The occupation of the territory of the commune of Rustrel dates back to the Neolithic and then Roman times as evidenced by the remains of the two Celto-Ligurian oppidums of Le Pointu and Castillon and the existence of the Roman villas of Lausnava and Proxana. The locations of these two villas are still marked today by the Notre-Dame des Anges chapel, known until the 17th century as the Villevieille chapel, and the Saint-Julien priory dating from the 11th century but renovated in 1646.