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SALLÈLLES D’AUDE |
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| AMPHORALIS at SALLELES D’AUDE Musée des Potiers One of the largest sites in Europe, certainly the largest in France. It was near here (Narbonne) shortly before the birth of Christ that the Romans established their provincial capital, and in Sallèlles that the clay necessary for the production of the amphorae, so essential for transporting the wine that was the region’s new industry. This industry continued for three centuries, the larger kilns were capable of firing up to a thousand amphorae at a time, the process took several days. |
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A dozen kilns have been discovered on the site, which covers a very large area, complete with living areas and the quarry. Each year
around the middle of August a reproduction of one of the original Roman updraught kilns is constructed to fire hand made pots. The museum which now stands
above a section of the site is magnificent, and well worth a visit. For more details about the museum you can contact them on
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| The village of Sallèlles d’Aude has many other features worth a visit, the museum of old Sallèlles, where they have a collection of more than a thousand hand tools from bygone ages, the old château, with superb Renaissance decorations. The village straddles the Canal du Jonction, the canal which joins the historic Canal du Midi to Narbonne. |
| The chapel of St.Roch, near the village centre was built in 1694, in memory of the miracles performed by this Saint. Nearby, the footbridge that crosses the canal, was designed by Gustav Eifel, of the tower in Paris fame. |
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| In the village you will find shops, restaurants, doctor, dentist, all the things you might need whilst holidaying in the area. There are
several guest houses and bars, and lots of interesting things to do. There is even a tourist train from Narbonne, which pauses here on it’s way to Bize Minervois, the tour is run by enthusiatic volunteers, and there is a commentary. The train stops at many places of interest. | |
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Copyright : © 2003-2005, Sysnix Consultants Ltd - All rights reserved.
Revised -- October 13, 2005
URL: http://www.computours.net/pottery/