Chambonas

Chambonas is a commune with 643 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in Ardèche, in the Rhône -Alpes. It belongs to the community association Communauté de Communes Pays des Vans.

Geography

Chambonas lies in the valley of Chassezac between Les Vans and Les Salelles. The commune includes the hamlets Sielves and Marvignes, which are known for their ancient homes. In the north, the mountains of the Cevennes lower extend. The town borders on the neighboring municipality wards. The nearest major town is in Aubenas 31 kilometers north-easterly direction.

History

The parish was in the Middle Ages in possession of the same ruling family Chambonas and then had several owners. First took over the Malbosc, then followed La - Garde- Guérin and Lagarde - Chambonas. In the 17th century the place was Marquisat.

The church of Saint -Martin in Chambonas belonged in the Middle Ages to the diocese of Uzès. 1200 awarded the Bishop of Uzès, the parish to the abbey of Saint- Gilles.

Culture and sights

Structures

The Castle of Chambonas was built from the 12th to the 17th century. It was established in 1963 partly as a monument historique (historic monument) Classifiable and partially entered in the Register of Monuments historiques addition. What is striking is its square floor plan, flanked by four towers. The building itself is a number of large rooms and lounges are housed. The roof is decorated with glazed tiles. The castle is a baroque garden, which had been created in the 18th century by André Le Nôtre and his students.

The Romanesque church Saint -Martin was built to replace an earlier church in the 13th century. It is classified as a monument historique since 1907.

A bridge over the Chassezac was built in the late 13th century by the monks of Saint- Gilles. It is entered in the additional list of Monuments historiques since 1962, but had the basis of repeated destructions in the Huguenot wars ( 1562-1598 ) and the Second World War in 1944, to be rebuilt.

The Château de Scipionnet castle now serves as a hotel.

Museums

In pigs Museum Les Sièlves there are live pigs of different breeds to see, as well as other farm animals, rabbits, birds, rats and mice. It offers an insight into the history of the pig, art, films and objects shows around the pig, and explains the role of the pig in mythology.

Economy

The image of the community is determined by pastures and woods. Major lines of business of Chambonasais are viticulture, fruit growing and breeding of goats.