Candes-Saint-Martin
Encyclopedia
Candes-Saint-Martin is a commune
in the Indre-et-Loire
department in central France
. It overlooks the confluence of the Vienne and Loire rivers from a steep hill on the left bank of the Loire, and marks the boundary between the modern departments of Indre-et-Loire to the east, and Maine-et-Loire to the West.
The name 'Candes' is thought to derive from a Gallic word for 'confluence', and is found in several other similarly sited towns in the region; the termination 'Saint-Martin' was formally added in 1949, although it had been in common usage for many years.
Evidence of Gallo-roman occupation was found in 19th century excavations, particularly in the grounds of the Bishop's Palace which crowns the hill.
The village takes its name - and its main claim to fame- from the magnificent church which has succeeded the 4th century monastery where St Martin
, Bishop of Tours and 'Apostle to the Gauls', died in 397.
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
in the Indre-et-Loire
Indre-et-Loire
Indre-et-Loire is a department in west-central France named after the Indre and the Loire rivers.-History:Indre-et-Loire is one of the original 83 départements created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790...
department in central 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 overlooks the confluence of the Vienne and Loire rivers from a steep hill on the left bank of the Loire, and marks the boundary between the modern departments of Indre-et-Loire to the east, and Maine-et-Loire to the West.
The name 'Candes' is thought to derive from a Gallic word for 'confluence', and is found in several other similarly sited towns in the region; the termination 'Saint-Martin' was formally added in 1949, although it had been in common usage for many years.
Evidence of Gallo-roman occupation was found in 19th century excavations, particularly in the grounds of the Bishop's Palace which crowns the hill.
The village takes its name - and its main claim to fame- from the magnificent church which has succeeded the 4th century monastery where St Martin
Martin of Tours
Martin of Tours was a Bishop of Tours whose shrine became a famous stopping-point for pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela. Around his name much legendary material accrued, and he has become one of the most familiar and recognizable Christian saints...
, Bishop of Tours and 'Apostle to the Gauls', died in 397.
See also
- Communes of the Indre-et-Loire department