Vienne, Isère
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Before the arrival of the Roman armies, Vienne was the capital city of the Allobroges, a Gaul people. Transformed in a Roman colony in 47 BC under Julius Caesar, Vienne became a major urban center, ideally located along the Rhône river, then a major axis of communication. The town later became a Roman provincial capital. Numerous remains of Roman constructions are still visible in modern Vienne. The town was also an important early bishopric in Christian Gaul. Its most famous bishop was Avitus of Vienne. At the Council of Vienne, convened there in October 1311, Pope Clement V abolished the order of the Knights Templar. During the middle ages, Vienne was part of the kingdom of Provence, dependent on the Holy Roman Empire, while the opposite bank of the Rhône was French territory thus making it a strategic position.
Today, the town is a regional commercial and industrial center specialised in food industry. Tourism is also a major part of the town's economy. Indeed, the important number and diversity of its historical monuments but also its annual jazz festival (July) makes it a popular tourist destination.
