Aubenas
Encyclopedia
Aubenas is a commune in the southern part of the Ardèche
department in the Rhône Valley
in southern France
.
It is the seat of several government offices. The surrounding countryside, which is mountainous and rugged; is popular for vacation homes.
The Ardèche River
flows through the commune.
Aubenas is part of the "Pays d'Aubenas-Vals", composed of 10 towns and villages including Vals-les-Bains
, for approximately 23,000 people.
Aside from a long-year commercial activity, Aubenas has a good strategic position on the touristic field, at crossroads of a regional natural park, the zone of the Ardèche river canyon, and the start of mountains.
The chestnut
industry is one testimony of the intense agricultural activity earlier in time.
Due to the long distance from a water source, the city was known informally as the city without water until the 19th century, when on 28 June 1863, under the leadership of the then Mayor John Mathon, water was pumped from an external source which fed 50 fountains across the city.
At the foot of the promontory pass route of Montélimar to Le Puy-en-Velay, lies the oldest axis of movement between the Rhone valley and the mountains of Auvergne. The privileged location between l'Ardèche méridionale (Southern Ardèche) and l'Ardèche verte (Green Ardèche) allowed for a crossroads between different types of agriculture and business.
The Baron's family reigned 1084 to 1441 and built the tower, the wall and two large, round towers of the castle which is surrounded by a moat that is why in French Aubenas is called "La cité des Montlaur". The lords who were not only at the origin of the economic growth of the city, but also the social and material development of its residents. Their motto was: "Montlaur, au plus haut!".
Aubenas is the seat of the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie Ardèche Méridionale. It is also the seat of the Centre de formation d'apprentis (CFA) et is a training centre.
Aubenas is a city which survives today on commerce, tourism, and food manufacturing companies, producing things like cheese, chestnuts and other foodstuffs, the likes of which one might find in a delicatessen. It is also close to the commune of Lanas, which is home to a small aeroport (an aerodome).
The city hosted the arrival of the Tour de France
on 24 July 2009, the day prior to the climbing of mount Ventoux.
The city had a railway until 1969 for passengers and until 1988 for goods. The line Vogüé
-Lalevade-d'Ardèche
. The station still sells tickets for the SNCF.
Since 4 June 2007, the service "tout'enbus" of the community of the communes of Pays d'Aubenas-Vals has also worked in the commune of Aubenas, Saint-Privat, Ucel and Vals-les-Bains.
, Italy
Delfzijl
, Netherlands
Schwarzenbek
, Germany
Sierre
, Switzerland
Zelzate
, Belgium
Palamos
, Spain
(friendship agreement)
Ardèche
Ardèche is a department in south-central France named after the Ardèche River.- History :The area has been inhabited by humans at least since the Upper Paleolithic, as attested by the famous cave paintings at Chauvet Pont d'Arc. The plateau of the Ardeche River has extensive standing stones ,...
department in the Rhône Valley
Rhône River
The Rhone is one of the major rivers of Europe, rising in Switzerland and running from there through southeastern France. At Arles, near its mouth on the Mediterranean Sea, the river divides into two branches, known as the Great Rhone and the Little Rhone...
in southern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
It is the seat of several government offices. The surrounding countryside, which is mountainous and rugged; is popular for vacation homes.
The Ardèche River
Ardèche River
The Ardèche is a 125 km long river in south-central France, a right-bank tributary of the Rhône River. Its source is in the Massif Central, near the village of Astet. It flows into the Rhône near Pont-Saint-Esprit, north-west of Orange...
flows through the commune.
Aubenas is part of the "Pays d'Aubenas-Vals", composed of 10 towns and villages including Vals-les-Bains
Vals-les-Bains
Vals-les-Bains is a commune in the Ardèche department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
, for approximately 23,000 people.
Aside from a long-year commercial activity, Aubenas has a good strategic position on the touristic field, at crossroads of a regional natural park, the zone of the Ardèche river canyon, and the start of mountains.
The chestnut
Chestnut
Chestnut , some species called chinkapin or chinquapin, is a genus of eight or nine species of deciduous trees and shrubs in the beech family Fagaceae, native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The name also refers to the edible nuts they produce.-Species:The chestnut belongs to the...
industry is one testimony of the intense agricultural activity earlier in time.
Population
Etymology
The root alb-, meaning a height, is present in the name of the city (Latin Albenate). And in fact, it is sat on the strategic position of a limestone base overlooking the valley of Ardèche.Due to the long distance from a water source, the city was known informally as the city without water until the 19th century, when on 28 June 1863, under the leadership of the then Mayor John Mathon, water was pumped from an external source which fed 50 fountains across the city.
At the foot of the promontory pass route of Montélimar to Le Puy-en-Velay, lies the oldest axis of movement between the Rhone valley and the mountains of Auvergne. The privileged location between l'Ardèche méridionale (Southern Ardèche) and l'Ardèche verte (Green Ardèche) allowed for a crossroads between different types of agriculture and business.
The Middle Ages
The hill on which the city is built is mentioned during the 5th century AD. It tells of a conflict between the bishops of the hill and the bishops of Viviers, which is a local commune in the same modern day department; for the construction of a fortress. By 1084, the bishop of the hill won the lengthy conflict. The area became the possession of the Baron, Montlaur; all the way from the Ardèche mountains to what is now the western border of the current day department of Ardèche.The Baron's family reigned 1084 to 1441 and built the tower, the wall and two large, round towers of the castle which is surrounded by a moat that is why in French Aubenas is called "La cité des Montlaur". The lords who were not only at the origin of the economic growth of the city, but also the social and material development of its residents. Their motto was: "Montlaur, au plus haut!".
Renaissance
During the Renaissance, the city became Protestant, and after the third war of religion, the residents refused to allow royal troops within the city walls.Economy
Aubenas is a city which survives today on commerce, tourism, and food manufacturing companies, producing things like cheese, chestnuts and other foodstuffs, the likes of which one might find in a delicatessen. It is also close to the commune of Lanas, which is home to a small aeroport (an aerodome).
The city hosted the arrival of the Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
on 24 July 2009, the day prior to the climbing of mount Ventoux.
The City
The city hall which is situated in the city centre is surrounded by many paved roads, this is also the highest part of the city, it overlooks the medieval castle that overlooks the valley of the Ardèche.The city had a railway until 1969 for passengers and until 1988 for goods. The line Vogüé
Vogüé
Vogüé is a commune in the Ardèche department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
-Lalevade-d'Ardèche
Lalevade-d'Ardèche
Lalevade-d'Ardèche is a commune in the Ardèche department in southern France.It is the commune with the smallest area in the department.-Economy:In the 19th century, the commune was an active industrial center, with coal mines and tanneries...
. The station still sells tickets for the SNCF.
Since 4 June 2007, the service "tout'enbus" of the community of the communes of Pays d'Aubenas-Vals has also worked in the commune of Aubenas, Saint-Privat, Ucel and Vals-les-Bains.
Places and monuments
- Château d'Aubenas, classed as a historic monument (France), now houses the city hall. Originally it was a strong castle in the 14th century. It was refurbished in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today it boasts a large collection of paintings, sculptures and engravings. It offers an exceptional dungeon panorama.
- The Gargoule house, from the sixteenth century, by the castle.
- The Saint Laurent composite church.
- The Saint-Benoît cathedral of the 17th and 18th centuries is the old chapel of a benedictine convent.
Personalities
- Jean Mathon, old mayor of the city.
- Albert SeibelAlbert SeibelAlbert Seibel was a French physician and viticulturist who made hybrid crosses of European wine grapes with native North American grapes...
, creater of several hybrid vines. - Franck SauzéeFranck SauzéeFranck Sauzée is a former French international footballer and manager. He played 39 times for the French national team between 1988 and 1993, scoring nine goals and captaining the team several times...
, footballer - Léonce VernyLéonce VernyFrançois Léonce Verny, was a French officer and naval engineer who directed the construction of the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal in Japan, as well as many related modern infrastructure projects from 1865 to 1876, thus helping jump-start Japan's modernization.-Early life:Léonce Verny was born in Aubenas,...
, engineer - Cédric BarbosaCédric BarbosaCédric Barbosa is a French professional football player, currently playing with Évian Thonon Gaillard FC.- Career :Barbosa is a midfielder and lists Olympique Alès, Montpellier SC and Stade Rennais as his former clubs...
, footballer - Jean-Marc GounonJean-Marc GounonJean-Marc Gounon is a racing driver from France. He raced in Formula One in and , participating in a total of 9 Grands Prix and scoring no championship points....
, racecar driver - Rémy Martin, player of rugby
- Jean Charay, Priest and historian
- Dominique Guillo, comedian and director
- Laurent PaganelliLaurent PaganelliLaurent Paganelli, is a former footballer, currently a journalist for Canal +, since 1997. He holds the record of the youngest player in French Division 1.-Titles:...
, footballer - Jacques Espérandieu, journalist
- Anthony MounierAnthony MounierAnthony Mounier is a French footballer who currently plays for Nice in Ligue 1. He primarily plays as a left-side winger.-Career:...
, footballer - Renaud CohadeRenaud CohadeRenaud Cohade is a French footballer currently playing for Valenciennes FC.-External links:*...
, footballer - Nimdus and bonioBonioBonio is the most popular brand of dog biscuit sold in the United Kingdom. It was originally sold by Spratts Patent Ltd. of London some 75 years ago, but through various acquisitions it is nowadays marketed by Nestlé Purina PetCare, until recently under their Winalot brand....
- Delphine CombeDelphine CombeDelphine Combe is a French sprinter. She won a bronze medal in 4 x 100 metres relay at the 1997 World Championships in Athletics and a gold medal in the same event at the 2002 European Championships in Athletics.-External links:...
, athlete - Amandine LeynaudAmandine LeynaudAmandine Leynaud is a French handball goalkeeper, playing for the French women's national handball team.- Club :...
, handballer
Twin towns
Aubenas is twinned with: CesenaticoCesenatico
Cesenatico is a port town with about 20,000 inhabitants on the Adriatic coast of Italy. It is located in the province of Forlì-Cesena in the region of Emilia-Romagna, about 30 km south of Ravenna...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
Delfzijl
Delfzijl
Delfzijl is a municipality and city in the northeast of the Netherlands. It is situated on the left bank of the river Ems estuary, which forms the border with Germany.-Population centres:...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
Schwarzenbek
Schwarzenbek
Schwarzenbek is a town in the district of Lauenburg, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is situated approximately 10 km northeast of Geesthacht, and 35 km east of Hamburg...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Sierre
Sierre
Sierre is the capital of the district of Sierre in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It has a population of 14,355.It is situated on the French–German language border of the canton of Wallis...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
Zelzate
Zelzate
Zelzate is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality only comprises the town of Zelzate proper. On January 1, 2006 Zelzate had a total population of 12,176. The total area is 13.71 km² which gives a population density of 888 inhabitants per km².Zelzate is...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
Palamos
Palamós
Palamós is a town and municipality in the Mediterranean Costa Brava, located in the comarca of Baix Empordà, in the province of Girona, Catalonia, Spain....
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
(friendship agreement)
External links
- Town council website (in French)
- Tourism office website