Salavas

Salavas is a commune with 579 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in Ardèche, in the Rhône -Alpes.

Geography

Salavas is located on the right bank of the Ardèche across from Vallon -Pont d'Arc with the famous Pont d'Arc natural arch. In the field of community begin the Gorges de l' Ardèche.

History

On the colonization of the area in prehistoric times indicate dolmens and bronze objects that were found in the area. In Gallo-Roman period and the Middle Ages consisted in the field, a settlement called La Gleyzasse, the remains of the 11th century are protected as Inscrit Monument Historique.

The land was eventually sold to the APCHIER family from which the famous in the region Merle, Baron of La Gorce and Salavas emerged.

Even before the construction of the first Ardèchebrücke combined a ferry the two river banks together.

Buildings and monuments

The place is dominated by old houses that form an architectural unit, and of old streets around the Ruinien the medieval château. Besides the parish church Salavas has the Romanesque chapel and the Huguenot temple on two other religious buildings.

Among the modern buildings of the municipality has a weir on the Ardèche. In 1988 was established here under the bridge to Vallon -Pont d'Arc, an artificial canoeing and kayaking course that uses the gradient from the dam to the lower neighborhood of Frankfurt riverbed.

Economy

In earlier times, the area was mining from the caves and grottoes operated. Today, agriculture and tourism dominate. In addition to wine and fruit growing, Serviced is powered by goats and sheep.