Soyons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Soyons
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 Soyons
Location in France
Soyons
Location in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
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| Country | France |
| Region | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes |
| Department | Ardèche |
| Arrondissement | Tournon-sur-Rhône |
| Canton | Saint-Péray |
| Area
1
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7.9 km2 (3.1 sq mi) |
| Population
(2005)
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1,936 |
| • Density | 245.1/km2 (635/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code |
07316 /07130
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| Elevation | 104–280 m (341–919 ft) (avg. 107 m or 351 ft) |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
Soyons is a small town, also called a commune, located in the Ardèche area of southern France. People have lived in this special place for an amazing 150,000 years! This makes Soyons one of the oldest places in France where humans have continuously lived.
Because Soyons is right next to the Rhône River and was a meeting point for old travel routes, it has been very important throughout French history.
Contents
A Look Back in Time: Soyons' History
Ancient Life in the Caves
Long, long ago, during the Paleolithic (Stone Age) period, Neanderthal people found safe homes in the caves of Greenhouse Guercy. These caves were cozy shelters for humans, but also for large meat-eating animals like lions, hyenas, and cave bears. Sometimes humans lived there, and sometimes the animals did!
Scientists have also found two outdoor areas where Cro-Magnon Neanderthal people used to cut up mammoths.
Early Farmers and Burials
Later, different groups of Neolithic (New Stone Age) people lived in Soyons. During the Chalcolithic period, people buried their dead in special burial caves, like Grotte des Enfants and Hole Roland. They also buried people under mounds of earth, such as the one at Greenhouse Aurouze.
The Gallic Town
Before the Romans arrived, a Gallic town called an oppidum was built in Soyons. This town was protected by a fort and was located on the Malpas hill and along the Rhone River, at a place called Brégoule. This was the home of the Segovellaunes tribe, who honored a goddess named Soïo. The village of Soyons actually got its name from her!
Roman and Medieval Times
When the Romans came, they built their own town right where the village of Soyons is today.
During the Middle Ages, Soyons became a very important place, almost like a small kingdom. It had a royal abbey (a type of monastery) and a church built during the Carolingian period. The village and the high flat land (called a plateau) were surrounded by strong walls with towers. The famous Leaning Tower is actually what's left of one of these old fort towers.
Sadly, during the wars of religion, Soyons was attacked and destroyed many times.
See also
In Spanish: Soyons para niños
