Lalouvesc - Tournon sur Rhône difficult

8 points of interest

• 

  Saint Régis in Lalouvesc

  Reviving catholic faith in people from the hilly regions of Vivarais, Velay and Cevennes was the mission given to Saint Jean François Régis ! Ordained as a priest in 1630 and a missionary in 1632, this tireless walker used to cover 40 to 60 kilometres of ground every day. On 23rd December 1640, in a snowstorm, he left for what was to be his last mission in the North of the Vivarais region. He fell ill on the way and in spite of his high fever, he continued to pray and hear confession up to his last breath. On 31st December 1640 « God’s pilgrim » died in Lalouvesc at the age of 43. He received beatification in 1716 from the Pope Clément Xl and was canonized later on in 1737. Following that, Lalouvesc became a place of pilgrimage and a basilica was built in his name. Its building took 12 years to finish. The Basilica has two belltowers taken from two old churches. The final basilica was consecrated on 5th August 1877 by cardinal Guibert who was archbishop of Paris. The religious building houses relicas of the Saint and the stained glass windows present a visual review of his life. On the occasion of big events the tenor bell rings and can be heard for kilometres around. Information source : Topoguide "Le Chemin de Saint Régis" du Puy en Velay à Lalouvesc

  More information
• 

  Small patrimony

  The cross of Montplot

  Joannès Dufaud (parlarem en Vivarés edition 2004) describes it as a mountain of timber and wood stumps or quite simply a mountain where trees are logged and cut into ¾-metre lengths as in a wood yard. We can in fact observe here, that the way of working hasn’t changed much over the years. Information source : Ardèche Sports Nature.

  More information
• 

  Small patrimony

  The terraces

  In this area "Chalets" is the word used to describe terraces on slopes making them useable for various cultures. Most of the terraces were built in XVlllth and XlXth centuries. At that time, the population, 90% of which were farmers, was on an increase. Always looking for land to cultivate, quite simply to survive, the latter were forced to use the steep slopes. Vine growing was also on an increase during that same period and necessitated arable land. Building terraces was the answer; increasing surfaces for growing and at the same time making the slopes easier to use, enabling water retention and controlling it, keeping the soil from erosion and restoring the heat absorbed by the rock-stone during the day. Little by little the use of these "chalets" was abandoned due to various plant diseases at the end of the XlXth century, particularly Mildew and Phylloxera that destroyed whole vineyards and crippled farming. However, rural depopulation, the number of lives lost during the first World War and the mechanization of farming down in the lower plains were the main reasons for terraces being abandoned. As you stroll along you will discover a landscape shaped by these « farmer builders”. Here, amongst this stone architecture, traces are particularly visible, making it easy to imagine the magnitude of the task.

  More information
• 

  Panorama

  Viewing point

  Occasional view of the Doux gorges and a few old terraces some of them which are still looked after today

  More information
• 

  Flora

  The Doux Gorges

  The path finds its narrow way through dug out rocks downstream from the village of Boucieu le Roi. Very often it runs directly upon the rock along the narrow river gorges between sheer cliffs. Some parts can only be accessed via the train running along the valley floor. The arid character of these rocky surfaces, linked with the climate of the Rhône Valley, make for a strong mediterranean influence concerning the fauna and flora in the area. Green and white bark oaks, along with broom bush and heather moors now cover the steep slopes in places where, in time gone by, animals used to graze or they were used for various cultures. Amongst the fauna living in this rocky climate are different reptiles : the green and yellow grass snake is very common, the endemic southern smooth snake along with wall lizards Some crags are ideal nesting places for the very rare eagle owl. Information source : SIVU Doux Clair, Conservatoire Rhône Alpes des Espaces Naurels, la Vallée du Doux, un voyage aux multiples ambiances, Natural Heritage guide of the Rhône Alpes region, 1995.

  More information
• 

  Hydroelectric plant of Mordane

  During the first world war the French government decided to considerably increase the production of electric energy. A new water impoundment was built in order to supply a hydroelectric plant situated downstream from the existing site of Mordane. In order to link the two structures together a company « Société des Forces Motrices du Vercors » led the project of building a 2-kilometre long canal along the river Doux gorges between 1917 and 1920. Part of the work was done by German war prisoners giving it its name « canal of the Germans » It was taken over by the EDF company in 1946 and is still working today with an average yearly production of 11GWh.

  More information
• 

  Grand Pont

  The building of this majestic bridge called the « Grand Pont », began around year 1380. Its construction was by no means easy ; the scaffolding was regularly carried away by floods of the river Doux lower down which is one of the reasons why a semi-arched architecture was chosen. Classified amongst historical monuments in 1954 the bridge has become part of everyday life for the local people who show a certain devotion towards it.

  More information
• 

  Flora

  The riperian woodland

  As you stroll along the river Doux perhaps you will notice the forest fringe, occasionally just a row of single trees, covering the best part of the banks. Its name in French is "la ripisylve" or in English « Riparian woodland”. It holds an important role for the river ecologically speaking. The tiny aquatic fauna find their food there, it helps fish to hide from predators amongst the roots and it also supports the river banks and avoids erosion of the latter. In addition, it hems in polluting elements such as nitrates and regulates brightness. Its regular maintenance benefits most kinds of fish. Alder, willow, ash and poplar trees are the most common trees to be found there. The black locust similar to an acacia and the Japanese knotweed are, for their part, not welcome and are increasingly taking over the banks impoverishing this original ecosystem. Information source : SIVU Doux Clair, Conservatoire Rhône Alpes des Espaces Naturels, La Vallée du Doux, un voyage aux multiples ambiances, Guide du patrimoine naturel de la région Rhône Alpes, 1995. Available in the tourist offices of the Doux Valley.

  More information