Brangues

1. Brangues, village classified as a Remarkable Heritage Site

– The Brangues church: rebuilt in 1847, it is famous for its rounded Swabian roof.

– The Château de Brangues and the tomb of Paul Claudel: former home of Paul Claudel, the building stands out with authority in the landscape. It was mentioned for the first time in 1351 and registered as a historic monument in 1964. It is covered with a beautiful Dauphinois roof, in scale tiles, with dormer windows on the main facade. The entrance gate to the park, made by Sieur Baudet de Groslée (Ain), is inspired by a gate of a Loire castle; its construction required a year of work.

Since 1992, the castle has hosted "Les Rencontres de Brangues". This unmissable theatre festival features world-renowned actors.

Paul Claudel lived there for 28 years, with his wife and children (he died in Paris).
Although the interior of the castle is not open to the public outside of European Heritage Days, Claudel's tomb remains accessible by walking around the park.


– The Saugey penitentiary (private site): not far from the Méander du Saugey there was a penitentiary. This old estate was acquired in 1873 by the order of Saint Leonard. Its aim is to help prisoners with their social reintegration through faith and manual work. The latter thus work as farmers or artisans.

– Vernacular heritage: 9 fountains, 5 bread ovens as well as several wash houses and wells, witnesses of a lively community life.

– The many typical Dauphinoise houses (rammed earth walls and exposed stone, 4-panel roofs and fish scale tiles).

– The square in the center of the village is lined with century-old plane trees, a bowling alley and a park with a picnic area.




2. Brangues, at the crossroads of art

– The “Claudel-Stendhal Exhibition Space,” managed by the “Brangues Village of Literature” Association. This cultural center hosts themed art and heritage exhibitions, which are renewed annually (open from May to September). Don't miss their activities offered throughout the summer for all ages.

– The “From the Solstice to the Brangues Encounters” festival brings the village to life every year in June with theatrical performances and poetry readings.

– “The Painters’ Route”: this themed route, which crosses several villages including Brangues, allows you to discover the landscapes that inspired the painters of the Lyon school of landscape in the 19th century, whose leader was François-Auguste Ravier.


3. Brangues on the nature side

– The meander of the Saugey*: the village of Brangues is ideally located in the heart of the Haut-Rhône Français National Nature Reserve. A discovery trail allows you to immerse yourself in the meander of the Saugey through a 2 km walk, accessible to families.
Remember to bring boots because the trails are often wet!

– ViaRhôna: want a little adventure on two wheels? Brangues is a stage of this cycle route. Perfect for a family stroll, but with no guarantee of not falling in love with the landscape!

– Family hike in Brangues: “History(s) of the Rhône, around Brangues” (8,2km – 2h20 – 40m d+).
Departing from Brangues, this loop which takes Viarhôna will take you to the French Haut-Rhône National Nature Reserve. Islands, lônes, river dynamics will be on the program of this walk without forgetting the local history and the varied heritage associated with this sector.
Hiking sheet on sale for €1 at the Balcons du Dauphiné Tourist Office.


4. Stendhal and Brangues, or, "The Red and the Black" and "The Berthet Affair"

Brangues remains eternally linked to Stendhal, the famous writer born in Grenoble. It was, in fact, a tragic news item, which took place a few years earlier in the village, which inspired his famous novel “The Red and the Black” which was first published in 1830.

Born in 1801 in Brangues, Antoine Berthet was a young seminarian from a modest background. He joined the Michouds as a tutor and fell in love with Madame Michoud... Later, he became a tutor for the Count of Cordon where he fell in love with Henriette, the count's daughter. They decide to get married but Madame Michoud intervenes and puts an end to this project. Three months later, Berthet shot Madame Michoud at church and then attempted suicide. Arrested then convicted, he was executed in 1828.
The character of Julien Sorel from Stendhal's famous novel mirrors Berthet, exploring ambition, unfulfilled love and social rebellion.