Montbrun-les-Bains

Montbrun- les- Bains is a commune of the Drôme Provençale, in the Rhone -Alpes. Administratively, it is assigned to the Canton Séderon and the arrondissement of Nyons.

The village is since 1982 as one of the plus beaux villages de France ( most beautiful villages in France ) classified and has many sources.

Geography

The southern French mountain village with 415 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) located in the south of the Drôme Provençale 95 km south-southeast of Valence to almost 600 meters above sea level on the slopes of Mont Ventoux. The municipality is crossed by the Toulourenc. The climate is Mediterranean and the countryside has a specialized dry vegetation, where above all the numerous lavender fields are obvious. The resort has a spa.

History

The sulfur-containing baths were already used to the Gallo -Roman period against rheumatism and skin diseases as well as to open up the airways.

In the Middle Ages, the estate belonged to the first families d' Agoult and de Mévouillon, and later of the dynasty Dupuy. In the 12th century, the abbey of Saint -André de Villeneuve- lès -Avignon had in Montbrun a priory and three churches. All these facilities were subject to duty. In the 13th century, then still remained the Priory and a church.

Charles Dupuy was born 1530 in Montbrun. He was a lieutenant and successor of François de Beaumont - Baron of Adrets and became a leader of the Calvinists. He fought bravely and was checked hard; for he was given the nickname of the " Protestant Bayard " and " the Brave ". On August 12, 1575 wounded and captured at the Battle Bataille du pont de Mirabel at Châtillon -en- Diois, he was transferred to Grenoble and condemned by the Parlement to death. The very next day he was executed.

Demographics

Spa

The spa, which is a key pillar of economic life for Montbrun and the surrounding area has been expanded in 2006. The resort has numerous guest farms, including two big holiday villages and two resorts.

Attractions

• The Belfry or tour l' Horloge stands halfway up the hill, perched on the Montbrun- les- Bains. This crenellated tower with a cast iron lantern served as one of the four gates of the fortified medieval city. The terrace offers an impressive view of the valley of the Anary ( a tributary of the Toulourenc ), the village Reilhanette and the Mont Ventoux. Since 1926, the tower stands under monument protection.

• The parish church dates from the 12th century. Remarkable inside the Altar of the sculptor Jacques Bernus (1650-1728) is decorated with paintings of Parrocel family.

• The ruins of the Renaissance castle Château Dupuy - Montbrun, the very top of the hill, dominating thanks to their size and location of the place.

• The Château situated in a beautiful park de Gipière is a thermal bath from the 19th century. It is still in operation and accessible to the public.

• The Château Reybaud is a donjon with a square base, which is very close to the top of the village on the rocky cliff.

• Tour l' Horloge
• Parish Church
• Château Dupuy - Montbrun
• Modern Thermal

Personalities

• Charles Dupuy de Montbrun (1530-1575), leader of the Huguenots