Langogne - Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais

A settlement likely existed along the Roman road from early times, but rural life only truly developed after Saint-Chaffre du Monastier founded a priory there. Thanks to its geographical location, the town became a trading center. Wine, leather, fabrics, and wool were traded at the market established in 1336. Merchants gradually settled in the town, and the population grew. In 1568, the Huguenot captain Merle and his 9,000 men plundered and destroyed the town. It had to be rebuilt.

Today, Langogne is a rural town with about 2,800 inhabitants. In the 1950s, it had a population of over 4,000. The population decline is clearly visible. Empty shops and abandoned stores dominate the streetscape.


The church of Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais was built in the 12th century by monks from Saint-Chaffre. It was destroyed in the 16th century during the Huguenot Wars when much of the monastery was burned down, and the church was severely damaged. The restoration brought about profound changes, but the interior with al the capitals is still romanesque.