Vallon-Pont-d'Arc
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The Pont d'Arc
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 Vallon-Pont-d'Arc
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Location within Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc
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| Coordinates: 44°24′28″N 4°23′40″E / 44.4078°N 4.3944°ECoordinates: 44°24′28″N 4°23′40″E / 44.4078°N 4.3944°E | ||
| Country | France | |
| Region | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | |
| Department | Ardèche | |
| Arrondissement | Largentière | |
| Canton | Vallon-Pont-d'Arc | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor (2008–2014) | Claude Benahmed | |
| Area1 | 28.62 km2 (11.05 sq mi) | |
| Population (2012)2 | 2,343 | |
| • Density | 82/km2 (210/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 07330 /07150 | |
| Elevation | 60–434 m (197–1,424 ft) (avg. 118 m or 387 ft) |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc (occitan: Valon) is a commune in the Ardèche department in southern France.
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc is a capital of prehistoric and cultural tourism. This small village, peaceful in wintertime, sees its population expand ten-fold in summer. Its tourist importance largely comes from the fact that it is the departure point for the river descent of the Gorges de l'Ardèche (from Pont d'Arc to Saint-Martin-d'Ardeche).
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc is situated at the threshold of one of the most beautiful tourist sites of France: "les gorges de l'Ardèche" (the Ardèche canyon). The famous Pont d'Arc, a natural arch of more than 30 metres height, carved out by the Ardèche and classified as a Great Site of France, gave it its name.
1.8 km (1.1 mi) southeast of the village, the River Ibie flows into the Ardèche, which forms all of the commune's southwestern border.
The village is very lively, especially in summer, with in its centre numerous shops and a market on Thursday and on Tuesday evening, which is known for its large success. Every summer, many events are organized: the lavender feast and the olive feast, prehistoric days with expositions, ateliers, conferences and presentations lasting for over a week after August 15.
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Wikipedia