About 31 minutes' drive from Les Cabritas, Aubenas is the largest town in the Ardèche basin and one of its two sub-prefectures. Its château, standing on a rocky spur at the heart of the old town, has dominated the landscape for nine centuries and today houses the town hall. Around it, a maze of cobbled lanes, covered walkways and Renaissance façades tells the story of a town that was, for centuries, a trading crossroads between the Cévennes and the Rhône valley.
A château shaped by five centuries of noble families
Built from the 13th century by the Montlaur family, the Château d'Aubenas still bears its imposing 26.5-metre keep from that founding period. The owners who followed — Maubec, Modène, Ornano, then Harcourt-Lorraine and Vogüé — gradually turned it into an elegant residence: Italian-style galleries stacked over three levels, glazed-tile roofs and corner turrets added by the Ornano family, a grand ceremonial staircase built by the Vogüé. Bought by the town in 1810 and listed as a historic monument in 1943, part of it can be visited today, from state rooms to terraces with open views over the surrounding hills.
Strolling through the old town
Around the château, Aubenas's old town has kept its medieval layout: narrow lanes, a covered market hall, arcaded houses and ornate façades speak of past prosperity, tied in particular to the silk and chestnut trade. The Place du Château and its surroundings gather shops, cafés and small restaurants, a good starting point for exploring the town on foot before heading down into the newer districts below.
Good to know before your visit
Allow about 31 minutes' drive from Les Cabritas Sud-Ardèche to reach Aubenas. The château can be visited on guided tours at set times (check with the local tourist office), but the old town and the château's exterior can be explored freely at any hour. The Saturday morning market, one of the largest in the Ardèche, is a good way to combine the visit with a lively moment and a few local products to bring back to the gîte.
Practical information from Les Cabritas
- Distance from Saint-Alban-Auriolles: about 31 min by car
- Best time to visit: Saturday morning for the market, year-round for the old town
- Ideal for: history and architecture lovers, urban strolls, local shopping
Want to discover Aubenas, Sub-Prefecture of the Ardèche and Its Château from your Ardèche gîte?
Les Cabritas Sud-Ardèche welcomes you in Saint-Alban-Auriolles, in the heart of Southern Ardèche, for a comfortable stay with a private pool, just steps from the region's most beautiful sites.
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