Saint-Pons, Ardèche

Saint -Pons is a commune with 272 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in Ardèche, in the Rhône -Alpes. It belongs to the canton of Villeneuve -de-Berg and the Local Government Association, Berg et Coiron.

Geography

Saint -Pons is located on the southern slope of the Plateau du Coiron, 14 kilometers north- west of Montelimar and 15 kilometers southeast of Aubenas between Saint -Jean -le- Centenier in the west and Sceautres in the Northeast. The Escoutay flows through the municipal area. The hamlet of La Rochechérie belongs to Saint -Pons.

History

In 1060 Saint -Pons was mentioned as Sanctus Pontii for the first time in a document. Pons ( Ponce, Pontius ) was a martyr who lived in the 3rd century, evangelizing in the Alpes -de -Haute -Provence. In the Middle Ages Saint -Pons belonged to the barony of Alba -la -Romaine, which was called after the name of the barons Aps. The barons of Aps shared the dominion over the place with the abbots of Pébrac. To place an approximately square fortification wall was drawn, each had a tower on each side of a gate and to the northern corners. Remains of the towers have been preserved.

Attractions

The Chapel de Roche chérie in the hamlet of La Rochechérie was built on the slope of a volcanic rock ( Neck). It is in poor condition and is being restored.

Economy

Major lines of business in Saint -Pons are timber industry, farming, breeding of domestic animals of bovine, ovine, poultry and honey bees.