Historic Center of Tournon sur Rhone

About

Behind the impressive castle on its granite rock, seigneurial home of the Comtes de Tournon, is a maze of narrow streets meandering through the historic center. Since the Early Middle Ages to the 18th century the Tournons have left a great cultural heritage thanks to different monuments such as the Chateau de Tournon (see on page 7 “Our favourite attractions”) but also the Collegiate Church Saint Julien built in the 14th century with its magnificent frescoes in the Chapelle des Penitents. The town is then strongly fortified during the Hundred Years’ War, but it will expand beyond the wall after it quickly became prosperous again. In the south, the Porte de Mauves can be admired, the last stable door which once closed the town (there used to be 4) and where the coat of arms of the town is still to be seen. 2 watchtowers are left in the north and the south of the Sentier des Tours, a marked walking path which used to go along the wall in the 16th century. It is also a nice one-hour walk.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes