Discover Aubenas, a Medieval Town Perched at 375 Metres
You can explore Aubenas on foot in a single day. Perched on a rocky hilltop at an altitude of 375 metres, the town boasts a château listed as a historic monument, the Saint-Benoît dome, the Church of Saint-Laurent and one of the biggest markets in the Ardèche, held on Saturday mornings.
We are Valérie and Alain, and we welcome our guests 11 km away, at our campsite in the Ardèche. Here is what we recommend to our visitors to discover Aubenas without missing a thing!
Key Facts
| Landmark | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Rocky hilltop at 375 metres, in the southern Ardèche, around 12,000 inhabitants |
| Main monument | The Château des Montlaur, listed as a historic monument |
| Remarkable building | The Saint-Benoît dome, a former 17th-century Benedictine chapel |
| Market day | Saturday morning, 9am to 12.30pm, in the historic centre |
| Local speciality | Chestnut cream |
| From our campsite | 11 km, about a 15-minute drive |
The Old Town, From the Romanesque Tower to Place de la Grenette
Old Aubenas is compact: all its heritage lies within a few hundred metres. Your visit begins in front of the Town Hall, where the fortress rises with its 12th-century Romanesque tower, mullioned windows and turrets. Six noble families lived here from the 14th century until the Revolution. The first were the Montlaur, who gave the town its nickname, the city of the Montlaur.
Here are the places to see in Aubenas, all within a few minutes’ walk:
- The château is open to visitors and also houses a centre for contemporary art and heritage, with temporary exhibitions.
- On Place de la Grenette, the Saint-Benoît dome shows off its hexagonal drum and its cupola of glazed ochre tiles.
- Beneath this cupola, the marble mausoleum of Marshal d’Ornano recalls the building’s past as a convent, before it became a grain hall after the Revolution.
- The Church of Saint-Laurent extends the walk through streets steeped in history.
- Also listed, the Hôtel Goudard-Ruelle houses the 18A, a centre for arts, crafts and creation.
Good to know: around 90% of the château is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. There are 2 reserved parking spaces nearby and access via a side entrance 50 metres away. One last detail often surprises families who arrive late in the afternoon: the ticket office closes 45 minutes before closing time.
The Saturday Market, Where Aubenas Comes Together
According to the Pays d’Aubenas-Vals tourist office, the Saturday morning market is one of the biggest in the Ardèche. It runs from 9am to 12.30pm in the old town and spills well beyond the area around the Montlaur château. Stalls fill the covered market halls, reach the Champ de Mars and line the neighbouring streets. In summer, more than a hundred traders set up here, from local producers to artisans and spice merchants. It is also the perfect chance to taste chestnut cream, which made the reputation of the town’s confectioners. To discover Aubenas at its liveliest, this weekly event is well worth an early start!
Valérie and Alain’s tip: on Saturdays, we advise our guests to set off early, park on the outskirts and finish on foot. The stalls are huge, and by midday the best producers have often sold out. It is perfect for seasonal fruit and Ardèche charcuterie, about 15 minutes from our reception!
Around Aubenas: Gallic Site, Canyon and Listed Villages
Around Aubenas, the Ardèche countryside quickly takes over. In Lussas, the Jastres oppidum overlooks the valley from a fortified promontory. This Gallic site, one of the oldest monuments of its kind in France, still has a dry-stone rampart reinforced by square, then round towers. The view stretches to the Louyre canyon and the Tour de Mirabel, a viewpoint few guidebooks mention. To the north, Vals-les-Bains offers its spa-town setting and mineral waters. On the heights, the Monts d’Ardèche Regional Nature Park is a wonderful playground for hiking in the great outdoors. Heading south, you can continue to the listed villages of Vogüé and Balazuc, then on to Vallon-Pont-d’Arc and the Ardèche Gorges.
From our experience: our guests often save this visit for a rainy or very hot day. You can stroll the old streets in the shade and visit the museums in the cool. Besides, the town is only 11 km from our pitches, about 15 minutes by road. It is the ideal plan B when nobody fancies the river.
Your Holiday on the Banks of the Ardèche, 15 Minutes from Aubenas
Looking for a peaceful base to explore the region without driving back every evening? Book your pitch or accommodation at our campsite near Aubenas: 4.8 hectares of wooded parkland, direct access to the Ardèche river, a 20 by 10 metre pool, activities for everyone in July and August, and the town just 11 km away. Valérie, Alain and the whole team look forward to welcoming you, so you can discover Aubenas at your own pace!
FAQ: Discovering Aubenas
How Long Does It Take to Visit Aubenas?
Half a day is enough to explore Aubenas on foot. Allow an extra 75 to 90 minutes if you join a guided tour of the château. Add the Saturday morning market and a lunch break, and your day fills up easily!
Is the Château Open All Year Round?
Yes, but opening hours are more limited from October to March. Our advice: as times may vary, check the château’s website or call +33 4 28 70 86 15. Last admission is 45 minutes before closing. You can book guided tours online or at the ticket office.
When Is the Aubenas Market?
The Aubenas market takes place every Saturday morning, from 9am to 12.30pm. The stalls stretch from the area around the Château des Montlaur to the covered market halls, the Champ de Mars and the neighbouring streets. In summer, more than a hundred producers, artisans and spice merchants set up there.
What Is Aubenas’s Culinary Speciality?
Aubenas’s culinary speciality is chestnut cream, which built the reputation of its confectioners. Shops in the old quarter sell it throughout the season, alongside Ardèche charcuterie and cheeses!
What Is There to See Nearby?
Nearby, the Jastres oppidum in Lussas offers a panoramic view over the Louyre canyon and the Tour de Mirabel. Vals-les-Bains lies to the north. To the south, the listed villages of Vogüé and Balazuc lead on to Vallon-Pont-d’Arc and the Ardèche Gorges. On the heights, you will find the Monts d’Ardèche Regional Nature Park.
How Far Is Our Campsite?
Our campsite is 11 km away, about 15 minutes by car. Set on the banks of the Ardèche river, between Vogüé and Balazuc, it makes a handy starting point: head into town in the morning and cool off in the water in the afternoon.