While Lyon has more than 522,250 inhabitants, the village of Rochefourchat has... only one! The sole resident of this rural commune is named Josette. And because she is the only one, she automatically serves as the Deputy Mayor of Rochefourchat, a certain Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne de Martigny, a Parisian lawyer who visits the village every three months to hold the council meetings. If you are looking to escape the crowds and the noise of neighbors, needless to say, this is the perfect place!
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A rich history
Rochefourchat hasn't always been so depopulated. In the Middle Ages, the village was part of the Comtat Venaissin, an old papal state. In 1793, it still counted 220 inhabitants. Today, although almost deserted, this village has kept its charm and history. Because yes, Rochefourchat has a few surprises to offer. You will find a church, a chapel, a cemetery, a small village square, and a building that serves as the Town Hall. It is actually in the local cemetery here that Madeleine Farnier, an ancestor of Marcel Pagnol, is buried.
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A village not so deserted
Even though it is the smallest village in terms of population, Rochefourchat is not deserted. The village has six houses and a non-functioning telephone booth (so, don't count on it in case of emergency). To add a touch of art and modernity, you will find a plaque that reads "Middle of Nowhere", proving that Rochefourchat is part of the international network of ghost contemporary art centers, an initiative by the French artist Laurent Mulot.
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Located 75 km from Valence, the nearest village to Rochefourchat is Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert, just 4.5 km away. It's not exactly the end of the world, but distant enough for a peaceful and extraordinary escape. The perfect place to truly get off the beaten path and treat yourself to a break when you've had enough of human beings...
