Aubenas is a gateway to the Parc naturel régional des Monts d’Ardèche. To decide what to focus on during your stay, start with a simple question: would you like to explore architectural and cultural history, or get to know Aubenas more through its landscapes and views? The restored Château d’Aubenas, the Dôme Saint Benoît, Le 18A and a historical discovery walk offer different ways to do so.
Views of the Plateau, Mountains and Valleys
The spur of Aubenas opens up wide views to the north over the Ardèche Plateau. To the south, valleys with vineyards and olive groves stretch out below. From the Belvédère de l’Airette, the view takes in the mountains and the Ardèche valley below. The scenery ranges from the open plateau and agricultural valleys to the meeting of mountains and river landscape. If you would rather make landscape experiences than architectural history the focus of your stay, these different perspectives are a good starting point for choosing what to see.
Château and Heritage
The restored Château d’Aubenas is open to the public as a centre for contemporary art and heritage. It hosts exhibitions and an extensive cultural and artistic programme; the programme may change. The château was built for defensive purposes at the end of the 13th century. Its present-day cultural role and its origins offer two different perspectives on the same place. Historical guided tours and a visitor booklet, available at reception, round out the offer. As visitor services and the programme may change, check the latest visitor information before making plans.
Another notable building is the Dôme Saint Benoît, which is listed as a historic monument. Its dome dates from the 18th century and is designed in the Italian Renaissance style. The Dôme also houses collections of religious art and the marble mausoleum of Marshal and Marshaless d’Ornano. Architecture, religious art and the mausoleum are distinct aspects of the heritage brought together here.
Old Town, Crafts and Traces of Industry
The Parcours découverte d’Aubenas is a historical discovery walk through the old town. It is a good fit if you would like to make exploring the town’s historic character on foot the focus of your visit. Le 18A offers a different cultural emphasis: it is a centre for crafts and creative design, with artists’ studios and a shop open to the public. Artists based there may exhibit their work. Public access and the participating artists may change, so check current visiting options in advance.
Aubenas’ industrial past is also part of its history. Remains of former textile factories on the banks of the Ardèche bear witness to industrial development in the 19th and 20th centuries. Together with the Château and the Dôme, they span a broad sweep of time: from the defensive structure of the late 13th century, through 18th-century architecture, to the traces of the later textile industry.
Summer Market with Local Products
Les Artisanales d’Aubenas is a night-time summer market featuring local craftspeople and producers. It takes place every Wednesday in summer at the foot of the Château d’Aubenas; specific dates vary from year to year. Products on offer include local chestnut products, honey, chestnut cream, nougat, gingerbread, wine and fruit juice. The selection may vary from one market to the next. If the market is important to your stay, check the dates for the relevant year.
Discover more destinations: Laurac-En-Vivarais, Joyeuse, Le Béage, Meyras, Saint-Pierre-Sur-Doux, Villeneuve-De-Berg, Saint-André-En-Vivarais, Saint-Julien-du-Gua.
For the broader travel overview: Ardèche.
