The Chapelle Sainte-Madeleine is an isolated Romanesque building dating from around 1180, situated among white oaks about four kilometres southwest of the village. It was inhabited by hermits until the French Revolution and restored from 1975 to 1979. Including the land of parcel C 167, the chapel was listed as a Historic Monument by decree of 30 June 1997.
Those considering Châteauneuf-Val-Saint-Donat as a holiday destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment here.
Culture and History
The ruined old village of Châteauneuf-Val-Saint-Donat is situated on a hill overlooking the plain. From 1423 to 1733, the former name Châteauneuf-les-Charbonniers was used. It referred to the local production of charcoal from wood obtained through land clearance.
The Lavoir du Pleidieu is located in the south of the municipality in open countryside, far from residential buildings. In ancient times, a 3,000 m² Gallo-Roman site was located nearby. The Église Saint Antoine became the parish church in 1683 and was still used for funeral services in 1876; its vault later collapsed, and it was replaced by the old Sainte-Madeleine church.
Trails and Landscape
The Circuit des Bories is an easy 8-kilometre circular trail with a walking time of around three hours and 287 metres of ascent and descent. It runs along the southern slope of the Montagne de Lure and leads through a mineral landscape to the bories, former shepherds’ buildings of Haute-Provence.
The circular trail Le vieux village passes below the Chapelle Saint-Antoine and reaches the southern end of the old village. The return route begins at a ruined mill and leads back to Châteauneuf along olive groves, fields and garrigue.
Local Life
La Toma de Lura sells organic goat cheese and organic goat kids raised by their mothers directly from the farm in Châteauneuf-Val-Saint-Donat.
