What are the best things to do in Montbrun-Les-Bains? Immersion in the heart of a beautiful village, in the heart of the Drôme Provençale
Located in the Regional Park of the Baronnies Provençales, in the Drôme, come and visit Montbrun-les-Bains. Do not miss to discover this charming citadel village, characterized by its tall stone houses. Perched on the hill, you will access the typical Provencal calades punctuate its heart.
If you visit Montbrun-Les-Bains, you will discover some vestiges of the Roman era. But it is still the medieval era that predominates and makes all the village’s charm: streets in calade, paved stairs, castles, fountains … Magnificent treasures await you! But the fame of Montbrun-Les-Bains is also due to its thermal baths, making the village a recognized spa resort.
So, you wonder what to do in Montbrun-Les-Bains? Here, we will tell you everything on “best things to do in Montbrun-Les-Bains” here.
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The 9 Best Things To Do in Montbrun-Les-Bains
1. The Thermal Baths of Montbrun
Photo credit: Wikipedia – 26nostromo
Since Roman times, the beneficial properties of the waters of Montbrun-Les-Bains have attracted spa guests from all over the country. A thermal establishment is installed in the village, offering treatments for the respiratory tract and rheumatology or fitness cures.
The village also has a superb thermal spa, with a thermal pool, hammam, sauna, jacuzzis, solarium … For a pure moment of well-being!
2. The Belfry
Photo credit: Flickr – Patrick Chabert
If you are going to visit Montbrun-Les-Bains, you can admire the belfry of the village, an exceptionally well-preserved former military structure. This magnificent testimony of medieval times, dating from the twelfth century, has now become the clock tower. It is surmounted by a bell tower from which the bell is suspended to ring throughout the village.
3. The Cross of the Penitent
The cross of the Penitent of Montbrun-Les-Bains is quite recent since it dates from the early twentieth century. It was erected here due to a mission launched by the Catholic Church, which found the French countryside de-Christianized.
4. The Church of the Nativity
If you are looking for what to do in Montbrun-Les-Bains, do not miss to visit its magnificent Church, located in the heart of the village. Heavily reworked over the years, it dates from the twelfth century. Inside, you will discover beautiful canvases and a colorful nave.
5. Château Montbrun
The ruins of the feudal castle overlooking the village are a must if you come to visit Montbrun-Les-Bains. Built in the fourteenth century, it was demolished in 1560, then rebuilt by Charles Dupuy Montbrun in 1564 in a pure Renaissance style. It was considered, at the time, one of the most beautiful and important in the region. 3 of its 4 round towers are still in excellent condition.
6. The fortified gates of the village
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Toutaitanous
At the time, 4 fortified gates protected the village of Montbrun-Les-Bains. Today, they are still visible and well preserved. If you are looking for what to do in Montbrun-Les-Bains, browse the village to meet them. You will find the Portal Ste-Marie, the door of the Clastre, located under the Church’s vault, the door of the Belfry, and finally, the castle’s door.
7. The Fountain Trail
Photo credit: Flickr – Patrick Chabert
Wondering what to do in Montbrun-les-Bains? We advise you to take the Path of the Fountains, walk through the village and admire its remains, as its name suggests, from a fountain to fountain—a nice moment on the theme of water and a pleasant way to discover the place. Going to the fountain trails is one of the best things in Montbrun-Les-Bains.
8. Local products
Photo credit: Flickr – The Pingus
If you come to visit Montbrun-Les-Bains, you will not be able to skip the region’s local products. Olive oil, tapenade, goat cheese, honey… These Provencal flavors will mark your mind without a shadow of a doubt! Not to mention the wines under the Côtes du Rhône appellation to accompany all this.
To discover them, go to the pretty little shops that dot the village, the farmers’ market, or one of the farms nearby.
9. Surroundings
Photo credit: Shutterstock – visuall2
Le Mont Ventoux
If you visit Montbrun-Les-Bains, it would be a shame not to travel the 12 kilometers that separate you from Mont Ventoux. Symbol of Provence, you can climb it by car or bike for the sportier. Be careful; this is still one of the key stages of the Tour de France!
Once you get to the top, an incredible panorama of the Baronnies Provençale, the Rhone Valley, and the Vaucluse plateau is offered to you.
Reilhanette
Just 3 kilometres from Montbrun-les-Bains is the charming village of Reilhanette. Dominated by the imposing ruins of its castle dating from the twelfth century, the village is worth a look. If only for the view at the top of the castle, on the hills of the plain of Montbrun-Reilhanette and the foothills of Mont Ventoux.
The Lavender Farm
Are you still looking for what to do in Montbrun-Les-Bains? So take your car, and drive to Sault en Provence, only 11 kilometers away. Here, you will discover the Lavender Farm, an angelic park of 5 ha, where lavender is grown and presented to the public in the collection gardens.
You will discover everything about the history of lavender, the different varieties, its cultivation, and its different uses. You have to go through the shop, where you will want to bring everything back!
How to get to Montbrun-les-Bains?
You want to visit Montbrun-Les-Bains, wondering how to get there? We’ll tell you everything here!
All aboard
To reach the village of Montbrun-Les-Bains, you will need to:
- If you arrive from the North: Take the A7 motorway, Exit 19 (Bollène)
- Arriving from the South: preway the A9 motorway, Exit 21 (Orange Centre). You will then reach Vaison-la-Romaine (38 km) and Montbrun-les-Bains.
By plane/train
When you arrive by plane at Avignon Airport, you are 75 km away from the nearest airport. A little further but bigger, you have the airport of Marseille (119 km) or Lyon (263 km).
Do not hesitate to consult the offers on flight comparators like Skyscanner, which will help you find the best prices for your flight tickets.
Trains also serve the cities of Montélimar (96 km), Avignon (83 km), and Orange (65km).
Then, to get to Montbrun-Les-Bains, you can rent a car to travel the kilometers that separate your place of arrival from the spa.
Where to stay in Montbrun-les-Bains?
Do not hesitate to stay overnight in Montbrun if you visit this rural place. Hotel rooms, cottages, Airbnb apartments… Solutions exist to remain in the heart of the village or the nearby surroundings.
For example, you can stay at Marguerite’s House. After your walk through the streets of Montbrun-Les-Bains, you can rest in the middle of the lavender fields.
Above all, book your stay in advance, and help you with a hotel comparator to find the cheapest rates.
Now that you know what the best things to do in Montbrun-Les-Bains, it is great to pack your bags and go on an adventure!