Anneyron is a commune in the Drôme department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, 25 km east of Annonay.
Bordering Isère to the northwest, its 36 km² territory belongs to the Valloire plain, and heralds the Drôme des Collines which links the Rhône valley (to the west) to Vercors (to the is).
Hilly (from 165 to 372 meters above sea level), crossed by the Bancel and the Argentelle, tributaries of the Rhône, the locality has retained an essentially rural character, covered two-thirds of cultivated land (production of fruits and cereals) but also forests (11% of its area) and grasslands.
Parish dependent on that of Albon until the Revolution, the commune became autonomous under Napoleon I. The village of Mantaille was then attached to it, whose castle, which hosted a council in the 9th century, was for a time a Carolingian royal residence.
Nowadays, Anneyron, where a few industries have established themselves, has nearly 4,000 inhabitants, including 500 in the hamlet of Mantaille. The rich heritage of the town and the hamlets and the leisure offer accessible to visitors and holidaymakers (especially fishing and hiking enthusiasts) should be taken into account during a stay in the region.
In terms of heritage, several religious or civil sites testify to a prosperous and active past.
In the village, this is the case of the Notre-Dame de l'Assomption church, which was built from the 12th century in a Romanesque style characteristic of the Rhône valley. The apse and the base of the bell tower have been preserved, but the nave and the porch bell tower were rebuilt in the 19th century using local bricks and pebbles. Inside, the church houses frescoes dating from the 16th and 18th centuries at the level of the apse, notably representing the Ascension of Christ. Moreover, under the dome, there are still pilasters and sculpted capitals of Romanesque style. Near the church, the old presbytery has retained a Renaissance style facade.
Still on Anneyron, we notice traditional dwellings having been built with pebbles.
To the south-east, in the village of Mantaille, the Romanesque-based Sainte-Agathe church does not lack character. The ruins of the castle from the Carolingian period (8th century, remodeled until the 14th century) which had been erected on a motte are also still visible. The whole site, sometimes wrongly called "old castle of Barbe-Bleue", was acquired by the municipality to be preserved.
Other castles are worth mentioning. Such as that of Larnage, in the heart of the village. Built for a chancellor of Dauphiné in 1340, who died of the plague on his return from the crusade, remodeled in the 15th and 18th centuries after meeting other lords, the castle was seized and then sold during the Revolution. It was then occupied by religious congregations who made it a place of education. More recently, the site was rehabilitated to host cultural events (exhibitions, shows). New work has just been undertaken by the municipality, owner of the castle, in order to restore it and enhance its exteriors. It will then continue to host cultural events, seminars, receptions...
Also worth mentioning, the Château du Cros and its circular towers, the old stronghold of Saleton (13th century) remodeled into a pleasure residence and formerly the property of the Marquis d 'Arlandes (1742-1809). This one was one of the first two French aeronauts, with Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier.
As you walk around the town, you can still see the old fortified houses of La Béraudière and Blains or the remains (elements of ramparts) of an ephemeral new town founded at the beginning of the 14th century, Coinaud.
On the cultural side, Anneyron has several function rooms (including one in the village of Mantaille) where shows and association events are programmed. Inquire on +33 4 75 31 51 11.
As for "nature" sports and leisure, a multi-sports ground, tennis courts and bowling alleys are accessible. However, it is the base of Argentelle which proves to be the most attractive point in this area: near the river and a 2-hectare pond, there are an orienteering course and a fitness course. Fishermen are also welcome here. A playground and shaded picnic areas complete the package. Information on +33 4 75 31 51 11.
The base is also the starting point for several hiking trails dedicated in particular to the discovery of biodiversity. These "tree paths" allow you to appreciate the landscapes of the Drôme des Collines and its ecological richness via "totems" in the form of explanatory panels.
Cycle tourism circuits and the Ardéchoise route (safe greenway) are also accessible from the town.
It is easy to reach the nearby ViaRhôna (several hundred kilometers of track) which connects Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean... Maps and information on +33 4 75 82 19 26.
This bucolic and discreetly hilly environment also lends itself to horseback riding: available on Anneyron the Collines horse farm (contact +33 6 78 46 41 77) and the Tous en Selle pony club (join +33 6 59 97 79 64).
Every Tuesday, the market showcases local products from Dauphiné and the Rhône Valley as well as local producers (fruit).
During the second half of January, Metis'Sons cabaret.
The first Saturday in May, flower, agricultural and craft fair.
At Pentecost, pond festival.
End of June, summer party.
On July 13, on the occasion of the national holiday, market in the village, gourmet entertainment, fireworks and evening ball.
