Chamaret combines local history with a landscape that can also be explored on footpaths. In the village, the Tour de Chamaret and other medieval traces offer insights into its architectural history. Around the village, there is also a wooded plateau, bories, and paths through nature. The market and historic walking tour provide regular weekly dates to plan around. You can tailor your stay to architecture, the landscape, or the local calendar.

Plateau, Bories, and Walking Paths

The plateau covers about one-third of the municipality of Chamaret. It is wooded and dotted with dry-stone bories built in different periods. Walking paths around Chamaret lead through lush, wild nature. Along the way, bories and dry-stone huts are among the landscape features described; these huts formerly served as shelters for shepherds. Exploring the surrounding area thus brings nature and visible traces of earlier use together. The plateau describes part of the municipal area, while the walking paths draw your attention to the wider surroundings.

Tower and Medieval Traces

The Tour de Chamaret is the last surviving remnant of the original feudal fortress, built between the 12th and 14th centuries. Today, the tower offers a remarkable view of the surrounding landscape. Individual visits without a guide are always possible; visiting arrangements may change seasonally, so check them locally before your visit.

Architectural traces have also been preserved in the village: remnants of the medieval town walls and two former fortified gates. The tower, the last remnant of the former fortress, and the other remains of the fortifications thus offer distinct points of reference for Chamaret’s medieval history.

Chapel, Church, and Washhouses

The Chapelle Saint-Barthélémy was moved from the site of the tower to the former road to Grignan. This road is now called chemin de la chapelle. The chapel’s apse contains paintings from 1850, as well as a painting depicting the martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew. Its relocation and the paintings offer two different ways to explore the chapel.

The Eglise Saint Barthélémy is another historic building: it dates from the 15th century, and its bell tower was added in 1555. Chamaret also has three surviving washhouses dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. The communal washhouse was designed in an elegant classical architectural style. Together, the church, chapel, and washhouses offer a different perspective on local history than the medieval fortifications.

Market and Festival in the Local Calendar

A Provençal market with colorful stalls is held every Friday morning in the village square. If you want to plan a visit, check the local calendar for changes. The Fête des haricots has historical roots: it began with the first bean harvest after the communal marshes were drained and divided in 1793, and it is still celebrated on August 24. The market and festival thus offer different dates to plan a stay around: the market takes place weekly on Friday mornings, while the festival is held on August 24.

Walking Tour or Individual Visit

The free “Découverte du village” activity includes a historic walking tour of Chamaret, held every Wednesday. There are two route options, 3 or 7 kilometers long; the walking time is about two hours. Check the current dates before your trip. The walking tour has a set day of the week and designated routes, while individual, unguided visits to the Tour de Chamaret are also possible. The main difference is whether you prefer to plan a visit on a set date along a designated route or an individual visit to the tower.

Discover more destinations: Montchenu, Vercheny, La Bâtie-Rolland, Ancône, La Baume-Cornillane, Saint-Thomas-En-Royans, Le Poët-en-Percip, Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert.

For the regional travel overview: Drôme.