Nyons

Nyons ( contrary to French pronunciation rules is the "s" pronounced at the end of the name ) is a French town in the department of Drôme (26 ) in the region Rhône -Alpes. It is the capital (French: chef- lieu) of the eponymous district and capital of the canton of the same name.

Geography

The small town with 6791 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) is located approximately 52 km southeast of Montelimar and 42 km north-east of Orange in a mountain basin, mostly on the north bank of the river Eygues. Included between the low mountains Essaillon, Big Guard, Saint- Jaume and Vaux here developed a particularly mild climate, the town got its nickname " Petit Nice " (Small Nice).

History

Equating with the non- localizable Celtic city Nyrax must be regarded as pure speculation. In the Gallo- Roman period the area of Nyons the town of Vaison -la -Romaine was (Roman: Vasio ) assigned. However, it is not sure if it's that time already was a settlement there. " Niomes " is first mentioned in 972 in a deed of Nyonser churches of Saint -Vincent and Saint- Ferréol to the monastery of Saint -Césaire in Arles. This monastery owned the place for many years, until the beginning of the 13th century, the lords of Montauban gained a foothold there.

1315, the city finally came to the Dauphiné ( a French province, today Isère, Drôme, and Hautes -Alpes comprised approximately), which she belonged to the French Revolution.

Since the end of the 13th century, the city grew rapidly. It benefited from the Popes' Palace in Avignon, many Italian merchants and a large Jewish community. As the whole area also suffered from Nyons in the 16th and 17th century religious wars, since a large part of the population was Protestant.

Attractions

Nyons hosts a variety of attractions, including the Pont de Nyons ( pont roman) of 1409, a bridge that spans the river Eygues near the old town, an imposing old quarter dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries and some medieval buildings as the city gate Porte de la Pomme with the bell tower and the Château Vieux Ancien Clocher from the 16th century, limited the Old Town to the north.

Economy

Agriculture

The specialty of Nyons are its olives and olive oil pressed from. For both there since 1994, the Protected Designation of Origin Appellation d' Origine. Furthermore, wine is grown in Nyons, which comes as a Côtes du Rhône in the trade.

Crafts

In Nyons, the last Scourtin manufactory still be visited. The Scourtins are mats made from plant fibers, which originally served the extraction of olive oil; the crushed fruit mass was squeezed between these mats. As there was no demand for such filters, it has gone over to produce the same traditional way decorative pedestals and small braided rugs.

Market

Weekly on Thursdays market is in streets and squares throughout the city.

Tourism

Today, the area lives mainly from tourism. Many jobs offer the hospitality industry.

Demographics

The number of inhabitants has increased markedly in the past.

Twinning

• Manciano, Tuscany, Italy
• Mechernich, Germany
• Nyon, Switzerland
• Nules, Valencia, Spain