Vallon-Pont-d'Arc
Encyclopedia
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc is a commune
in the Ardèche
department in southern France
.
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc is a capital of prehistoric and cultural tourism. This small village, peaceful in wintertime, sees its population expand ten-fold in summer. Its touristic importance largely comes from the fact that it is the departure point for the descent of the gorge of the Ardèche river (from Pont d'Arc
to Saint-Martin-d'Ardeche
).
, a natural arch of more than 30 meters height, carved out by the Ardèche and classified as Great Site of France, gave it its name.
1.8 km (1.1 mi) southeast of the village, the river Ibie
flows into the Ardèche, which forms all of the commune's south-western border.
Every summer, many events are organized: the lavender feast and the olive feast, prehistoric days with expositions, ateliers, conferences and presentations lasting for over a week after August 15.
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
in the Ardèche
Ardèche
Ardèche is a department in south-central France named after the Ardèche River.- History :The area has been inhabited by humans at least since the Upper Paleolithic, as attested by the famous cave paintings at Chauvet Pont d'Arc. The plateau of the Ardeche River has extensive standing stones ,...
department in southern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc is a capital of prehistoric and cultural tourism. This small village, peaceful in wintertime, sees its population expand ten-fold in summer. Its touristic importance largely comes from the fact that it is the departure point for the descent of the gorge of the Ardèche river (from Pont d'Arc
Pont d'Arc
The Pont d'Arc is a large natural bridge, located in the Ardèche département in the south of France, near the town of Vallon-Pont-d'Arc....
to Saint-Martin-d'Ardeche
Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche
Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche is a commune in the department of Ardèche in southern France.Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche is situated at the southern entrance of the Ardèche Canyon, the Gorges de l'Ardèche.-Administration:...
).
Geography
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc is situated at the threshold of one of the most beautiful tourist sites of France: "les gorges de l'Ardèche" (the Ardèche canyon). The famous Pont d'ArcPont d'Arc
The Pont d'Arc is a large natural bridge, located in the Ardèche département in the south of France, near the town of Vallon-Pont-d'Arc....
, a natural arch of more than 30 meters height, carved out by the Ardèche and classified as Great Site of France, gave it its name.
1.8 km (1.1 mi) southeast of the village, the river Ibie
Ibie
The Ibie is a long river in the Ardèche département, southeastern France. Its source is at Saint-Jean-le-Centenier, south of the village. It flows generally south-southwest, through the northern part of the Côtes du Vivarais AOC...
flows into the Ardèche, which forms all of the commune's south-western border.
History
- 1801: Saint-Martin-d'Arc renamed to Chames
- 1825: Chames renamed to Vallon
- 25 September 1948: Vallon becomes Vallon-Pont-d'Arc
Administration
| Period | Name | Party | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–1995 | Jean-Pierre Ageron | socialist | |
| 1995–2001 | Jean-Pierre Ageron | socialist | |
| 2001–2008 | Pierre Peschier | right wing | |
| 2008–2014 | Claude Benahmed | socialist | |
| Prior data not yet known. | |||
Population
Tourism
- The Pont d'ArcPont d'ArcThe Pont d'Arc is a large natural bridge, located in the Ardèche département in the south of France, near the town of Vallon-Pont-d'Arc....
- The Chauvet CaveChauvet CaveThe Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc Cave is a cave in the Ardèche department of southern France that contains the earliest known cave paintings, as well as other evidence of Upper Paleolithic life. It is located near the commune of Vallon-Pont-d'Arc on a limestone cliff above the former bed of the Ardèche River...
is not open to the public. An exposition site, copied from the cave, is open to the public so they can discover the oldest paleolithic paintings - 32.000 B.C. - and the lifestyle of the Cro-Magnon man[] - The museum of the Chauvet Cave
- The town hall (a castle constructed in 1639 under Louis XIII) houses seven tapestries from AubussonAubusson, CreuseAubusson is a commune in the Creuse department in the Limousin region in central France.-Geography:...
, showing the crusadesCrusadesThe Crusades were a series of religious wars, blessed by the Pope and the Catholic Church with the main goal of restoring Christian access to the holy places in and near Jerusalem...
, exhibited in the Hall of Honor - The Gorges de l'Ardèche
- The Gorges de l'Archèche National Park
- Android tourism guide
Events
The village is very lively, especially in summer, with in its center numerous shops and a market on Thursday and on Tuesday evening, which is known for its large success.Every summer, many events are organized: the lavender feast and the olive feast, prehistoric days with expositions, ateliers, conferences and presentations lasting for over a week after August 15.