From the height of its promontory, this much-visited village, steeped in history, is a mute observer of the modern development taking place in the valley below.

One man made a mark on the area in the 16th century in the shape of Baron Antoine Escalin, appointed ambassador to Constantinople by François I and admiral of the royal galleys. He built a château at La Garde, of which only a few vestiges remain. This was a splendid Renaissance edifice; in many respects a smaller version of Grignan, the splendour of Drôme Provençale.

St Michel's chapel, a jewel of romanesque architecture, is one of the finest of the area. Its octagonal tower, not unlike that of the abbey of Cluny, looks over the remarkable terraces of the Jardin des Herbes.

This impressive fortified village, enjoying a commanding position above the Rhône Valley, near Pierrelatte, has managed to avoid depopulation: a number of artisans and artists have established themselves along the paved streets leading to the church. Open the doors of their premises and you will get a glimpse of the interior architecture of these old restored houses.