Saint-Chaptes

Saint-Chaptes, a village with a rich historical past, has traces of life dating back to prehistoric times. The village's current name appeared in 1121 in the form of Sainte Agathe, then Sancta Agatha. Today, Saint-Chaptes cultivates a balanced way of life that it wishes to preserve.

History & Heritage

Saint-Chaptes, surrounded by vineyards and cereal fields, is a charming farming village with architecture typical of the southern Cévennes. The village, formerly known as Sainte Agathe, has a rich history marked by two privately-owned castles: Château de Saint-Chaptes, of medieval origin with its oasis of greenery and two towers, and Château de la Tour, modernized in the 19th century in the Directoire style with a turret added by Viollet Le Duc. A 13th-century keep dominates the park and rises above the agricultural plain. These châteaux, listed as Monuments Historiques, are not open to the public. Saint-Chaptes also boasts four fountains scattered around the village.

A Balance Between Nature and Agriculture

With its 1306 hectares, Saint-Chaptes is a village where nature and agriculture play an important role. Stroll through vineyards and cereal fields, cultivated by farmers. The majority of the commune is devoted to agriculture, due to the flood-prone areas where housing is concentrated.

Sculpted rocks

 

Take a family outing and discover the colorful sculptures and bas-reliefs in the pretty village of Saint-Chaptes. Inspired by the drawings seen in the Chauvet and Lascaux caves, artist Jean-Marc Pagès, known as Marcus, has sculpted a whole bestiary where human hands appear: horse, bull, boar and more exotic animals will punctuate your walk!