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BETWEEN CEZE AND ARDECHE RIVERS
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Barjac |
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Click to visit town,
village or monument ::
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| Administrative center of the canton |
| Population :: |
1401 |
| Market :: |
Friday |
| Town festival :: |
3rd weekend of July |
| Town hall :: |
04 66 24 50 09 |
www.mairiedebarjac.com |
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Barjac, a Renaissance town.
Situated between the Cèze River gorges and the Ardèche, Barjac
has a great view of the Cévennes mountains. Its central location is an
excellent starting point for hikes in the Ronze forest, which contains extraordinary
Neolithic relics. The "Tuscan" landscape, tended by enterprising farmers,
lies next to the wild garrigues which are just barely accessible to hunters,
hikers, and cave explorers.
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| shops |
This town has a high standard of living, due in part to medical
and commercial services that are worthy of any large city. It hosts an international
antiques fair during Easter and on August 15. |
| heritage |
Barjac is a Renaissance town. In the old town center, you
can see examples of its local heritage -- alleyways, squares, and houses
-- which have been renovated under the close supervision of the architects
of the "Bâtiments de France." The castle of the Comtes du
Roure, whose courtyard contains a keep made of cut stones, was once called
the "Citadelle." This beautiful edifice has been altered several
times since the 12th century. Its stables were recently converted into a
library, and its kitchen is now a screening room. Under the impetus of the
local government, the castle has become a culturally important place, particularly
during the festival of "Chansons et Paroles" (Songs and Words)
that takes place every year at the end of July. |
| history |
The sanctuary called the Cave of Chauvet, 10 kilometers away,
is evidence that the site has been densely populated since the year 30,000
B.C. The number of dolmens, fifteen, proves that in 3500 B.C. human inhabitants
were still present.
In prehistoric times, the population of Barjac was very large. At the edge of
the Ronze Forest, as early as the 5th century B.C., there was a roadside station
linked to the development of trade between Marseille, the Loire, and Auvergne.
The territory was traversed by the Roman road that led from Nîmes to Alba,
known as the road of Antoninus Pius.
In the 11th century, the residents of Barjac were the first to rule the town.
Louis XIII was received there on June 5, 1629, a few days before signing the
Peace of Alais.
Barjac later belonged to the Barjac family, then to the Grimoard du Roure family.
These lords were members of the Estates of Languedoc.
Barjac had an important silk manufacturing center in the 18th century. Five mills
were in operation.
The fairs of Barjac have always played a major role in the life of the community.
Their origin goes back to the royal decrees of François 1er and Louis
XIV. |
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Cevennes foothills
Tave river valley
In the Cotes du Rhone
Around Uzes
Near the Pont du Gard
Across the bridge from Avignon