While Lyon has over 522,250 inhabitants, the village of Rochefourchat has... just two! One of them is named Josette. She is 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 town council. If you're looking to escape the crowd and the noise of neighbors, it goes without saying that this is the dream spot!
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A Rich History
Rochefourchat hasn’t always been this sparsely populated. Back in the Middle Ages, the village was part of Comtat Venaissin, an ancient papal state. In 1793, it still had 220 residents. Today, although it’s almost deserted, this village retains its charm and history. Yes, Rochefourchat has a few surprises to offer! You’ll find a church, a chapel, a cemetery, a small village square, and a building that serves as the Town Hall. It’s also at the local cemetery here that Madeleine Farnier, an ancestor of Marcel Pagnol, rests.
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A Village Not So Deserted
Even though it's the smallest village in terms of population, Rochefourchat is definitely not deserted. The village has six houses and a non-functioning phone booth (so don't count on it in case of an emergency). To add a splash of art and modernity, you'll find a plaque that says "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 may not be the end of the world, but it's far enough for a peaceful and extraordinary getaway. The perfect spot to truly venture off the beaten path and give yourself a break when you're feeling overwhelmed by too many people...