Montbrun-les-Bains

Montbrun-les-Bains, a small village –it counts only 438 habitants - at the border of  Drôme provençale and Vaucluse, has still kept its medieval character. 

The high houses, some with six or seven floors, one piled up the other are build up to the mountain on the rocks, and supported by high stony walls and impressive columns. At the top, the towers of the ruin dominate the impressive Renaissance castle, built in 1564-1573 by Charles Dupuy-Montbrun, a famous Protestant leader in the Dauphine region. It’s not surprising that Montbrun-les-Bains is classified as one of the most 100 beautiful villages on France.

The centre of Montbrun lies at the foot of a mountain: in this new part of the village you can find several shops and restaurants. You will not be thrilled by its architecture, but in the summer it is certainly nice to have a drink under the platanes or tilleuls at the terrace of one of the bars or restaurants after having a long walk in the historical part.

By entering the historical part you pass two medieval gates: the one of Beffroi on the east side and ‘Porte de la Clastre’ (Clastre gate) at the foot of the church, which gives access to the castle ruins. While walking in the medieval little streets you will find several fountains each with their own history. The Beffroi tower, also called Clock Tower, a 13^th century defending tower with the battlements intact, proves the illustrious history of Montbrun being a strategic spot to be protected from enemies.

The 14^th century church, built by the Calvinists in the period that the village was protestant, has been enlarged, enriched, and covered in a baroque style. In 1978 an important restoration has been taken place where the late medieval frescos have been restored to return into their original state.

The medieval castle has been destroyed in 1560, in name of the King. Later on Charles Dupuy built his Renaissance dream castle on its ruins where it was abandoned by its owners in 1789 and was sold as a national property until not long after it got destroyed for a second time. The castle ruins are only to be seen from the outside as the domain is now a private property. The view from the historical part of Montbrun at the level of the castle, is fantastic: it has got a panoramic view on the plain and surrounded forest  mountains with at a distance the lovely village of Reilhanette, built on a hill with its castle ruins on top.

Montbrun-les-Bains is known for its natural water sources enriched with sulfide. Although the Romans already used these sources, the village actually became a thermal station from the 16^th century until the Revolution. In 1865, the marquis of Suarez d’Aulan realised a real thermal site, a copy of the one of Baden-Baden. The baths of Montbrun were especially known in the medical world: the baths were specialized in treating arthritis, rheumatism and respiratory ailments. Today you can go to the thermal baths just to relax, to enjoy the swimming pool, the sauna and to let yourself coddled with a massage.

Despite the growing tourism, Montbrun-les-Bains has still kept its authentic medieval character and let you enjoy the site at its maximum. Surrounded by the beautiful nature Montbrun is still a place that makes you forget everything around you. The altitude of this provençal village provides a pleasant climate: in the summer during the day it is sunny and pretty warm as in the evening the temperature goes down to around 20 degrees.

The local tourism office organizes several tracks in the village to discover the history of this superb medieval village with its thermal sources. Guides will show you around from april 14^th until October 29^th, every Tuesday from 15 o’clock.