Montbrun-les-Bains, a hilltop village in Drôme Provençale

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North of Mont Ventoux, Montbrun-les-Bains rises in tiers above the Toulourenc valley. Its lanes, fountains and belfry form a village walk, separate from a stay or admission at the thermal spa.

Montbrun-les-bains is a village in the Drôme provençale, perched above the Toulourenc valley, the river that borders the northern slope of Mont Ventoux. The houses with high façades (some of them up to six storeys high), supported by buttresses, form an imposing wall on the steep hillside, giving the village a distinctive appearance. Montbrun-les-bains is on the "official" list of the most beautiful villages in France.

Protected by the Baronnies Mountains, the Plateau d'Albion and the Mont Ventoux, Montbrun-les-bains benefits from a micro-climate and offers its visitors a wide range of "natural" activities: hiking, cycling and mountain biking allow you to discover a region with splendid landscapes and an exceptional terroir. In June, lavender fields and lime trees bloom, and their subtle fragrances perfume the atmosphere. Montbrun-les-bains is part of the Parc naturel régional des Baronnies provençales created in 2015.

The entrance to the old village is through the medieval gate topped by a belfry. The village has a spring that never dries up, it has 14 fountains, a very precious asset, an ostensible sign of prosperity in the Middle Ages until the Industrial Revolution. The narrow cobbled streets lead to the top of the village, crowned by the imposing ruins of a castle, ruined by Catholic troops, dismantled by royal decree in 1560, rebuilt by Charles du Puy-Montbrun and then abandoned after the Revolution, it is now in ruins.

The Church of Notre-Dame, whose bell tower (added in the 19th century) can be seen, dates from the 12th century, and has since been extensively modified. It was used as a Protestant church from 1560 to 1579, following a decision by Charles Dupuy-Montbrun. The interior of the church offers a remarkable decoration, frescos, the oldest of which are from the 17th century and in the choir a beautifully decorated altarpiece (17th/18th century) attributed to Bernas, a famous family of Mazan artisans.

Charles du Puy-Montbrun (1530-1575), the "brave captain", Protestant warlord

This lord of Montbrun left bloody memories in the Dauphiné and Provence regions. He is the descendant of an old noble family, whose members are traditionally men of war in the service of the King of France. Charles fought for the kings of France Henri II, he won a scar at the Battle of Renty, which earned him the nickname "le balafré". He converted to Protestantism in Geneva through his sister, and returned to military service as a lieutenant to the sinister Baron des Adrets in the Dauphiné and in Provence, notably during the massacre committed during the capture of the fortress of Mornas. He joined the Huguenot army of the Prince de Condé during the Third War of Religion, and participated in the Battle of Moncontour (1569) in Poitou, where the Huguenot troops of Admiral de Coligny were defeated. He returned with his weakened troops to his domain in the Dauphiné, and defeated the Baron de Gordes who had been waiting for him at the Rhône crossing.

Back on his land, he rebuilt his castle destroyed by the Catholics, renewed his strength and took the lead in a small army of which he was the feared captain, waging a partisan war. Very popular among Protestants, he has the reputation of being a man of sincere conviction but he is a cruel warlord toward the defeated. He besieged and took the city of Serres in 1574, and tried to take Grenoble, which resisted him. He was taken prisoner by the Catholic troops of the Baron de Gordes near Die. Judged and sentenced quickly, Charles du Puy-Montbrun was beheaded in 1575 in Grenoble.

The thermal baths of Montbrun-les-bains

The springs have played an important role in the history of Montbrun-les-Bains. Modern thermal activity developed through periods of operation, closure and revival. Today, exploring the village, taking a course of treatments and visiting the spa are separate activities with different arrangements.

The abandoned building was bought by Casino, a company that housed holiday camps. The municipal council worked to revive the thermal activity that resumed in 1987. In 1997 the French thermal group Valvital took over the activity and, enjoying growing success, a new building was built just next door in 2006. It treats respiratory tract disorders and rheumatism. Today, the establishment welcomes 2500 people taking the waters each year, a godsend for the municipality, which benefits from the economic spinoffs. The adjacent estate of Château des Gipières is now a holiday residence with a restaurant.

Visit Montbrun-les-bains in photos : slideshow

Planning your visit

The old village includes sloping lanes and steps. For the thermal baths or relaxation facilities, check seasonal opening, booking and age requirements directly with the operator. Confirm festivals and seasonal markets in the local programme.

Accommodation

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Sights and activities :

Tourist office website : www.baronnies-tourisme.com

• The old perched village
• Montbrun Spa: valvital.fr
• Lavender festival in Ferrassières on the 1st Sunday of July
• Natural Wellness Day - 1st Sunday in September
• Votive festival on the second weekend of September
• Cheese market on the 1st Sunday in April
• Weekly market on Saturday mornings in the city centre.
• Farmers' market on Monday evening in Montbrun les Bains (July/August)
• Paragliding, Canyoning, Climbing
• Hiking and mountain biking
• Anary Valley, village of Barret-de-Lioure and Col de Macuègne (D542)
• Haut-Toulourenc Valley towards Aulan (D159)

Coming to Montbrun-les-bains

GPS coordinates N 44°10'30'' - E 5°26'36''

The town of Montbrun-les-Bains is located in the Drôme department, between the departments of Vaucluse and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

Location : altitude 630 meters, 440 inhabitants, 7 miles from Sault, 9 miles from Séderon, 16 miles from Buis-les-Baronnies, 22 miles from Vaison-la-Romaine

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