Condom, Gers
Encyclopedia
Condom also referred to as Condom-en-Armagnac, is a commune
in southwestern France
in the department of Gers
, of which it is a subprefecture.
. This particular route begins in Le Puy
and ends in Santiago de Compostela
in northwest Spain
. Pilgrim
s arrive at Condom after Miradoux
and continue on to Larressingle
.
, it is interesting to note that the town is located on the river Baïse
; baise, without the diaeresis, is a French vulgarism for a sexual act. In European French however, a condom is usually called préservatif rather than a condom. It is also home to a museum of famous population-control devices.
, both started in the 13th century. In total, 19 sites in Condom are listed as monuments historiques
by the French Ministry of Culture, including the cathedral
, churches and houses.
Condom is known for the production of Armagnac
, an international music festival of "bandas", an international chess tournament and an international chess marathon. It is also known for its tourism with farm campings and boating on waterways.
– since 1973 Toro
, Spain
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 southwestern 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...
in the department of Gers
Gers
The Gers is a department in the Midi-Pyrénées region in the southwest of France named after the Gers River.Inhabitants are called les Gersois or Gersoises.-History:...
, of which it is a subprefecture.
Way of St. James
Condom is a town on the Via Podiensis, one of the three major French arms of the pilgrimage route, the Way of St. JamesWay of St. James
The Way of St. James or St. James' Way is the pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the apostle Saint James are buried....
. This particular route begins in Le Puy
Le Puy-en-Velay
Le Puy-en-Velay is a commune in the Haute-Loire department in south-central France.Its inhabitants are called Ponots.-History:Le Puy-en-Velay was a major bishopric in medieval France, founded early, though its early history is legendary...
and ends in Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain.The city's Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James...
in northwest 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...
. Pilgrim
Pilgrim
A pilgrim is a traveler who is on a journey to a holy place. Typically, this is a physical journeying to some place of special significance to the adherent of a particular religious belief system...
s arrive at Condom after Miradoux
Miradoux
Miradoux is a commune in the Gers department in southwestern France.-Geography:The river Auroue forms most of the commune's western border and the Arrats all of its southeastern border.-Population:-References:*...
and continue on to Larressingle
Larressingle
Larressingle is a commune in the Gers department in southwestern France.-Population:-References:*...
.
Name
Given the more widespread social use, in the English language, of the word condomCondom
A condom is a barrier device most commonly used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy and spreading sexually transmitted diseases . It is put on a man's erect penis and physically blocks ejaculated semen from entering the body of a sexual partner...
, it is interesting to note that the town is located on the river Baïse
Baïse
The Baïse is a 188 km long river in south-western France, left tributary of the Garonne. Its source is in the foothills of the Pyrenees, near Lannemezan...
; baise, without the diaeresis, is a French vulgarism for a sexual act. In European French however, a condom is usually called préservatif rather than a condom. It is also home to a museum of famous population-control devices.
Population
Sights
Condom is the site of two castles, the Château de Mothes and the Château de PouypardinCastles in Gers
There are numerous Castles in the Gers départment of France. Many are little more than ruins and some are barely discernible, while others have been converted into modern homes. Castles or their remains may be found at the following locations, among others:...
, both started in the 13th century. In total, 19 sites in Condom are listed as monuments historiques
Monument historique
A monument historique is a National Heritage Site of France. It also refers to a state procedure in France by which national heritage protection is extended to a building or a specific part of a building, a collection of buildings, or gardens, bridges, and other structures, because of their...
by the French Ministry of Culture, including the cathedral
Condom Cathedral
Condom Cathedral is a Catholic church and a former cathedral, and a national monument of France, located in Condom, Gers. It was formerly the seat of the Bishops of Condom; the diocese was added to the Archdiocese of Auch in 1822.-Building description:The cathedral dominates the town, which sits...
, churches and houses.
Condom is known for the production of Armagnac
Armagnac (drink)
Armagnac is a distinctive kind of brandy or eau de vie produced in the Armagnac region in Gascony, southwest France. It is distilled from wine usually made from a blend of Armagnac grapes, including Baco 22A, Colombard, and Ugni Blanc, using column stills rather than the pot stills used in the...
, an international music festival of "bandas", an international chess tournament and an international chess marathon. It is also known for its tourism with farm campings and boating on waterways.
Sister city
Grünberg, GermanyGermany
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...
– since 1973 Toro
Toro, Zamora
Toro is a town and municipality in the province of Zamora, part of the autonomous community of Castile and León, Spain. It is located on a fertile high plain, northwest of Madrid at an elevation of 740 meters....
, 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...
External links
- Ministry of Culture entries for Condom
- Condom Cathedral aerial photo
- Pictures of Condom
- Le bonheur est dans le pré (Internet Movie Database)
