We had a morning visit to the town of Tournon sur Rhone. Another smallish town in what has been a depressed area but is now enjoying some restoration and economic growth thanks largely to tourism.
The dominant, prison-like building as you look across the river is a public high school, the second oldest in France, which was originally a Jesuit university.
The town has the usual history of fighting between Catholics and Protestants and became wealthy in the 1500s – 1600s through the rise of the Tournon family, which amassed power and influence in the Catholic Church.
That later resulted in a lack of males to continue the family line and its wealth was distributed following legal action from beneficiaries. The castle/home then became a prison. It’s now a museum.
Saturday is market day. The French enjoy loads of freshly grown local produce. There was everything fro live chickens to cheeses, olives, meat, bread and even ice-cream.
The shops and streets are lovely.
On the other side of the river is the town of Tain l’Hermitage which serves the vineyards of l’Hermitage appellation.
Excellent evening of jazz and dancing after dinner.
