From the dolmens of the plain to the ridges of the steep slopes, the landscape shaped by the hand of man accompanies you on all your escapades. From calades to narrow alleys, each step will be transformed into a journey through time.
Understand the story of the Cévennes d'Ardèche, it is better to understand and discover the natural and built heritage and its riches. Many remains left by the hand of man bear witness to this, which everyone strives to perpetuate, save and enhance.
Land of character and contrast
La unique geomorphology of the territory has pushed Man to demonstrate a remarkable adaptabilityThe inhabitants of the territory have never ceased to invent and create in order to live in symbiosis with nature. Faced with a raw nature, Cévennes peasant resisted, has adapted. From a constraint, he has made a wealth.
A landscape shaped by man
Cobbled paths, cobbled streets, terraced landscapes, vaults... illustrate the centuries-old mastery of dry stone constructionThis technique, which is based on the arrangement of stones chosen for their ability to hold or retain the earth without using any other material, demonstrates a symbiosis between man and his environmentIt allowed people to settle on steep terrain, cultivate a variety of resources and shape the landscape in a lasting way.
With their hands over their heads, they had climbed low walls to the top of the hill.
Throughout the Cévennes d'Ardèche, the small built agricultural heritage bears witness to this ingenuity. For generations, The peasants sculpted the panoramas by arranging spaces to accommodate a rich diversity of crops: fruit trees, vines, olive trees or chestnut trees. These stone structures tell the story of a territory where agriculture and know-how blend into the landscape.
- La clède, also called a chestnut dryer. Downstairs, a fire of husks is maintained which must smoke without flame. Upstairs, a spaced floor supports the chestnuts piled 50 cm thick, which will be dry in three to six weeks.
- The bails (or béals) are small irrigation channels intended to collect and transport water from streams or rivers to irrigate crops.
- Le plejadou, which means folder, is a large split stone which was used to bend long wooden rods to hoop barrels.
- The terraces, accols or faïsses in Occitan, designate dry stone walls forming steps in the slopes by retaining the earth to increase the cultivable space, where Man has worked the chestnut, the olive tree or the vine.
- The water mills at the bottom of the valleys are powered by a water wheel which drives a stone mill and allows the production of olive oil or flour.
- The shepherds built low walls, dry stone enclosures, to guard their flocks, and capitals, dry stone houses, for shelter.
- The calades, paths made of dry stones, are built on the ground or on a bed of sand or lime. They are found in most of our villages, or to connect two villages, testifying to the importance of the axes for the economic and social life of the territory.
Some terraces are still today the breeding ground for emblematic crops from the Cévennes d'Ardèche, such as the Chatus, a local grape variety. Among these terraces, some have received a distinction from the Ministry of the Environment : the labeled terraces of Currant.
Small country heritage
At the bend in a path, nestled in the rock or suspended on the slopes, the small heritage sites tell a discreet but essential story. Wash houses, clinkers, stone bridges, calades, dry stone walls, and rural chapels mark the landscape and bear witness to the intimate bond between man and the mountain.
These modest elements, the fruit of know-how passed down from generation to generation, carry the memory of the territory. They recall the gestures of yesteryear, agricultural customs, daily life in the hamlets, travel by mule, the seasons of work and rest.
Often carefully restored by locals, artisans, or passionate associations, they offer a sensitive interpretation of the Cévennes landscape. Here, heritage is not static: it breathes with the earth, the climate, the light, and retains its place in the living identity of the territory.
Taking the time to observe it means reconnecting with a form of attention, a slower, closer, more rooted relationship with time.
Small heritage, living memory of the Cévennes d’Ardèche
Trace the history
Go on beautiful getaways in the villages, through cobbled streets and cobbled paths in the footsteps of an exceptional built heritage. Stroll around in complete autonomy thanks to our pedestrian circuits or participate in a guided tour village. Our guides will passionately tell you the story of our heritage.
Dolmens, unsuspected treasures
56 dolmens are hidden in the limestone landscape of the Cévennes d'Ardèche. They attest to a human presence very old dating from the end of the Neolithic period, up to the Early Bronze Age (-3 to – 300 BC).
5 hiking trails et a belvedere will help you discover the dolmens of southern Ardèche independently.
Guided tours themes allow you to have captivating experiences on the dolmens.
By walking these historic paths, by touching these ancient stones, we connect with a thousand-year-old culture and unique artisanal know-how.
Enter the largest cave replica in the world, the Chauvet Cave 2.
Chauvet Cave 2, unique in the world
It extends over 3 m2 its more real-than-life facsimile, for a restitution of cave paintings old of more than 36 years.
To become an expert on the subject, the site also offers you a visit to the Aurignacian gallery, a fun museum space, as well as animations for all audiences during school holidays and weekends.
In the footsteps of the Templars
The Templar commandery of Jalès is a witness of the epic of the crusades and of theStory military orders, from the Templars to the Knights of Malta. Built in 1, it is one of the oldest commanderies in Europe and one of the very rare Templar buildings where all the original buildings can be found.
Today, this emblematic place welcomes a CNRS antenna (National Center for Scientific Research), focusing on research in archaeology, history and environmental sciences.
Personalized guided tours and discovery game family tours are offered there, to delve into the history of the building. For music lovers, the commandery also hosts the festival every summer Music'à Jalès.
Cultural heritage of the Cévennes d’Ardèche
