Tarn River: Source of Economy

Besides inspiring clever café names, the Tarn River has provided Ambialet with many other services throughout history.  In the Middle Ages, the area obtained much of its wealth through mining.  Lead, iron, copper, along with other precious metals, were mined in this region.  It was the Tarn River which facilitated the movement of goods and provided locals with accessibility to trade.  The powerful current of the Tarn was also harnessed as an energy source and used to drive mills.  Thus another key source of revenue for this area issued from goods made in the mills:  wheat, grain, textiles, oil, and lumber.  All of these were easily transported along the river and sold to other communities.

Tarn River

The name "Tarn" is derived from the term "Taranis," the Gallic god of thunder and of floods or torrents.  The Tarn River is 233 miles (375 km) in length and it flows through a total of four districts throughout France.  It is very windy, at one point, taking on a 3 km loop, and snaking around the village of Ambialet.  The bends of the river can be seen clearly from Le Prieuré (The Priory), which rests atop a rocky hill overlooking the village.  As mentioned in the previous blog, the land formation that was shaped by the Tarn is called a 'Presqu'île.'  There is even a “Café de la Presqu'île” located in the heart of the Ambialet.  According to legend, there has been a café on that exact spot since Roman times... but you’ll have to ask Nadine, the owner of the café, about this yourself! 
 

["L'église Saint-Gilles" in Journée du Patrimoine 2010]

["Tarn River." Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved December 06, 2010, from Encyclopedia Online:  http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/583623/Tarn-River ]