Chalencon
Chalencon is a commune in the Ardèche department in southern France. Located about 30 kilometers west of the Rhone river on the north side of the Eyrieux river gorge. The historic village of Chalencon is at an elevation around 700 meters. Chalencon was a trading center and a center of justice in ancient times. Chalencon had a fortified chateau with a large walled compound on the hilltop overlooking the town. This complex vanished long ago and was used as a source of stone for construction in the town. The town itself had an inner and outer city walls parts of which still exist. The "Place du Valla" located in front of the entrance gate to the older inner city was originally a dry moat but now is a greenspace with beautiful views of the Mont Mezenc, an ancient inactive volcano and down into the gorge.