- Heritage
- In the town
Vallon de Tourne and the Mithras bas-relief
Two springs at the foot of a rock, a wash house and a Roman bas-relief of the god Mithras carved into the rock face: a small valley south of the old town.
What to see, what to know
South of the old town, the Vallon de Tourne is a cool, fresh corner. Two resurgent springs emerge from the rock here: the Goul de la Tannerie, or small goul, and the Goul du Pont, or large goul. Their water feeds a wash house at the entrance to the site.
Between the two springs, look at the rock face. A bas-relief shows the god Mithras sacrificing the bull, surrounded by the dog, the snake, the scorpion and the raven. Dating from the 3rd century, it formed the back wall of a temple. It is the only known relief of Mithras in France carved directly into the rock. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1927.
The gouls are also well known to cave divers, who explore a very deep flooded network here. The visit is a walk, in the open air.
Before or after your visit, stop off in Bourg-Saint-Andéol
All shops- Where to eatRestaurants, bakeries, pastry shops, butchers and grocers in the town.Restaurants and food shops
- Where to stayHotel or guest rooms: shop owners in the town can put you up.The places that offer rooms
- What to take homeOlive oil from the mill, wines bought at the estate, products from local producers and sweet treats.The local produce
Also worth seeing, close by
All the places to explore
HeritageSaint-Andéol Church
A large Romanesque church consecrated in 1119. Its bell tower rises above the town's rooftops and it houses the sarcophagus of Saint Andéol.
ActivityRhône Quays and ViaRhôna
The Rhône at the foot of the old town: a stroll along the quays and a stop on the ViaRhôna, the cycle route from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean.
HeritageBishops' Palace
Once the residence of the bishops of Viviers, this listed palace overlooks the Rhône and still has its 17th-century painted decoration.