Lussan
Lussan is one of the very most beautiful villages in southern France.
It is perched on a rocky peak in the heart of the garrigue scrubland. The village is surrounded by ramparts, which have formed a solid shield for centuries.
Fortunately, my good friends John and Benedict have a wonderful home in Lussan, overlooking the remparts with a panoramic view as far as the eye can see. In the distance you can see the Cévennes, the mountains of Ardèche and Mont Ventoux.
They took us for a stroll around the narrow cobbled streets, which reveal an exceptional historical heritage, beautiful flowered storefronts and colorful doors.
John explained the history of Lussan which dates back to medieval times, when the village was a strategic stronghold. The Château de Lussan, dating from the 15th century, was the residence of the lords of the village.
Two other castles were built in the Middle Ages, including the Château de Fan, which is still preserved today and which is known to have been the home of the family of the writer André Gide.
In the 19th century, silk production brought prosperity to the city. Three spinning mills operated at that time in the village, including the Roux spinning mill, classified as a Remarkable Monument.
Today, Lussan has lost none of its charm, and is attracting new residents like John and Benedicte, although families who have lived there for generations remain.
Lussan has some delightful eating spots like “Le Bistrot de Lussan”, where we had a delicious lunch, sitting under the spring sunshine.
Our main course were hardly products of the terroir — turbot, swordfish and steak. So to get a taste of terroir, I had three delicious goat cheeses — chevroton, tomme and peladon We also drank some delicious red and white wine.
To make sure that I undertook my required walking, John also took me for a walk up Castrum d’Allegre, an enchanting ruined castle. The first mention of a castrum called Alegrio dates from 1136 and belonged to several seigneurial families sharing the lands of Allègre under the sovereignty of the Bishop of Uzès.