The small valleys

4 points of interest

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  Small heritage

  The screw press

  This monumental 18th-century press, displayed at the entrance of the village against the façade of the multipurpose hall, is a vivid testament to the region’s winemaking traditions. It is a lever press that was once used in the hamlet of Frayssignes, on the Bonnet family estate, where terraced vineyards thrived thanks to the ideal south-west facing slopes of the Rance Valley. Although screw presses have been known since Antiquity, they were perfected in the 18th century. This particular example, built with oak for the lever and vertical supports and chestnut for the horizontal beam, is especially rare and well preserved. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Frayssignes estate covered nearly three hectares of vineyards.

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  Small heritage

  The Saint-Eutrope Cross

  Dating from the 15th century, the Saint-Eutrope Cross is a remarkable element of the local heritage, listed as a Historic Monument by decree on March 8, 1929. Although it was knocked over by a storm and now stands on a modern base, this stone cross remains a work of great interest. Its distinctive design features two independent faces linked by rings, while the lobes beneath the crossbar recall Gothic crosses. One side depicts the Crucifixion, offering a powerful and timeless representation of Christian faith in the medieval period.

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  History and heritage

  The Romanesque Church of Saint Martin

  Listed as a Historic Monument, the Romanesque Church of Saint Martin is a true gem of medieval architecture. Built in the 12th century, it stands out for the harmonious blend of styles it displays: the choir and transept reflect southern Romanesque features, while the nave, enlarged in the 15th century, adopts Gothic lines. Perched on a rocky promontory overlooking three meanders of the Rance River, this modest building offers a remarkable panorama and is instantly recognizable by its slender octagonal bell tower. Visible from afar – especially when illuminated at night – it seems to watch over the Rance Valley. Inside, a 15th-century cross, a relic of the Knights Hospitaller of Jerusalem, bears witness to the site’s rich religious history.

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  History and heritage

  Saint-Juéry Castle

  The Castle is said to date from the second half of 16th century a time when Wars of Religion were raging throughout the region. The fortress comprises a rectangular-shaped main building with corners supported by round towers that stand out from the four curtain walls. The Castle defence was provided by a well-conceived system with musket loopholes distributed over four floors on either side of each tower. Legend has it that in former times there was a lord who wanted to accumulate too much power. The king at that time would have sent troops to dismantle a tower of the Castle as a punishment and a mark of disgrace… Long ago, the land of St-Juéry was part of the royal domain. An uninterrupted succession of noble families have lived in the Castle and most of the lords of St-Juéry were laid to rest in the former parish church.