart, in the shade
of the 'Tree of Liberty (1848) the old fountain remains a picturesque
heritage from the past.
• The Town
Hall
 At
the centre of the village of Moras, it was originally the house
of the Count of Lestang, then used as an old horse police station
with its paved main courtyard. To be noticed, a magnificent
stone-banisters staircase Louis the XIVth and a beautiful covered
walk giving on the yard. The lot is registered with the inventory
of Historical Monuments since 1979, when the staircase was restored. |
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PEYRAUD
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• Notre
Dame de la Pitié chapel in Peyraud
 In
the hamlet of Verlieux there is the Notre Dame de la Pitié
chapel that dominates the centre village of Peyraud.
A papal bull mentions its existence in 1206
I twas reconstructed during religion wars in order to be used
as a parish church for several communes.
It is a robust building that seems to be forbidding and built
by the pilgrims without any architect
Inside you can discover marvellous statues of Saint Martin (Patron
saint of the village)and Saint Odéon (bishop of Vienne)
all in wood.
From this place you have a magnificent panorama of the Rhône
valley.
• The bridge that crosses over
the river Rhône
The railway bridge between Peyraud and St Rambert d’Albon
was buitl in 1868.
It was the only bridge in the area which has not been destroyed
during the second world war.
That is why it was used by cars to cross the bridge. |
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ST SORLIN EN VALLOIRE
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• Saint
Saturnin Church
Located on the village square of St sorlin en Valloire, it was
originally a parish depending on the abbaye of Tournus, in Saone
et Loire.
In 875, the monks of Tournus are spreading all over the place.In
1037, they receive a Viennois Saint Ferreol church from as a
legacy. This is the date when the historian from Tournus would
allocate the foundation of the Motte de Galaure village, as
well as many priories and parishes in our area, amongst which
St Sorlin.
 In
1105, the Pope Pascal the IInd, through a privilege granted
to Pierre, Abbey of Tournus, confirms the possessions of this
Abbaye in the Diois, the Tricastin and the Viennois areas where
are named among others the chapel Saint Michel of Albon, the
church of Saint Sorlin with its parish
In 1349, Humbert the IInd, last Dauphin of Viennois, entered
in the Orders after his widowhood, founds the abbaye of Saint
Just de Claix, and gives it, among others, rights on the Mandate
of Moras, on Manthes, and on Saint Sorlin.
In 1542, the belfry of Saint Sorlin is built, on a Norman base.
In 1793 the church is bought as National asset, by Lord Andrevon,
and endures many damages, along with the cemetery nearby.
Today, the façade of the church if made of shingles well
fitted, the corners clamping and the arches are in molasse.
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