The Medieval Town of Viviers.

Viviers was one of the stops on the ‘Tour de France des Vieux Hommes’  that was completed in the first part of June.  As previously mentioned, David and the rest of the biking group loved the auberge in Viviers, so he made reservations there for a weekend with Anna.





Viviers is a small town in the Ardeche Department, on the banks of the Rhone, with a population of about 3800 people. The town dates from Roman times, and is the seat of the local catholic bishop.  As such, the town has a cathedral, the smallest in France, very well-preserved because the bishop at the time of the French Revolution quickly accepted the new government.  Several Gobelin tapestries hang on the interior walls of the cathedral, a gift of Napoleon III when he visited the town after the coup of 1848.

Outside of Cathedral showing Flying Butresses

Typical Street in the Old Town

Note Tapestries below Stained Glass in Cathedral

Looking out Through City Gate - St Michaels Tower on Right

Tower that is Remnant of old Fortifications - Cathedral to Left

The town’s name describes its status as a supply and victualing center for the Roman town of Alba-la-Romaine a few miles away.  The town served also as a fortified city with a walled castle, since destroyed,  built on top of a cliff that dominates the town.  About a quarter mile from the auberge, a 3^rd-century stone Roman bridge, still in use, spans the small Viviers River.   [See earlier posting about Anna's BIG birthday.]

We spent parts of two days exploring the town and its monuments, including the spectacular view from the site of the old fortifications.

Quite the View!

Both days we had lunch in this square.

Square in the Lower part of Town