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| You are here > Discover / Sight-seeing / Perched villages, the "hidden France" |
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Perched villages
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What is a perched village? It is a collection of dwellings on a hilltop, which are grouped around a castle. It can also be referred to as a “bourg castral”.
In the XIth and XIIth centuries, medieval fortifications were built on the hillsides. Though fairly modest, these fortifications were large enough to see and to be seen!
For a long time, historians believed that being perched on a hillside was necessary for defending against the Sarrasins.
Actually, local Lords wanted to group together the rural population so as to easily take their wealth and be able to establish some monopolies (mills, ovens…). As a matter of fact, for a long period, dwellings were constructed at the base of ramparts.
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This continued to be the case until the XIXth century, when villages started to spread downwards in the plain. However, just a century later, the old villages came back to life!
In the plain, villages used every hillock, even the smallest, and expanded on the hillside that was sheltered from the North wind.
Each of these medieval villages has a history, an identity and a proper character, linked to the men who loved it and watch over its future.
Here are some examples of these hilltop villages, all have astonishing views!
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 ALLAN |
At the top of the village of Allan, you will find ruins of a medieval village overlooking the Rhône valley and ruins of “Chapelle Barbara” (XIIth century). Panoramic view.
Free guided tours Wednesday mornings in July and August on reservation only. Non-guided visits any time. Telephone: 04.75.90.51.04.
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| CHANTEMERLE LES GRIGNAN |
You’ll be seduced by the village’s authenticity and the beauty of its surroundings. The chapel, “Notre Dame Des Grâces”, dates from the XIVth century. Pre-roman vestiges can be seen from the St Maurice chapel. The village’s fountain is built on an antique relief with the image of a dove.
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| LA LAUPIE |
Perched on a strategic hilltop in the middle of a plain, the XIIIth century feudal castle and its hanging garden have been given a new lease of life since the village was entirely restored. The renovations took care to maintain the village’s traditional character, giving it certain homogeneity.
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| MARSANNE |
Once a donjon and now in ruins, the village has “sunk” over the centuries. From the Montluisant Château, you’ll travel through the XII th century, towards the belfry, through the “rue des Comtes de Poitiers”. Beyond this part of the village, lies the lovingly renovated medieval portion.
Guided tours: Tourist Office du Pays de Marsanne. Tel : 04 75 90 31 59
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