In a van on the Haut-Lignon

Embark on an unforgettable van adventure through the enchanting landscapes of this unspoilt region, passing through the 6 villages of the Haut-Lignon: Tence, le Chambon-sur-Lignon, le Mazet-Saint-Voy, Saint-Jeures, Chenereilles au Lac de Lavalette and le Mas-de-Tence. And don’t forget Lac de Devesset, on the Ardèche border! Marvel at the vast fir forests, the gorges of the Lignon, and the panoramic views of the plateau: Mont Mézenc, the volcanic juices and the Pic du Lizieux. Immerse yourself in history at the Lieu de mémoire du Chambon-sur-Lignon, witness to civil resistance during the Second World War. Take the tourist train for a nostalgic excursion. Take advantage of our guided tours to discover the secrets of this local heritage, combining culture and nature in an unspoilt setting at an altitude of 1000 meters.

A weekend in the Haut-Lignon between Ardèche and Haute-Loire

Day 1
Day 2

You will arrive at Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, a land of welcome and resistance during the Second World War. Self-guided tour of the Lieu de Mémoire and self-guided walking tour of some of the village’s reception areas.
04 71 56 56 65 – www.memoireduchambon.com

Walk from the center to discover “A mi-bois”, an astonishing work of art in douglas fir in the Bois Lambert, 76 steps up to the platform that goes deep into the wood.

Stop off at potter Marie-Laure’s atelier Vivaterre in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, rue des écoles 06 30 70 90 88 (cups, bowls, water pots, vases…) and/or at ceramic artists Arlette and Marc in Les Roches.
04 71 59 26 68 – www.eaclesroches.com

Leave the village (D157 then D185) for a moment of “slow tourism” at l’Arbre vagabond à Cheyne in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, a wine bar, restaurant and bookshop. The gentle Chemin des Proverbes opens up to you. As you wander through the woods and meadows, discover the 12 ancient maxims in patois that are so relevant today. Description of the 1h15 round-trip walk available on site or from the tourist office (€2).
04 71 59 22 00 – www.arbre-vagabond.fr

The Devesset lake in Ardèche is less than 10 min by van from l’Arbre vagabond. Walk around it (45 min) and come back to (re)settle on the banks of the Lignon at La Plage in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon.

You can walk around Lac de Devesset in 45 minutes, an easy circuit to discover the flora and fauna, with a view of the resistance fighters’ farm. The Plateau Vivarais-Lignon was famous for its involvement in the Second World War. Memorial site at Le Chambon-sur-Lignon. 04 71 56 56 65
www.memoireduchambon.com

L’Arbre Vagabond (open from March to December), a bookshop, bar and restaurant, is a 25-minute walk from the lakeside. A unique, friendly place where you can take your time.
arbrevagabond.fr

You can also take the Velay Express tourist train from Raucoules to St Agrève, which takes at least half a day. velayexpress.fr from late April to late October.

A weekend of hiking and relaxation on the Vivarais-Lignon plateau

Day 1
Day 2

You’ve arrived in Tence, a stage on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela! In the heart of the village, discover the La Boîte à soleils bookshop (extensive regional stock, exhibitions upstairs, lively and friendly meetings). Pleasant market on Tuesday mornings! Take a stroll along the narrow streets to discover the village’s well-preserved heritage, along the Lignon river to Bathelane and its lake.
water feature. Discovery booklet on sale at the tourist office (€5).

Several cafés dot the village for a well-deserved break. The Chambouvetpatisserie , set up in the heart of the village in 1931, is a tea room where you can enjoy petits fours, macaroons, viennoiseries and home-made blueberry or raspberry ice creams ….
You’ll find all the shops you need – grocery stores, butchers, bakers, chemists, petrol station, etc. – so you can plan a pleasant picnic before setting off for Le Mas-de-Tence (D18).

8km from Tence, this charming village awaits you for a 3-hour forest hike (12.5 km)! From Mas-de-Tence to Montivert, a short PR 200 hike, with fine views of the volcanoes (Mézenc, Lizieux, sucs Yssingelais).

Information sheet downloadable from www.randohaute-loire.fr or available from the tourist office (PR 200). Start and finish from the parking lot behind the Mas-de-Tence church. At Plantespinat in Mas-de-Tence, you can enjoy a drink at Bachas, a community bakery-bar, and buy bread from Cyril, the farmer-baker. Call ahead on 06 77 24 14 39, open Mondays and Fridays from 2pm to 6.30pm. Just a stone’s throw from Le Mas, a good night’s rest on the banks of Lac de Devesset, Ardèche. Possibility of sleeping at the campsite if sanitary facilities are required.

En route to Tence ( D103), a stage on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela! In the heart of the village, discover the bookshop La Boîte à soleils (extensive regional collection, exhibitions upstairs, lively and friendly encounters).

Picnic by the river La Sérigoule or lunch in one of the village’s many restaurants. Lovely Tuesday morning market!

Departure for Le Mazet-Saint-Voy (D103 and D500), a small Protestant village with its Halle Fermière and the beautiful 11th-century chapel of Saint-Voy. Nice hike to the summit of the Pic du Lizieux from the Chièze parking lot on the PR 639, 1h30 round trip with yellow markers. Magnificent 360° views from the summit of the Pic du Lizieux, with orientation tables. In the distance on a clear day, the Alps, Vercors, Chartreuse, Ventoux and the southern Pre-Alps…

In Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, visit the Lieu de Mémoire en Terre de Justes. A must for history buffs, this site is dedicated to the reception of Jewish refugees during the Second World War. Approx. 1h15.
04 71 56 56 65 – www.memoireduchambon.com

Gourmet break at the station’s tearoom: Cécile Marcon’s artisanal patisserie. Enjoy red fruit tarts, homemade ice creams, sweet and savoury petits fours. 06 63 95 90 89

Another gourmet takeaway: Cyrille’s Douceurs du Lignon, route de Tence, chocolates, marshmallows… 04 71 75 03 85

Head for Mazet-Saint-Voy (D151), a small Protestant village nestled at the foot of Lizieux, an ancient volcano. Visit the verdant Saint-Voy chapel (11th-century apse) and stop off at Clément aux Hostes (D500 towards Tence). La tête dans le Cuir: leatherwork, wallets, purses, belts, bags…
06 01 79 97 86 – www.latetedanslcuir.fr

Take note of the Protestant cemeteries on your way from Le Mazet-Saint-Voy/Tence to La Bonne Mariotte, which dot the countryside, and the farms with roofs of lauze, “the stone that sings”.

Time for lunch! In Tence, numerous restaurants await you in the center of this village with its astonishing heritage.

L ‘Ours maçon is a bucolic spot in the middle of nature, where you can enjoy a green lunch! (Lieu dit le Mazel) and hit a golf ball at the same restaurant’s putting green. Concerts on Friday evenings 04 71 65 49 99

Take a leisurely stroll along the “charreyrons” (characteristic narrow streets) along the Sérigoule and the banks of the Lignon river. Discovery booklet on sale at the tourist office (€5).

Don’t miss the Chapelle des Pénitents (1813) and a visit to the Moulinage des Mazeaux, an emblematic site of the 19th-century textile industry, a fascinating and moving tour of the work of skilled hands. Information from the Tourist Office 04 71 59 71 56.

A “book” stop is recommended at the well-stocked ” Boîte à soleil ” bookshop in the heart of Tence. Cafés, patisseries and tearooms dot the village for a well-deserved break.

Overnight on the shores of Lac de Lavalette in Chenereilles (D103), at a place called Lavalette.

The next day, fresh and ready, we set off for a lovely 5-hour hike on the PR 640 hiking trail. Departure either from Lavalette or, more conveniently, from the Chenereilles church parking lot (café solidaire la Vieille École: 06 63 35 13 10).

A must places to visit

You'll also like

©Produits Du Terroir Haut Lignon|Luc Olivier/MDT Haute-Loire

Local produce

Swimming

Where to enjoy a drink on the terrace?