Pont-Saint-Esprit
Pont -Saint -Esprit is a commune in the Gard department with 10,640 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011 ). It is the seat of the administration of the canton of the same.
Location
The village lies on the right bank of the Rhone. In the northern area, the local Ardèche flows into the Rhône. The nearest larger towns are Bollène (9 km east ), Pierre Latte ( 15 km north ) and Bagnols -sur -Cèze (11 miles south ). Pont -Saint -Esprit is located in the extreme north-east of the department of Gard. The distance to the capital Nîmes is around 60 kilometers. After Avignon ( Vaucluse ) is some 45 kilometers. Due to its location close to the approximately 30 kilometer Ardèche Gorge ( Gorges de l' Ardèche, the near- Saint -Martin d'Ardèche border ) and the cave Orgnac the place is now marked also touristy.
The vineyards of the village lying in the wine region of the southern Rhone Valley. The wines may be marketed under the appellations of Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages stricter quality.
History
The town was founded in the 5th century. In the years 1265-1309 the bridge over the Rhone was built, then the small port of Saint- Saturnin- du- Port has been renamed and the village on the border between the provinces of Languedoc and Provence became important.
Mass poisoning
Under the name of l' affaire du ' pain maudit ' (about: "affair of the cursed bread" ) is a mass poisoning known that occurred in Pont -Saint -Esprit in August 1951. The cause was contaminated bread a local bakery, which caused nausea and vomiting in addition to psychotic symptoms. 7 people have died and 50 were admitted to psychiatric hospitals, another 250 people suffered from more or less severe symptoms of poisoning. The inhabitants of the city panicked, and there were long-lasting and far-reaching speculations about the origin of the substance.
Because of the partially hallucinatory symptoms was by local health authorities to ergot poisoning ( ergotism ) suspected, but could not be confirmed. Other hypotheses made , a mercury compound, which was used for the disinfection of cereals, and poisoning by mycotoxins responsible. To date, the cause of mass poisoning is considered unexplained. In his book, " The Day of St. Anthony 's Fire ( German: Apocalypse 51) " of 1968, the journalist John G. Fuller meticulously describes the incidents involving these frightening tragedy and its consequences.
In a 2008 book by HP Albarelli this makes the assertion that there had been a field trial of the CIA, in which the effects of LSD and its use should be tested as a weapon. Residents and connoisseurs of the case consider this idea but for " the far-fetched ".
Attractions
See also: List of medieval bridges in France
- The most important attraction of the place is the bridge over the Rhone, built from 1265 to 1309. The bridge is 919 meters long and consists of 25 arches.
- Also worth seeing is the historical center with the churches of Saint -Saturnin from the 15th century priory and Le Saint- Pierre from the 12th/13th. Century as well as the Citadel La Citadelle et la Collegiate Church from the 14th century.
- Maison des Chevaliers of the formerly noble family of Piolenc - - In the Old Town, the House of Nobility was the ( non-denominational independent ) museum of sacred art of the department of Gard, Musée d' Art Sacré ( exhibitions).
- The Saturday market on the broad avenues on the edge of the old town is particularly lively during the whole year.