Desaignes is a village located towards the north of the Ardeche department, in the Doux river valley between Saint-Agreve and Lamastre (west of Valence). The village falls within the Regional Natural Park of the Monts d'Ardeche.
Surrounded by gentle hills covered in vineyards and woodlands the village is officially listed as one of the 'Ardeche Villages of Character', a group of about 17 villages in the Ardeche department of particular historical interest to visitors.
Exploring Desaignes
Desaignes is interesting to explore and has several notable monuments and highlights to discover, although the real pleasure of a visit comes from simply strolling along the historical streets admiring the houses and architectural details around the doors and windows.
One of the first things you will notice when you visit is the remains of the original town ramparts - three of the original entrances to the town still pass through these defensive walls.
Within the medieval old town the highlights include the 14th century Chateau de Desaignes, with some grand fireplaces, the original kitchen, a small chapel and an attractive stone spiral staircase to see.
The castle is now also home to a museum commemorating Ardeche history and way of life, and also contains a large space in the vaults where you can see and sample some of the extensive range of local products - with wine, cheese, dried sausages, goat's cheese (a particular tasty local speciality) this is a gourmet's delight.
You can also see the protestant Temple of Diana and the roman style church in Desaignes - note in particular how the church has incorporated a tower from an earlier fort as its belltower.
Area around Desaignes
After exploring the village of Desaignes devote some time to exploring the surrounding countryside, perhaps by following the short trail called the 'sentier botanique' which introduces the diversity of nature to be found nearby - get the leaflet from the Desaignes Tourist Information on the Place de la Mairie.
You can find more travel ideas in the Ardeche guide and the Rhone-Alpes guide.
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Map of Desaignes and places nearby
Visit near Desaignes with France This Way reviews
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Antraigues-sur-Volane guide
Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez
Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez, now a 'most beautiful village in France' is unusual because it started life as a series of monastery buildings
Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Ardeche
Address: Désaignes, Lamastre, Tournon-sur-Rhône, Rhone-Alpes, 7570, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 44.9956, longitude 4.5175
Plan your visit to Desaignes, Ardeche
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Mont Gerbier de Jonc: site of natural beauty (29 km)
- Cathédrale Saint-Apollinaire (Valence): religious monument (30 km)
- Valence: town of art and history (30 km)
- Parc Jouvet: remarkable garden (30 km)
- Jardin japonais: remarkable garden (32 km)
- Cascade du Ray-Pic: site of natural beauty (32 km)
- Monts d'Ardeche: regional natural parc (36 km)
- Prieuré de Saint Julien (Saint-Julien-Chapteuil): religious monument (37 km)
- Vals-les-Bains: recommended detour (38 km)
- Montelier: ville fleurie 4* (41 km)
- Mirmande: most beautiful village (41 km)
- Abbatiale Sainte-Marie (Cruas): religious monument (42 km)
The French version of this page is at Desaignes (Francais)