Bidon

Bidon is a commune with 212 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Ardèche. The inhabitants are called Bidonais and Bidonaises.

Geography

The municipality is situated on the high plateau of Les grass between the towns of Bourg -Saint -Andéol on the banks of the Rhone, 10 km distance, and Vallon -Pont d'Arc on the Ardeche, 15 km away. It is located in Bas Vivarais in the southeast of the département.

Bidon part of the wine -growing region Côtes du Vivarais.

History

Numerous megalithic monuments, such as the Champmerveil and menhirs, and the discovery of grave sites under the earth, already point to a settlement in ancient times

The community was until the end of the 18th century, part of Saint -Marcel d'Ardèche, and was only in 1780 finally independent. To dispute in the 19th century, the municipal forests were. The Count of Rochemaure sued the consuls, because he cut down a part of the forest and wanted to work with. The community but advocated mainly for conservation and habitat for many rare plants and animals and got to court right. The Count then drew back his suit.

Demographics

Attractions & Tourism

The community Bidon thrives on tourism. The old village is popular for its narrow streets and ancient houses made ​​of white limestone, as well as for his church from the 19th century. In the municipality there are large parts of the Ardècheschluchen which can be viewed from vantage points such as the Fort de la Madeleine, the wall remains of Le Garn and the Rock of Castelvieil. To visit the cave of Saint -Marcel d'Ardèche, although belonging to the same community, but situated on the territory of Bidon. 1228 gave Vierne de Baladun the area the lords of the place.

Among the main attractions of the municipality include the karst cave of Marzal, which can be reached by an iron staircase and numerous stalactites and stalagmites houses, which have formed in the tunnel- like spaces.

The Grotte de la Tete de Lion, is a tomb which was discovered in 1963. Its interior is decorated with golden ornaments and wall decorations, as well as images. A contemporary floor was moved a few years ago and supports the effect of ornaments.

Bidon also has several museums to offer. The Musée de l' Ardèche méridionale, illustrates the life of country people from the early Middle Ages to today. It shows and explains typical architecture, ancient means of communication, techniques of poaching, former forestry professions, ancient medicine and witchcraft. It is operated, photos, objects, exhibition models and reconstructions. The Musée de la Vie, however, shows the evolution of life on Earth, from the Big Bang to the first manifestations. These fossils are exhibited and used Diapanoramas. the house of de la Réserve naturelle des Gorges de l' Ardèche, illustrated the visitors geology, and flora and fauna of the area. A replica of the canyons and animal reconstructions are used here.

The forest of Bidon is part of the nature reserve Ardèche, which was founded in 1980, 1570 acres is large and extends over eight different municipalities.