Givors, France

Welcome to Givors, a quaint commune located in the Metropolis of Lyon in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of eastern France. Situated at the confluence of the Rhone and the Gier, this charming city lies just 25 km (16 mi) south of Lyon and serves as a crossroads between the communities of the Rhône and those of the Loire. It lies between the Monts du Lyonnais to the north and west and the foothills of Mont Pilat to the south and west, making it an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Givors is also a northern gateway to the Pilat Regional Natural Park, offering visitors an array of outdoor activities ranging from hiking and cycling to bird-watching and picnicking.

History buffs will delight in the fascinating past of Givors, which dates back to Roman times. Before the Romans, the Segusiavi tribe occupied the territory where the present city of Givors is found. The fishing community lay on the Roman Via Aquitania, and the Tour de Varissan was a Roman post of some importance. In fact, in 1032, the province came under the rule of the Holy Roman Emperor and was German until 1157, when Frederick Barbarossa officially recognized that the province belonged to the Kingdom of France. The city came into the possession of the Archbishop of Lyon in the 12th century, who was both temporal and spiritual leader of the region. The Castle of Saint Gerald was the residence of the canons representing the archbishop in Givors until it was destroyed in 1591 when Givors was stormed by the troops of Lesdiguières. Today, the ruins of the castle of Saint-Gerald may still be detected.

Givors became a thriving industrial town in the 18th century, with coal mining and glass making being the primary industries. In fact, Givors became well known as a glass making center during the later part of the 18th century. Today, there is little industry in Givors, which has become a dormitory town for Lyon.

Despite its industrial past, Givors is also known for its vibrant Algerian community, with a significant proportion of the population being of Algerian descent. This includes Algerian international footballers Khaled Lemmouchia and Karim Kerkar, judoka Djamel Bouras, who won a gold medal in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, and professional footballer Salim Kerkar.

Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or culture, Givors has something to offer everyone. So why not book your trip today and discover this hidden gem for yourself?