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Nyons

Niòns  (Occitan)
A general view of Nyons
A general view of Nyons
Coat of arms of Nyons
Coat of arms
Nyons is located in France
Nyons
Nyons
Location in France
Nyons is located in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Nyons
Nyons
Location in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Country France
Region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Department Drôme
Arrondissement Nyons
Canton Nyons et Baronnies
Intercommunality CC des Baronnies en Drôme provençale
Area
1
23.45 km2 (9.05 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)
6,771
 • Density 288.74/km2 (747.84/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Nyonsais
Time zone UTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
26220 /26110
Elevation 234–940 m (768–3,084 ft)
(avg. 270 m or 890 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Nyons (French pronunciation: [njɔ̃s]; Occitan: Niòns) is a charming town in southeastern France. It is located in the Drôme department, which is part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. In 2021, about 6,771 people lived there. Nyons is known for its special climate and delicious olives. It also serves as a subprefecture, which means it's an important administrative center.

History of Nyons

160925-Nyons-02
A Roman bridge near Nyons

Nyons has a very long history! It was first settled around 600 BC. An ancient group of people called the Gauls founded a settlement here named Nyrax. A Greek writer named Hecataeus of Miletus mentioned Nyrax around 500 BC. He wrote about the Celts, which is another name for these ancient tribes.

The town is built next to the Aigues river. An old bridge, built a long time ago, crosses this river.

Nyons' Special Climate and Products

Nyons has a very mild and pleasant climate. This is called a "microclimate" because it's a small area with different weather than the surrounding region. This climate is good for people with breathing problems. There is even a special clinic in Nyons for this.

The town is famous for its olives. These olives have a special status called PDO. This means they are grown and processed in a specific way in Nyons. This ensures their unique quality and taste.

Nyons is an important town for the area. It has two collèges (middle schools) and a lycée (high school). It also has many shops and places for tourists to visit. Several nearby villages, like Les Pilles and Aubres, rely on Nyons for services.

Geography of Nyons

Nyons is located close to the border of the Vaucluse department. It is about 70 kilometers (43 miles) south of Valence. Valence is the main city of the Drôme department.

The town is also about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of Montélimar. It is 45 kilometers (28 miles) northeast of Orange. And it's about 70 kilometers (43 miles) north of Avignon. Avignon is the main city of the Vaucluse department.

Map commune FR insee code 26220
A map showing the location of Nyons commune.

Population Growth in Nyons

The number of people living in Nyons has changed over many years. This section shows how the population has grown or shrunk. The data comes from official records.

Historical population
Year Pop. ±% p.a.
1793 2,700 —    
1800 2,724 +0.13%
1806 2,744 +0.12%
1821 3,040 +0.69%
1831 3,397 +1.12%
1836 3,208 −1.14%
1841 3,251 +0.27%
1846 3,450 +1.20%
1851 3,590 +0.80%
1856 3,633 +0.24%
1861 3,653 +0.11%
1866 3,611 −0.23%
1872 3,623 +0.06%
1876 3,579 −0.31%
1881 3,222 −2.08%
1886 3,534 +1.87%
1891 3,349 −1.07%
1896 3,611 +1.52%
1901 3,638 +0.15%
Year Pop. ±% p.a.
1906 3,514 −0.69%
1911 3,507 −0.04%
1921 3,150 −1.07%
1926 3,157 +0.04%
1931 3,246 +0.56%
1936 3,500 +1.52%
1946 3,576 +0.22%
1954 3,637 +0.21%
1962 4,270 +2.03%
1968 4,982 +2.60%
1975 5,607 +1.70%
1982 6,061 +1.12%
1990 6,353 +0.59%
1999 6,723 +0.63%
2007 7,109 +0.70%
2012 6,632 −1.38%
2017 6,793 +0.48%
2020 6,737 −0.28%
Source: EHESS and INSEE (1968-2020)

Places to Visit in Nyons

Nyons has some interesting places to see:

  • Jardin des Arômes: This is a garden where you can find many different plants and learn about their smells.
  • Nyons Bridge: An old, historic bridge that crosses the Aigues river.

Nyons' International Connections

Nyons is "twinned" with several towns in other countries. This means they have a special friendship and cultural exchange.

Famous People from Nyons

Many notable people have connections to Nyons:

  • Philis de La Charce (1645-1703): A French war hero. She was known for her bravery in the Dauphiné region during a war in the late 1600s.
  • Joseph Roumanille (1818-1891): A poet who wrote in the Provençal language. He lived in Nyons for a short time.
  • Clair Tisseur (1827-1896): A French architect who designed famous churches. He was also a historian, writer, and journalist.
  • Adrien Bertrand (1888-1917): A novelist known for his anti-war books. He won a famous French literary prize called the Prix Goncourt.
  • René Barjavel (1911-1985): A well-known author, journalist, and critic. He is most famous for his science fiction novels.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Nyons para niños

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