| Saint-Triphon
Seen just passing by, either by train or by motorway, the hill of St-Triphon, standing alone in the middle of the Rhone plain, is not at all engaging: one can make out a quarry which disfigures it on the south side. But those who are curious enough to go to the village will discover a hidden jewel, a lush corner of paradise... As you approach the hill, bounded on all sides by steep rock walls, you can make out on the ridge the remains of a vast fortified work. To tell the truth, there have never been any systematic excavations and there is not much to see: the remains of the old access gate, the ruins of a tower and a Romanesque chapel. Curiously, this keep has as its only opening a door on the first floor, tiny Romanesque windows and a drainage channel for the latrine. But these ruins stand in an unspoilt natural setting, a veritable jungle, with clearings that invite picnicking and spectacular views of the Rhone Plain and the surrounding mountains. It is not a place to leave children unsupervised: just behind the church, a solitary bench invites you to daydream 50cm from the cliff, without any barrier or protection of any kind... Vertiginous! The highlight of the visit, on the other side of the hill, is the botanical garden, where a mystical old hermit reigns over 14000 m2 of plant paradise... William Aviolat created this marvellous garden in 1972 and since then he has lived there and maintained it throughout the year. More than 4000 species of plants can be admired there and access is totally free as it was created in a pure spirit of sharing. At the bend in the path, you will undoubtedly come across a little man who is very busy. It is Mr. Aviolat, the magician of the place, and he will be happy to show you the most secret places of his little paradise, in all simplicity... |
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