Marsanne is a commune in the Drôme Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, 15 km north of Montelimar.
Ranging from 140 to 586 m above sea level, its territory of 34 square kilometers belongs to the so-called the Drôme region in the southern third of the department, the landscape and the climate it already akin to those of Provence.
Since ancient times, the village site is busy and it is fortified from the fifth century. Step on the road of the Crusades, Marsanne is a medieval fortress that monitors and dominate the plain, and this site is the subject of envy. The locality successively owned by various powerful families and even some time in the papacy.
After the religious wars disorders, Marsanne recovers its prosperity and more of the "old town", extends towards the plain where a renowned vineyard grows. Here was born the reputation of the white variety of Marsanne even if the vines have now reduced in size.
The charm of the village perched on a mountainside where one has a panoramic view that stretches from the borders of the Rhone valley to the foothills of the south now attracts many tourists. With 1350 inhabitants, this is a nice step in any season.
Constituting itself a postcard landscape, the old village is a whole protected as historical monuments. Its streets where settled artisans and gallery owner, its old houses, its heritage features and the stunning views of the valley and surrounding villages prove unavoidable (a viewpoint is located).
Note that in summer, guided tours are offered and flyers for who wants to visit the village of autonomous manner are available. Information +33 4 75 90 31 59.
In detail, in this fortified town, do not miss the Saint-Felix, whose bases are the twelfth century and was rebuilt in the fifteenth. It was attached to an old priory and made a parish church office until the Revolution.
Besides the remains of the medieval walls, there is also the ruins of built castle dungeon from the eleventh to the fourteenth century. The vast building that included the church was dismantled in the late seventeenth. Castle Montluisant, for its part, dates from the nineteenth: this is a noble remains high on the foundations of a building of the seventeenth. Over the course of this walk we will discover with pleasure the fountain in the central square, decorated with a sundial, which was conducted under the First Empire to celebrate the birth of the son of Napoleon.
Finally, you can not miss the bell tower that overlooks the gate Lachard, one of the five gates of the old wall.
In terms of heritage, yet a few hundred northwest of the old village, see also the sanctuary of Our Lady of Fresnau (consisting of a chapel and a miraculous fountain). This site was created a brotherhood in the nineteenth century that Pope Pius IX confirmed the indulgences of Clement IX in 1668. It validated something of a local legend that the twelfth was a blind girl regained through the view Virgin.
After his heritage and the other wealth of the town is its forest of 10,000 hectares north of the territory (many of which also covers nearby locations).
Regarding the purely communal party, it is classified National Area of Interest Fauna and Flora. The oaks and beeches are the dominant species. A sector is particularly woody (it also notes there hazel and pine), a second home limestone grasslands.
In addition to trees, sometimes rare flowers punctuate the forest (orchids) and protected birds have habits (black peaks or type of prey "circaète Jean le Blanc").
Educational trails were built to go with family. And in winter, it is sometimes also possible through the forest by dog sled.
It will be understood, the site is ideal for hikers, who have the ability also through other loops to join the Rhone valley or cross the vineyard parcels. Maps and information +33 4 75 01 00 20 or +33 4 75 90 31 59.
At the forest, yet, on the neck area of the Great, was implanted a tree climbing park where are arranged 15 courses of varying difficulty. An area with picnic areas bordering the park. Open every day during school holidays and weekends the rest of the year. Price: from 10 to 20 euros. Information +33 6 98 83 19 99.
In mid-March of Giboulées festival Marsanne with reggae music and hi-hop.
On May 1, popular festival.
On 15 August, the town party with fun activities and music.
In mid-September on two days, "Ze Fiestival" is intended as a "rural festival contemporary music for all" program and a dozen concerts (rock, electro etc.).
A weekly market every Friday and a farmers' market on the 3rd Thursday of the month from May to October in reconciling the charm and flavors from Provence.
