The 07 wonders of Ardèche - 2nd edition

For the second year, the Ardèche Department is highlighting seven remarkable heritage sites as part of the “2 Wonders of Ardèche” event cycle.

With the support of the Lubilhac Abbey Endowment Fund, the Department invites the intersection of culture, sport, and heritage throughout the region. Come discover places, sometimes unexpected, through sporting and cultural events (concerts, theater, initiations, demonstrations, conferences, etc.).

200 years of crossing on the Seguin bridge - At the Château-Museum of Tournon-sur-Rhône
Tuesday 01 April 2025
We invite you to celebrate the bicentennial of the Seguin Bridge through a series of highlights. Starting at 18 p.m., the opening of the exhibition dedicated to the history and collections of the Seguin Footbridge will begin with a presentation of the digital model, accompanied by a film retracing key moments in the history of the footbridge.

Then, a summary of the various highlights of the Tournon cultural season will be presented to you, with the ACJ Belle Route Choir of Tournon-Tain and the Théâtre des Trois Tours of Tournon. Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate 200 years of memory and heritage!
Exact address: Tournon Castle-Museum, 14 Place Auguste Faure, 07300 Tournon-sur-Rhône
Practical information: Free entry without reservation. Parking is recommended at the Quai Farconnet car park.

Not available on this date? The exhibition is open until June 1st, along with numerous tours, workshops, lectures, concerts, and shows. Find dates and events on the town's website https://www.tournon-sur-rhone.fr. The Château-Musée is open from March 12th to November 02nd. Find the full program at http://www.chateaumusee-tournon.com/.

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Sound workshop and storytelling walk - At the Mas Cévenol in Saint-Pierre-Saint-Jean
Saturday 24 May 2025
As part of the Fête de la Nature, participate in a collective creation with the Micro-Folie du Polinno during a Sound Territory workshop: the very famous Pol Inno sets out to discover his territory and invites you to make a short report to tell his adventure. The workshop takes place in three stages: first, listening, handling the equipment and writing the script (from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.); then sound games, a little theory and filming (from 13 p.m. to 15 p.m.); and finally, a time for rough drafting and editing (Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Polinno in Joyeuse). From 16 p.m. to 18 p.m., rediscover the essential role that trees, streams, birds, wind and insects play in the lives of humans. They are part of their history and populate their imagination. The tales of Raphaël Faure, from the Compagnie du Théâtre des Chemins, facilitate the encounter between human and non-human beings, all co-inhabitants! Friendly times will be offered outdoors: picnic from the bag (12 p.m.-13 p.m.), relaxation in nature (15 p.m.-16 p.m.).
Exact address: 1014 Chemin de Terus, 07140 Saint-Pierre-Saint-Jean (GPS coordinates: 44.48759127456301, 4.0919967345024295).

Practical details: Participation is free but reservation is required (limited places) by filling out the online form https://forms.office.com/e/9yayyyvq7i, or by writing to 07merveilles@ardeche.fr. Please note: do not follow the GPS: contact the address above to receive instructions. Park in the “Mas fortifié cévenol” car park and walk along the path for about 500 m. Bring walking shoes. More information at 04.75.66.79.37.

Not available on this date? Discover the Cévennes farmhouse on other dates: events announced on www.facebook.com/p/Terre-dePierre-100077642884387/. Discover the other shows of the Compagnie du Théâtre des Chemins on their website: https://www.theatredeschemins.org/.

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Hike to the concert - At the Château de la Tourette
Saturday June 28 2025
From the town center of Vernoux-en-Vivarais, we will reach the impressive Château de la Tourette, via the GR de Pays Tour du Pays de Vernoux, a 7 km round trip. After a picnic with a view of the castle ruins and the Dunière valley, Cordes en Ballade invites four “young talents” from the summer academy, formed by the famous Debussy Quartet each year. In this exceptional setting, this “New Talents” quartet will offer a chamber music concert.
Exact address: Château de la Tourette, 2230 chemin de La Tourette, 07240 Vernoux-en-Vivarais.

Practical information: Free, but registration is required online: https://forms.office.com/e/Ga8fdb4aNr or at 07merveilles@ardeche.fr. 3,5km hike (approx. 1 hour one way on a relatively flat route). No parking at the château! Park at the post office or at the Vernoux-en-Vivarais secondary school. Bring walking shoes. Group departure from the town hall at the end of the morning. More information at 04.75.66.79.37.

In partnership with Cordes en ballade and the Lubilhac Abbey Endowment Fund.

Not available on this date? Discover the Château de la Tourette during the European Heritage Days. Information and details on visits are available from the Cœur d'Ardèche tourist office and at https://www.ardeche-buissonniere.fr/.

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Concert in progress - At the Veyrenc house
Sunday, July 6 2025

Sheltered from rue Jourdan, come and experience a unique musical moment in the inner courtyard of the Veyrenc house. Labeaume en Musiques invites the Ensemble Fabria (Ardèche) for an exceptional concert, classical, contemporary and exotic composed of an anthology of musical miniatures (Ravel, Piazzola, Guridi, Mattos, Lemennicier, Kodaly) performed in the heart of a showcase of the department's heritage. Like delicate prints, the pieces performed during this concert are all short, chiseled works testifying to subtle balances between tradition and creation, sound painting and poetic narrative, which will travel from Europe of yesterday and today to South America via Japan, for a journey imbued with fragrant sweetness. Performed by a trio composed of Estelle Harbulot on violin, Lise Péchenart on cello and Matthieu Lemennicier on guitar.

17 p.m.: Welcome and free tour of the place,
17:30 p.m. presentation words,
18 p.m.: Concert, followed by an aperitif.
Exact address: 8 rue Jourdan, 07200 Aubenas

Practical details: Free event, reservation required (limited places), by registering here: https://forms.office.com/e/GNcJzH5d4Z, or by writing to 07merveilles@ardeche.fr. More information at 04.75.66.79.37.

In partnership with Labeaume en Musiques and the Lubilhac Abbey Endowment Fund.

Not available on this date? Discover the Veyrenc house on a self-guided tour during the 2025 European Heritage Days. The tour, led by its owner and enhanced by panels, will retrace the history of the place. Also worth discovering on site: the exhibition "An Albenassien at the Dawn of Modern Japan," about the engineer and industrialist Léonce Verny.

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Traditional Music Concert-Ball - At the Clastre Farm
Saturday August 23, 2025

Guided tour of the farm by the Liger association in the afternoon. The Federation of Traditional Music and Dance Workshops of Ardèche invites the Sorgues trio to the Ferme de Clastre. The SORGUES are resurgences, water that wells up, from the deepest depths to the surface in several places. From the same water, several sources, several rivers. “The one we followed is made of songs, we followed its course to Périgord, and we settled there. We lent our voices and our instruments to give body to these melodies from a little-known repertoire, the painstaking work of Abbots Casse and Chaminade at the end of the 19th century. And then of course we drank from other sources…” Noëllie Nioulou: Cello and violin, voice. Basile Brémaud: Violin, voice, feet. Clément Gauthier: Vocals, chabrette, string tambourine. Clément Gauthier will offer a free singing workshop dedicated to the triple-beat bourrée performed in Occitan. Learning by ear is a prerequisite, and beginners are welcome.
Exact address: Le Village, 07510 Sainte-Eulalie.

Practical details: Free concert, reservation required (limited places) by filling out the following form: https://forms.office.com/e/pxFDYCtujC, or by writing to 07merveilles@ardeche.fr. Parking in front of the Sainte-Eulalie town hall.

In partnership with FAMDTA and the Lubilhac Abbey Endowment Fund.

Not available on this date? Discover the Ferme de Clastre during the Violet Fair on Sunday, July 13th, and for the European Heritage Days on September 20th and 21st. For seasonal visiting hours and group reception, visit the LIGER Association website, News section: https://www.liger-ardeche.org/actualites/visites-de-la-ferme-de-clastre/. Calendar of workshops and traditional dance and song concerts at https://famdt-ardeche.fr. More information at 04.75.66.79.37.

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Sports are invited and practiced - At the Château de Rochemaure
Sunday 28 September 2025

The legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games invites us to enjoy unique sporting experiences in exceptional heritage sites. From 11 a.m. to 17 p.m., immerse yourself in the world of sporting activities of the past and present! Attend demonstrations and try your hand at archery. Discover and test your fencing skills with the Academy of Historical European Martial Arts. And enjoy many other activities, such as saber demonstrations and table pétanque. At the same time, the Tourist Office will offer guided tours, allowing you to discover the architecture, history, and role played by Rochemaure Castle over the centuries. An unmissable event combining heritage, sports, and discovery!

Exact address: Rochemaure Castle, Montée du château, 07400 Rochemaure

Practical information: Free entertainment for the whole family. Parking on site or walking up from the village via the hiking trails (Chemin de Madame).

Not available on this date? Discover Rochemaure Castle during the inauguration of a new educational trail on Saturday, April 12th. Medieval activities and a tour of the castle in the afternoon. The castle is occasionally open for guided tours and free access during the spring holidays. In July and August, it is open every day, with guided tours taking place from Tuesday (except evenings) to Friday at 11 a.m. and 18 p.m. Medieval combat activities at the castle on Tuesdays from July 15th to August 07th at 19 p.m. To discover the tours, find out prices and obtain information, visit the Tourist Office website https://www.sud-ardeche-tourisme.com/.

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In the footsteps of the Seguins - At the Domaine de Varagnes
Sunday October 19 2025

The Varagnes estate offers a day full of discoveries about the Seguin heritage, their technical innovations, and the natural wealth that surrounds this place. On the program:
Paid guided tours at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 17 p.m.;
15 p.m.: lecture by Marie-Hélène Reynaud on the Seguin bridges and the Annonay ecosystem in the 19th century, in the Varagnes chapel.
Fun bridge building workshops (10 a.m. to 17 p.m.)
Botanical stroll in the park (from 10 a.m. to 17 p.m.)
Possibility of picnicking in the park
Exact address: 21 chemin de Varagnes, 07100 Annonay.

Practical information: Adult rate: €10; child rate (under 12): €5, reservation required (places limited to 18 people per visit at https://www.ardechegrandair.com/agenda/6915680_visite-du-domaine-de-varagnes/). Free botanical walk and conference, free access to the grounds of the estate. Parking on site.

Not available on this date? The estate is open for guided tours on select dates. Visit the tour calendar and book at https://www.ardechegrandair.com/agenda/6915680_visite-du-domaine-de-varagnes/ and https://seguin-varagnes.eu/.