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The village of Saint-Etienne-de-Lugdarès in Ardèche

Saint-Etienne-de-Lugdarès is a rural commune with several hamlets in the west of the department, in the Masméjan valley. Here’s a closer look at this village in the Ardèche.

Town, village in Ardèche

Saint-Etienne-de-Lugdarès ?

Saint-Étienne-de-Lugdarès is a village in the far west of the Ardèche département, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, on the borders of the Lozère and Haute-Loire departments.

Situated on the Ardèche plateau as far as the Allier valley, the commune stretches between 1,485 and 969 metres above sea level in the valley of the Masméjean, a high-altitude, fast-flowing river that flows through an area geologically marked by past volcanic activity.

The mountain climate produces harsh winters and temperate summers, with a significant rainfall of between 1,000 and 1,500 millimetres per year, and an average annual temperature of 8.2°C (with a monthly average of 0 to 17 throughout the year).

The village is an integral part of the Tanargue massif, where the Atlantic and Mediterranean waters divide. It is crossed by the D19 departmental road between Luc on the D906 in Lozère and Lalevade-d’Ardèche, where it joins the N102 national road.

Although in the Ardèche, the village is closer to the Langogne catchment area in the Lozère département in the Occitanie region. Just take the D906 departmental road to Langogne and the N88 trunk road.

A little history

The name Lugdarès could refer to the Gallic god Lug (likened to Mercury by the Romans), although its exact etymology is still the subject of research. The seigneury of Ubas, in this region and in particular in today’s Haute-Loire, is cited as early as the 17ᵉ century.

The parish of also goes down in history as the site of one of the first documented attacks by the Beast of Gévaudan, in 1764, which claimed its first victim at a place called Les Hubacs, a 14-year-old girl called Jeanne Boulet1.

Economy and tourism

The local economy remains predominantly agricultural and forestry. The main activities are farming, livestock breeding and forestry, as well as electricity generation with the wind farm. The economic fabric includes a number of craft businesses, real estate activities and public services.

In terms of tourism, the commune’s offer is based on its unspoilt countryside and hiking trails. There is also a campsite with pitches for caravans, as well as a number of gîtes and chambres d’hôtes in the surrounding hamlets, with a tourist information point open during the summer period 2.

Natural, heritage and cultural sites and activities

Natural sites

  • The Tanargue massif and its hiking trails, including the Randolienne
  • The Masméjean stream and its surroundings are ideal for exploring and walking.
  • Hiking trails: Le Cros, Chemin des Trois Seigneurs and others
  • The Ron de la Baoume, a granite chaos popular with walkers on the Lozère side.

Built and historical heritage

  • Thevillage church, nicknamed the “little cathedral of the mountains” because of its remarkable size and Gothic style.
  • The Masméjean mill
  • Several small old hamlets, such as Huédour, les Hubacs, le Cros and Masméjean, bear witness to the traditional dispersed rural habitat.

Weather in Saint-Etienne-de-Lugdarès

And to help you plan your activities in Saint-Etienne-de-Lugdarès and the Masméjean valley, here is the 5-day weather forecast with temperatures, wind and precipitation:

Map of the municipality

Interactive map to locate Saint-Etienne-de-Lugdarès and situate the commune in France :

Google Maps routes 🗺
See also: map of Ardèche and outline of communes

Where to stay in Saint-Etienne-de-Lugdarès?

Find a hotel, gîte or rental near the commune and the valley (map) :

Lien web