Mens, in the heart of Trièves, owns an outstanding patrimony. It is also lively market town, fast-expanding which, at a time when cities and country tend to mix up, has known how to keep its character.

Country town, Mens is considered as the capital city of Trièves. At the bottom of the Châtel and of the Obiou, this lively village knew how to evolve and preserve its activity.

Mens has a huge historical patrimony. Populated by many Protestants during the 16th century (about 90% of the inhabitants), it was in the middle of the wars of religion. Mens is one of the rare villages to have two bell-towers: a church and a temple. We can find under Mens many galleries. They were formerly used by the Protestants as means of escape, a safety to escape from the catholics who looted and burned the houses/monuments several times. Today, we can find the separating wall between the two catholic and Protestant cemeteries, wall which was lowered recently. The houses, very tightened the ones from each others, form very typical alley-ways in the style of Trièves (tiles in scale, génoises, skylight windows with two or three sides of roof creating wonderful rooms under the attic). That is explained by the presence of fortifications in the past, and the lack of place behind the walls. It was also a great trade center, between "dauphiné" and "Provence". The market called "Halle", located between the church and the temple, is still perfectly preserved by Mens. We can find too many sculpted basins, and nicely decorated with flowers.

By visiting Mens, you won't leave without having tasted the famous Bouffette, two cream-filled sponge cakes/biscuits.

On the square of "La Halle" you will find the Museum of Trièves where many exhibitions are presented, explaining the past and the origins of Trièves. (http://www.musee-trieves.fr).