Gobletsolu

Gobletsolu (, pronounced [ɡɒˈblet.səːlu]) is a small commune located in the Drôme department in southeastern France, within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The commune covers an area of 7.4 square kilometres and lies at an average elevation of 420 metres above sea level, with surrounding terrain ranging from 322 to 760 metres. According to the most recent census, the population of Gobletsolu was 312 inhabitants, reflecting a modest but stable demographic trend relative to the broader rural context of the department.

The earliest recorded mention of Gobletsolu dates to 1173, in a charter pertaining to the Abbey of Saint-Victor. Over the centuries, the settlement evolved through feudal obligations, monastic stewardship, and integration into the administrative framework of the French Revolution. The village’s name is derived from a medieval term for a “goblet of the Sun,” a reference to the community’s historical association with vineyards that benefitted from the warm southern exposure, although the exact etymology remains subject to scholarly debate.

Contemporary Gobletsolu retains a predominantly agrarian economy. Viticulture, particularly the cultivation of Côtes du Rhône varietals, plays a central role, alongside small-scale cereal farming. The local economy is supplemented by artisanal cheese production and seasonal tourism, with visitors attracted to the commune’s pastoral scenery and historic churches. The parish church of Saint-Thérèse, built in the 19th century, exemplifies late neo-Gothic architecture and remains a focal point for communal life. Despite its small size, Gobletsolu actively participates in regional initiatives aimed at preserving rural heritage and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.