This château was one of the François de Bonne's residences. He was the duke and 'Connétable' (the Connétable was the highest ranking officer of the crown, ranking in precedence after the peers) of Lesdiguières and the last Connétable of France. He was also the leader of the Dauphiné protestants and a faithful friend (one of the most famous in the Aklps) of the future Henry IV.
The romantic and somewhat mystical ambience of these ruins make them well worth a visit!
Open to the public
The Château d'Aspres(13th century)
Dominating the Drac valley, the Aspres château is a real invitation to step back in time. Inside is a magnificient ceiling, typical of the French architecture of the time, a grand black marble staircase and beautiful four poster beds!
Today, the château is a hotel restaurant.
The Château des Herbeys This building underwent significant renovations in the 19th century and was one of several stately homes built throughout the Champsaur and Valgaudemar valleys. It was the old residence of Lord Louis-François de Herbeys, who created the 'Herbeys' canal to irrigate the plateau d'Aubessagne.
Today, the château is a hotel restaurant.
Chapelle des Petètes (18th century)
Situated in the little hamlet of l'Aubérie, between Benevent and Infournas, is this curious little gem of alpine history! Built by a local inhabitant, it is famous for its unusual ornate façade decorated with little statues and figurines. It's a rare example of the popular art of its time and is classified as a historical monument.
Mills
The old mills which can be found in every village, played an essential role in village life. They allowed the transformation of cereals into flour and nuts into oil. Usually situated next to streams or rivers, they were designed with a horizontal wheel to take advantage of the force of water. There are at least 23 examples in the Valgaudemar valley and the mill in Villar-Loubière is still in good working order - a testimony to their importance in traditional life in the mountains.
Open to the public
