Vallon-Pont-d'Arc
| Vallon-Pont-d'Arc | ||
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| region | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | |
| Department | Ardèche | |
| Arrondissement | Largentière | |
| Canton | Vallon-Pont-d'Arc | |
| Community association | Gorges de l'Ardèche | |
| Coordinates | 44 ° 24 ' N , 4 ° 24' E | |
| height | 60-434 m | |
| surface | 28.62 km 2 | |
| Residents | 2,382 (January 1, 2017) | |
| Population density | 83 inhabitants / km 2 | |
| Post Code | 07150 | |
| INSEE code | 07330 | |
| Website | www.vallon-pont-darc.com | |
 Natural stone arch Pont d'Arc |
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Vallon-Pont-d'Arc is a French commune with 2382 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2017) in the Ardèche department .
geography
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc is located in the Ardèche valley , on the outskirts of the village the Ibie flows into the Ardèche. In Vallon, the 30 km long, spectacular Gorges de l'Ardèche begin with the 60 meter high natural stone arch Pont d'Arc , which was chosen as an addition to the place name.
history
In Roman times the road from Nîmes to Alba-la-Romaine ran along here and the area was called Aballo . A legionary camp was built and was given the name Castrum de Avalone , which was valid until the Middle Ages. Remains of the settlement from this time can be found in the place and in the surroundings.
In 1308 the chapel of St. Saturnin de Vallon was built where the church is today. As a result of the Reformation, the community became Protestant and its followers were involved in the French religious war. In 1621 the city was besieged by the Catholic troops. In 1628, Ludwig XIII. grind down the old fortifications, raise 10,000 livres as a punishment from the city and build a new castle from the population for the Catholic rule he appointed. The city acquired the castle in 1827 and has since used it as the town hall.
In December 1994, Jean-Marie Chauvet discovered the Chauvet Cave named after him on the territory of the municipality . The oldest world-famous cave paintings and cave drawings are located in the cave . The cave is not open to the public. A reconstruction, the Caverne du Pont d'Arc , has been rebuilt for tourist purposes and is open to visitors.
Population development
| year | 1962 | 1968 | 1975 | 1982 | 1990 | 1999 | 2009 | 2017 |
| Residents | 1706 | 1831 | 1837 | 1787 | 1914 | 2027 | 2337 | 2382 |
| Sources: Cassini and INSEE | ||||||||
Economy and tourism
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc is centrally located in the Côtes du Vivarais wine-growing region, a wine-growing cooperative and several wineries market the wine directly to end customers. The market, which takes place regularly in the center of the village, offers a variety of regional products, in addition to wines, products made with lavender , vegetables and spices grown on large areas in the community , special pork sausages, especially made from wild boar, or chestnuts and honey.
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc is the central location for canoe and outdoor tourism in the region with numerous campsites and leisure activities. The GR 4F hiking trail passes Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.
