The Rhone, a natural border, has always favored the settlement of humans on its banks. Along its 812 km, it connects the Swiss glaciers to the Mediterranean Sea, crossing varied landscapes. A source of inspiration for poets and writers, including Frédéric Mistral who wrote the famous Poem of the Rhone, it is not a long quiet river but Men will succeed in taming it despite the floods and spectacular floods. A story to discover until November 3, at Fort Saint-André.
From the Middle Ages onwards, it was a means of exchange from one territory to another, between the Mediterranean world and the regions of northern Europe, opening up vast horizons to the pontoons, markets and fairs of each small town located on its outskirts.
The increasing transport of goods will lead to the development of strategic trading centres such as Lyon and Beaucaire. Between Avignon and Villeneuve, commercial exchanges will be organised and salt, a precious commodity, will be coveted by smugglers. On the right bank, it is at the origin of the creation of Fort Saint-André in the 14th century built on Mount Andaon, at the foot of which it then flowed.
The river supported a hundred households during the Revolution
Faced with its founding myths born from beliefs and legends (the Tarasque and other dragons), the boatmen, driven by religious fervor, displayed passion crosses on the bow of their boats to protect it. At the start of the French Revolution, around a hundred Villeneuvois households lived off river activities, silkworm spinning mills, brandy factories, commerce, transport.
To exploit the power of the river, boat mills were built on its banks to grind cereals and press grapes and olives. They no longer exist today but the Vieux-Moulin district has kept its name from that era. The Saint-Bénézet bridge, the shaped spaces of the Piot and Barthelasse islands, the traces of the anger of the impetuous and indomitable river, the developments of the Compagnie nationale du Rhône are part of the collective memory.
Throughout the tour, find panels, audiovisual devices, models to manipulate and even games. The exhibition, rich in exceptional iconography and harmonious scenography, is a walk to discover this familiar but formidable river.
Exhibition at Fort Saint-André, until November 3, every day until September 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., from October 1 to November 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Price included in the entrance fee. Information on 04 90 25 45 35 or on www.monuments-nationaux.fr
