Sommières, 2000 ans d’Histoire...
The presence of Vidourle coastal river, and the possibility of a passage to the region of the Causses (ford), have since the earliest times attracted the man who moved to this location. Discoveries upstream of the valley (caves, prehistoric flint cutting plants) suggests that humans lived on this site for several millennia ...
In the first century AD, Emperor Tiberius built the bridge of 22 arches and 189 feet long to allow the passage of the Roman road from Nimes and heading to Toulouse and Lodeve. The actual origins of the city are closely related to that of the house Bermand Anduze and Sauve. Sommières appears, indeed, in our history of the south,it its present on location. In the eleventh century, as Lord Bernard Anduze III. In 1041, an act was drafted and signed by him in his castle at Sommières. This castle was built on the rocky outcrop overlooking the ancient Roman road and Vidourle, probably towards the end of the tenth century or at the beginning of the XI. There remain a stately square tower and a large part of the walls ...
The last battle dates back to 1703. Jean Cavalier, a leader of the Camisards, head of 800 men, made a foray into the outshirts of Sommieres, he then retrented without being able to enter. After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, the castle was transformed into a prison and then were locked up there in turn, Protestant, captured soldiers, sailors, English or Dutch, political prisoners, convicts and even "whores". After the revolutionary upheaval, the castle was abandoned. Its ruins testify to its strategic importance over the centuries. The tower "Patrimoine Communal" was recently restored and can be visited.
The Tourist Office organizes Sommières since 2008 very original tours that trace the history of Sommieres.
The story of the guide through a circuit in the streets of the city is punctuated by eruptions of curious characters who seem to spring from the past and lead you into the wild imaginings very nice and give even more attractive and attention to visit ..
04.66.80.99.30 Cie la Puce qui Renifle
Office du Tourisme
28/01/2011
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