Saint-Vincent-de-Barrès is a commune in the Ardèche department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, 17 km northwest of Montélimar.
Its territory of 19 km² crossed by the course of the Rieutord ranges from 153 to 560 m in altitude. It is made up of the plain of Barrès dominated by the village, on a spur, and the hills of Barry and Andance.
If the fertile plain is cultivated, the hill of Andance is exploited for its richness in diatomite, a limestone rock used in particular in the pharmaceutical industry.
However, forests cover the majority of the locality (50% of the area).
On a site already occupied by a Roman villa during Antiquity, the village appears around a feudal castle established on the top of the Barry then around a second, from the 13th century, which became the seat of a barony occupying a strategic territory between the kingdom of France and the Holy Germanic Empire. The village develops within ramparts, at the foot of the castle.
Very marked by the Wars of Religion (the Protestants will resist as in the whole region until the first third of the 17th century), the city has retained its charm of the time (towers, narrow streets, covered passages). This has now earned it the label "Village of Character" within the "Country of Art and History of Southern Vivarais". We will stop with pleasure at Saint-Vincent-de-Barrès (850 inhabitants) before hiking in the countryside and the surrounding forests.
The small town, perched on a spur of volcanic origin, has retained its character and therefore all of its charm inherited from the Middle Ages. In the shadow of the elements of the ramparts and the imposing towers of the old feudal castle, we notice that in the old courtyard of the fortress are now housed the town hall and a health center. The narrow cobbled streets and covered walkways invite you to take a walk in these places which constitute the main heritage of the town... as well as a wonderful belvedere on the plain and the neighboring massifs.
Also worth seeing is the Saint-Vincent church rebuilt in 1687 (the previous Romanesque building did not survive the Wars of Religion), a fountain, the barely reworked gates of the old town, old shops or workshops which are now occupied by a number of craftsmen.
As for the dwellings themselves, we observe for those of medieval times their thick walls, the covered terraces, the ground floors which formerly housed stables, wide staircases... Some bourgeois houses of the 18th century also have been preserved, sometimes with beautiful French ceilings inside.
The Château de la Dame (14th century) and the stronghold of Faugères (13th century) are also worth mentioning in the town.
All these built elements have in common local materials (volcanic stones) of various colors depending on their geological dating. But we also notice that houses have been enriched with limestone from the nearby Rhone Valley (to the east).
Note that guided tours of the village are offered in season (contact +33 4 75 49 10 46) and that orientation tables are available which give particular views of the old volcanoes...
Then it's time for hikes which allow, from the village, to discover the natural assets of the town. A route is dedicated to the forest of Barrès (oaks, pines, cedars), and another invites you to explore the cultivated areas or areas reserved for livestock: Saint-Vincent-de-Barrès belongs to the wine appellation areas of the Coteaux de l'Ardèche but also the production of picodons (cheeses) or poultry from the region (guinea fowl, chickens from the Ardèche).
For walkers, loops are also possible that join Privas or the Rhône Valley. As for two-wheeler enthusiasts, they have the option from the village of reaching the nearby Payre soft route, traced on an old railway line but also the ViaRhôna, a few kilometers to the east, which connects Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean along the river on secure routes.
Maps and information on +33 4 75 49 10 46.
On Sunday morning, market on the square highlighting local products.
In July and August, on Wednesdays, another market is offered at 6 p.m.
May 1, annual flea market.
In July and August, events, exhibitions and shows with the FestiBarres association.
The first weekend of August, harvest festival.
In September, even years, medieval festival.
Every first Sunday of the month, book and craft market.
