A brief history...

Cruas abbey grew up between the Rhone and the Cevennes alongside an old roman road.Built on high ground, the fortified village was protected by the Abbey's Castle Keep.Below it, the 11th Romanesque church has a fabulous bestiary in its crypt. Prosper mérimmée had it classed a National Monument as early as 1847.Pope Urban II's visit in 1095 is commemorated by a Byzantine-style mosaic in the apse of the church. The capitals of the unique 12th monastic gallery still have their delicately carved sculptures. The Roman road subsequently became the"Great Languedoc Highway", and is now the RN86 national road.On its way to Cruas, it goes past a number of interesting historic sites.Limestone was quarried nearby both to build the village and its monuments, and for a number of building in the neighbouring towns such as Meysse, Rochemaure, Baix, Saint Vincent de Barrès, ...Chalk and cement are still made by the cement works on the edge of the town.the history of chalk extraction is evoked in one of the local Museum's galleries. the André Auclair Center for art and history also has a rare Sport Museum. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful moment relaxing in the park. Water... The Rhone was the main means of communication for over a thousand years. Today the port, with its landing stahe, has become a favourite spot for water sports as is heated swimming pool.Fishing is excellent in teh nearby lakes. The forest... The Barrès State Forest covers several hundred acres on the borders of Cruas. For this altitude and latitude it has a remarkable, very beautiful beech wood. The long distance inter-county footpath, the GR42, crosses teh municipality taking you to a vast expanse of garrigue and coniferous forest where horse riding and mountain biking are popular.The area's southern French climate make Cruas a delightful spot for a holiday. .