The 7 essential things to do in Le Poët-Laval

Discover how to visit Le Poët-Laval, one of the pearls that make the beautiful days of French historical and architectural heritages.

Before visiting Le Poët-Laval, make sure you have your camera to immortalize your stay. With its historic charm and its picturesque beauty, the Poët-Laval is definitely one of the most important most popular villages France. Amateurs of beautiful stones, be warned, you will find your account. Walking through the narrow and paved alleys, then go to an authentic village where every corner of the street tells you its story.

1. The old village

Visiting Poët-Laval is also confronting its history, closely linked to religion. It is the installation of a part of the Order of Hospitallers, during the 12th century, in place of the present Poët-Laval which is at the origin of the village. The stigmats of the past, including several religious conflicts between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, are still visible on some buildings.

Do not hesitate to lose yourself in the village, in search of these stories, you will find your way naturally.

2. The castle of Poët-Laval

At the top of the rocky eminence on which is the present Poët-Laval, is its castle. It is the building that, according to the writings, would be the origin of the village in itself. Indeed, the houses would have come to settle at the foot of the building, thus participating in the expansion of the Poët-Laval.

At the very beginning, it was only a dungeon, but over the centuries, the castle gradually expanded. Today it is possible to visit it, with or without a guide, and it occasionally welcomes artistic exhibitions.

La Commanderie (or Salon des Commandeurs)

At the foot of the village, a second larger, more accessible and more comfortable castle was born in the 16th century. He is called the “Son of Commanders”.

Its function remains hypothetical, but a priori it was used to house the administrators of the surrounding areas, who were themselves under the command of the Commanders.

3. The Dauphinois Protestantism Museum

Religion had a strong influence on the region. At the origin of the village, it is also the cause of destructive conflicts. Two communities of Christianity joined Poët-Laval: Catholics and Protestants. The second became more important than the first and today, the Poët-Laval Museum of Protestantism pays tribute to him.

Discover history as well as some artistic and liberary collections.

4. The Huguenots hiking

After the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, many Protestants had to leave in exile: the Huguenots Dauphinois. The starting point of this immense international hiking route takes place at the Museum of Dauphinois Protestantism of the Poët-Laval.

It is about 1600 kilometers of trails that cross France, the Switzerland and Germany to Bad Karlshafen. A way to reconnect with the past.

5. A bike ride

There are several loops specially designed to visit Le Poët-Laval by bike. These routes will allow you to visit the places freely. By undergrowth along the river Le Jabron, from the town hall in Gougne, or around the Chabotte, you have the choice.

The most complicated and interesting of these loops is the one that makes the tour of the Chabotte. For more than 16 kilometers, discover the surrounding nature, with passages in undergrowth, sometimes narrow sometimes very wide.

6. Yvon Morin Art Center

Founded in 1995 by Yvon Morin, this art centre is located in the heart of the village of Poët-Laval. It integrates perfectly into the heritage of the village, by its architecture that does not denote. The centre extends over 300 square meters and three floors, allowing exhibitions that it organizes very regularly to be highlighted.

Also, through the outdoor theatre and auditorium, this associative place offers its inhabitants and visitors many opportunities to cultivate themselves differently. Especially thanks to the concerts (jazz, classical music) and performances of the theatre companies. Please do not hesitate to check out the program provided during your stay at Poët-Laval.

7. The surroundings of Poët-Laval

Oh, God.

VisitPoët-Laval is already something extraordinary in itself. But we shouldn't miss his surroundings.

Less than 5 kilometers, discover Oh, God. , a pleasant Provencal village from which you can hike, and go to the conquest of its still wild nature.

Pont-de-Barret

North, don't pass by the village Pont-de-Barret , unknown and yet so beautiful. Its architecture is close to that of the Poët-Laval, and the village is crossed by Le Roubion, just like Montélimar. It is a river in which it is possible to swim and which reserves you breathtaking landscapes.

Transparent water, limestone rock, very green environment: this is an excellent way to mark a natural break during your stay.

Montélimar

Otherwise, nougat lovers will be delighted to visit its capital, Montélimar less than 30 kilometers from the Poët-Laval.

A detour is mandatory to see its public garden, castle and old town but also the banks of the Rhone!

The Baronnies Provençales Regional Natural Park

It should be noted that Poët-Laval occupies a small part of the Regional Natural Park of Baronnies Provençales that we invite you to discover. With its lavender fields, its mountains and green valleys, it is a concentrate of Provence where to delight.

Also, it is one of the few places in France where light pollution does not spoil the sky: ideal to observe the stars!

How do I go to Poët-Laval?

• Poët-Laval is between Lyon and Marseilleon the outskirts of the A7 motorway. So to get there, you'll have to follow her, then borrow her. Department D540 from Montélimar or Dieulefit (if you come from the east). Indeed, this department crosses Poët-Laval on its entire width!
• ♪ nearest airports are those of Valencia and Avignon. Smaller than those in Lyon and Marseille, they nevertheless allow to quickly reach the village of Poët-Laval. To get an idea of pricing, go to a flight comparison site as Skyscanner. This one will offer you the best flights at the best prices. To fully enjoy your stay, it will be enough for you rent a car as soon as you arrive at the airport: essential to visit the region independently!
• Last option, there is the bus which will allow you to get closer to the Poët-Laval from Montélimar where a bus line leaves. This line, number 35, connects Montélimar to Dieulefit via Poët-Laval.

Where to stay at Poët-Laval?

You will not encounter any difficulties in staying at the Poët-Laval. Indeed, despite a small size and a low demography (less than 1000 inhabitants), housing is not missing! L’ Hospitaller hotel is the only large establishment, also well known throughout the region.

Otherwise, you still have the option of gîte or of Airbnb , very widespread, in all quarters of the village. That said, the Gougne district is the most central because it brings together the town hall and some restaurants where it is good to regain strength.

So, ready to visit Le Poët-Laval?