Ailhon, a village in the Cévennes region of the Ardèche (07200)

Ailhon is a commune in the south of the Ardèche, near the upper Auzon valley in the Aubenas basin.

Ailhon, a village in the Cévennes region of the Ardèche

Ailhon is a small commune in the Ardèche, situated in the Ardèche Cévennes, just 5 kilometres from Aubenas. Covering an area of 780 hectares and with an average altitude of 406 metres, the village stretches across a fairly large area, where numerous hamlets are scattered throughout a landscape characterised by nature and rolling hills.

The Lande stream flows through the commune, which comprises several localities such as Burac, La Chaberterie, Le Crouzet, Le Plot, Daüs, Le Gay, La Lieure, Barsac, Le Meygris, Les Granges-de-Védignac, La Planche, Védignac and Chaunes. The inhabitants of Ailhon are known as the Ailhonnais and the Ailhonnaises.

An ancient village, steeped in history

The documented history of Ailhon dates back at least to the Middle Ages: the name of the noble d’Ailhon family first appears in 1298, when a certain Pierre d’Ailhon sold a fortified house near Mirabel Castle. The village subsequently went through difficult times, particularly during the Wars of Religion between 1586 and 1591, when it suffered greatly. In the 17th century, Ailhon was also stripped of its right to hold a consulate after taking part in the Roure revolt.

Among its notable features are Rochemure Castle and, above all, the Romanesque Church of Saint-André, built in the 12th century and subsequently altered in the 15th and 16th centuries. Its two-storey bell tower, featuring windows, together with a polychrome wooden figure of Christ, make it a valuable testament to the local heritage.

The Ailhon area also preserves much older traces of human settlement. The Daüs site has yielded rock carvings, whilst ancient Roman roads criss-cross the commune. There is also a prehistoric burial site near the hamlet of Le Gay, demonstrating that these places have been inhabited since time immemorial.

A remarkable natural setting

The village is also notable for a number of points of interest linked to its surroundings and history. The banks of the Lande offer a much-loved natural setting, featuring a land art trail known as ‘Art en Faïsses’, whilst a former iron mine serves as a reminder of the area’s industrial past. Also worth mentioning are the remains of an elm tree planted in 1593 at Sully’s request to celebrate Henry IV’s conversion to Catholicism: this historic tree once graced the village square. Finally, the forest, consisting mainly of pine trees, covers around 70 per cent of the commune, emphasising Ailhon’s densely wooded and rural character.

What are faysses?

Faïsses (also known as faysses, terraces, or clos) were used for multi-level cultivation in the Ardèche region. These terraces were traditionally planted with vines, fruit trees, or vegetable crops. The construction of the terraces is explained on four information panels along the Ailhon discovery trail:

Les Faysses, presentation on the municipality’s website ↗

Ailhon: Maps, key figures

A village in the Aubenas Basin Inter-municipal Community
Population: 553 (2023 figures); inhabitants of Ailhons: Ailhonnaises, Ailhonnais (demonym)
7.8 ^km², giving a population density of 71 inhabitants per ^km²
Altitude between 258 and 544 metres
Postcode: 07200 / INSEE code: 07002
Map showing the location of Ailhon in the Ardèche:

Services, tourism

Town hall website ↗
Map of walking routes around Aubenas, starting from the village
Where to stay in the Ardèche? Hotels and holiday rentals in Ailhon ↗
Mobility and public transport in the Ardèche
Ardèche Tourist Office for the municipality: Ardèche Secrète
Introduction to the Aubenas Basin Community of Communes

Where to stay in Ailhon?

Are you looking for a hotel, a rental, a B&B, or other accommodation in or near Ailhon in the Ardèche? A handy overview—featuring both a map and a list—to help you plan your overnight stay or holiday: