Ardoix

Ardoix is a commune with 1096 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in Ardèche, in the Rhône -Alpes. The inhabitants are called Ardoisiens and Ardoisiennes.

Geography

Ardoix located on the Plateau de Vernoux in the northern part of the department of the Rhone near 14 km south of Annonay. The municipality borders the municipalities Vernosc -lès -Annonay and Quintenas. The next largest city is Annonay is five miles northwest. The rivers Ay and Cance through the village before they further east flow into the Rhône.

History

Traces of Roman settlements have been drawing attention to an early cultivation of the territory in antiquity, even burial Carolingian origin were found in the municipality. The place name derives from the Celtic words ardu ( hill ) and ink ( rocks ).

The town was first mentioned in the 16th century, when a famine brought about the plague, on the tenth of the population died. In the 14th century the village had four locks.

Culture and sights

Ardoix consists almost entirely of ancient houses of old basalt stone. Out of them, especially the town center is built, which consists of a church, an old cemetery, a porch and fancy walls and cross representations. Maintenance work to the old town have been carried out in 1995.

Other attractions include the Château de Manoha with an ancient tower, the Château de Munas and the ruined tower of Oriol with a good view over the valleys gorges of the environment above the Ay, as well as the Château de Pestin.

Particular churches are the church of the 19th century, the oratory of Notre- Dame-des- Cormes and the Chapel of Saint -Jean of the 18th century dar.

Hikers visit the gorges of Ay, and the striking rock formations have names like Abri de la Bergère, La Chaise du Diable and La Grotte aux fées.