Noirmoutier-en-l'Île
Encyclopedia
Noirmoutier-en-l'Île, commonly referred to as Noirmoutier, is a commune
located in the northern part of the island of Noirmoutier, just off the coast of the Vendée
department in the Pays de la Loire
region
in western France.
The history of the town began with the arrival of the monk Saint Philibert
in 674 who founded a monastery. The Château de Noirmoutier
dates from the 11th and 12th century. In summer the area is a tourist resort.
Noirmoutier-en-l'Île is situated to the north of the island of Noirmoutier
, in the Atlantic Ocean. The commune covers the northern point of the island, and contains three villages: Noirmoutier, L'Herbaudiere and Le Vieil. L'Herbaudiere is a noted port and is managed by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Vendée. The unusual location relative to the town and economic might of the village encouraged from time to time its inhabitants to seek the establishment of an independent commune from Noirmoutier-en-l'Île.
Le Vieil is also located on the north coast within the commune, and is a typical village consisting of houses on traditional narrow lanes. During the summer it becomes a resort with holidaymakers. An inventor Brutus de Villeroi
tested the first French submarine in the village on 12 August 1832. An old street bears his name.
and seaweed
in the soil is responsible for the potato's earthy and salty flavor. Because the variety is delicate and its tuber remains attached to its stem, the potato must be picked and not torn.
The potatoes are generally served in top class restaurants in France and the Netherlands in mid May.
The commune is also known for its seafood dishes such as the Saint Gilles Croix de Vie barbecue grilled sardine and the baked germon tuna or mussels of the Bay de l’Aiguillon cooked in mouclade. Mojette beans
, as with the rest of the region, are eaten with a knob of butter or as a side dish with ham, duck or lamb. The wines of the Vendean Strongholds date back to the Middle Ages. Brem sur Mer, Pissotte, Mareuil sur Lay et Vix are notable wines that belong to the DWHQ category (Delimited Wines of Higher Quality).
The commune was also part of the 2005 Tour de France
and 2011 Tour de France
.
The Château de Noirmoutier
is one of the town's major landmarks and is run by the commune government, It has been listed as a monument historique
by the French Ministry of Culture since 1992.
The first traces of the castle appeared in 830 with the construction of a castrum by the abbot Hilbold, from the monastery of Saint-Philbert. It served to defend the monks and the island's population from the Vikings.
The castle was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century by the feudal power who was trying to stabilise the region, notably by preventing Norman
pillaging. The island at that time was under the control of the barons of La Garnache
. The keep
was built by Pierre IV of La Garnache, then an enclosure equipped with towers was built around the lower courtyard.The castle resisted numerous attacks from the English in 1342 and 1360, and again in 1386 under the command of the Earl of Arundel
It fought off the Spanish in 1524 and 1588, but in 1674, it was taken by the Dutch troops of Admiral Tromp
.
In the 16th century, the castle was held by the La Trémoille
family, then viscounts of Thouars. The castle was sold in 1720 to Louis IV Henri de Bourbon-Condé
who resold it in 1767 to Louis XV.
During the French Revolution
, the castle served as a military prison. During the 19th century, the castle was used as a barracks. In 1871, during the Paris Commune
, insurgents were imprisoned there. In 1960, a house was built within the castle grounds by the governor of the island and the castle. Today, the keep houses the Noirmoutier Museum.
The keep
at the centre of the castle is solid and rectangular. Built of rubble, it has three floors with the lords' residence at the top. The keep has numerous murder holes and defensive turrets at the corners. The rectangular fortification consists of two towers, a single gate and two watch turrets in the four corners. At the beginning of the 18th century, the towers were reconstructed and the keep adapted for artillery.
The Parish Church of Noirmoutier is dedicated to St. Philbert, who founded a monastery here around 674. where the monks' s had taken refuge after the invasion of Normandy in 875. A shrine at the altar contains relics of the saint and was classified as a historical monument in 1898. The church was first destroyed by the Saracens in 725 and 732. When the son of Charlemagne
, Louis the Pious
became King of Aquitaine, he inherited the rights to the church and in 801 ordered the reconstruction of the abbey and chapel. Forty five years later it was again destroyed by the Normans
in 846. It was then rebuilt at the end of 11th century but rather more primitively than previously. Centuries later, the aisles were raised and it was consecrated in 1849. The neo-Romanesque bell tower was built in 1875 to replace the old bell tower which was destroyed by fire in 1848.
On the inside is a model frigate
, made by an artisan watchmaker of the village in 1802 for Augustus Jacobsen. The church received the body of St. Philbert some time between 690 and 836, when he was transferred to Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu
, where the monks had taken refuge after the invasion of Normandy in 875. A shrine at the altar contains relics of the saint and was classified as a historical monument in 1898.
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...
located in the northern part of the island of Noirmoutier, just off the coast of the Vendée
Vendée
The Vendée is a department in the Pays-de-la-Loire region in west central France, on the Atlantic Ocean. The name Vendée is taken from the Vendée river which runs through the south-eastern part of the department.-History:...
department in the Pays de la Loire
Pays de la Loire
Pays de la Loire is one of the 27 regions of France. It is one of the regions created in the late 20th century to serve as a zone of influence for its capital, Nantes, one of a handful so-called "balancing metropolises" ¹...
region
Régions of France
France is divided into 27 administrative regions , 22 of which are in Metropolitan France, and five of which are overseas. Corsica is a territorial collectivity , but is considered a region in mainstream usage, and is even shown as such on the INSEE website...
in western France.
The history of the town began with the arrival of the monk Saint Philibert
Philibert of Jumièges
Saint Philibert of Jumièges was an abbot and monastic founder, particularly associated with Jumièges Abbey.He was born in Gascony as the only son of a Vic or Vic-Jour based courtier of Dagobert I and was educated by Saint Ouen...
in 674 who founded a monastery. The Château de Noirmoutier
Château de Noirmoutier
The Château de Noirmoutier is a castle on the Île de Noirmoutier in the Vendée département of France. It dominates the town of Noirmoutier-en-l'Île with its almost 20m high keep...
dates from the 11th and 12th century. In summer the area is a tourist resort.
Geography
Île de Noirmoutier
The island of Noirmoutier is off the Atlantic coast of France in the Vendée department.Parts of the island have been reclaimed from the sea. In 2005 it served as the finish of the Tour de France prologue....
, in the Atlantic Ocean. The commune covers the northern point of the island, and contains three villages: Noirmoutier, L'Herbaudiere and Le Vieil. L'Herbaudiere is a noted port and is managed by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Vendée. The unusual location relative to the town and economic might of the village encouraged from time to time its inhabitants to seek the establishment of an independent commune from Noirmoutier-en-l'Île.
Le Vieil is also located on the north coast within the commune, and is a typical village consisting of houses on traditional narrow lanes. During the summer it becomes a resort with holidaymakers. An inventor Brutus de Villeroi
Brutus de Villeroi
Brutus de Villeroi was a French engineer of the 19th century, born as Brutus Villeroi in the city of Tours and soon moved to Nantes, who developed some of the first operational submarines, and the first submarine of the United States Navy, the Alligator in 1862.-Villeroi's first submarine :In...
tested the first French submarine in the village on 12 August 1832. An old street bears his name.
Cuisine
Noirmoutier is home to the most expensive potatoes in the world. Known as "La Bonnotte", only around 100 tons of this top quality potato are cultivated annually and it is harvested only on the island Noirmoutier. The cost of one kilogram can reach €500 (US $322 per pound), but the potatoes are normally sold for around €70 per kilo (US $45 per pound). The cost is attributed to the fact that this type of potato is almost extinct because it must be harvested by hand. The potato fields also require fertilization by seaweed in a climate shaped by the nearby sea. The presence of algaeAlgae
Algae are a large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length. They are photosynthetic like plants, and "simple" because their tissues are not organized into the many...
and seaweed
Seaweed
Seaweed is a loose, colloquial term encompassing macroscopic, multicellular, benthic marine algae. The term includes some members of the red, brown and green algae...
in the soil is responsible for the potato's earthy and salty flavor. Because the variety is delicate and its tuber remains attached to its stem, the potato must be picked and not torn.
The potatoes are generally served in top class restaurants in France and the Netherlands in mid May.
The commune is also known for its seafood dishes such as the Saint Gilles Croix de Vie barbecue grilled sardine and the baked germon tuna or mussels of the Bay de l’Aiguillon cooked in mouclade. Mojette beans
Mojette beans
Mojette beans or Mogette beans are white beans native to the French department of Vendée in the region of Pays de la Loire. They are smooth, fine and almost rectangular....
, as with the rest of the region, are eaten with a knob of butter or as a side dish with ham, duck or lamb. The wines of the Vendean Strongholds date back to the Middle Ages. Brem sur Mer, Pissotte, Mareuil sur Lay et Vix are notable wines that belong to the DWHQ category (Delimited Wines of Higher Quality).
The commune was also part of the 2005 Tour de France
2005 Tour de France
The 2005 Tour de France was the 92nd Tour de France, taking place from July 2 to July 24, 2005. It comprised 21 stages over 3592.5 km, the winner's average speed was 41.654 km/h. The first stages were held in the département of the Vendée, for the third time in 12 years. The 2005 Tour was...
and 2011 Tour de France
2011 Tour de France
-Pre-race favourites:2010 winner Alberto Contador was suspended from cycling during a doping investigation from September 2010 to February 2011, during which time 2010 runner-up Andy Schleck was regarded as the favourite. When the suspension was lifted, Contador declared his desire to compete in...
.
Landmarks
Château de Noirmoutier
The Château de Noirmoutier is a castle on the Île de Noirmoutier in the Vendée département of France. It dominates the town of Noirmoutier-en-l'Île with its almost 20m high keep...
is one of the town's major landmarks and is run by the commune government, It has been listed as a monument historique
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 since 1992.
The first traces of the castle appeared in 830 with the construction of a castrum by the abbot Hilbold, from the monastery of Saint-Philbert. It served to defend the monks and the island's population from the Vikings.
The castle was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century by the feudal power who was trying to stabilise the region, notably by preventing Norman
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
pillaging. The island at that time was under the control of the barons of La Garnache
La Garnache
La Garnache is a commune in the Vendée department in the Pays de la Loire department in the Pays de la Loire region in western France.-References:*...
. The keep
Keep
A keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the...
was built by Pierre IV of La Garnache, then an enclosure equipped with towers was built around the lower courtyard.The castle resisted numerous attacks from the English in 1342 and 1360, and again in 1386 under the command of the Earl of Arundel
Richard FitzAlan, 11th Earl of Arundel
Richard FitzAlan, 11th Earl of Arundel and 9th Earl of Surrey KG was an English medieval nobleman and military commander.-Lineage:...
It fought off the Spanish in 1524 and 1588, but in 1674, it was taken by the Dutch troops of Admiral Tromp
Maarten Tromp
Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp was an officer and later admiral in the Dutch navy. His first name is also spelled as Maerten.-Early life:...
.
In the 16th century, the castle was held by the La Trémoille
La Trémoille
Members of the House of La Trémoille, were part of an old French family which derives its name from a village in the department of Vienne....
family, then viscounts of Thouars. The castle was sold in 1720 to Louis IV Henri de Bourbon-Condé
Louis Henri, Duc de Bourbon
Louis Henri de Bourbon, Duke of Bourbon, Prince of Condé was head of the cadet Bourbon-Condé branch of the French royal House of Bourbon from 1710 to his death, and served as prime minister to his kinsman Louis XV from 1723 to 1726.Despite...
who resold it in 1767 to Louis XV.
During the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, the castle served as a military prison. During the 19th century, the castle was used as a barracks. In 1871, during the Paris Commune
Paris Commune
The Paris Commune was a government that briefly ruled Paris from March 18 to May 28, 1871. It existed before the split between anarchists and Marxists had taken place, and it is hailed by both groups as the first assumption of power by the working class during the Industrial Revolution...
, insurgents were imprisoned there. In 1960, a house was built within the castle grounds by the governor of the island and the castle. Today, the keep houses the Noirmoutier Museum.
The keep
Keep
A keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the...
at the centre of the castle is solid and rectangular. Built of rubble, it has three floors with the lords' residence at the top. The keep has numerous murder holes and defensive turrets at the corners. The rectangular fortification consists of two towers, a single gate and two watch turrets in the four corners. At the beginning of the 18th century, the towers were reconstructed and the keep adapted for artillery.
The Parish Church of Noirmoutier is dedicated to St. Philbert, who founded a monastery here around 674. where the monks' s had taken refuge after the invasion of Normandy in 875. A shrine at the altar contains relics of the saint and was classified as a historical monument in 1898. The church was first destroyed by the Saracens in 725 and 732. When the son of Charlemagne
Charlemagne
Charlemagne was King of the Franks from 768 and Emperor of the Romans from 800 to his death in 814. He expanded the Frankish kingdom into an empire that incorporated much of Western and Central Europe. During his reign, he conquered Italy and was crowned by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800...
, Louis the Pious
Louis the Pious
Louis the Pious , also called the Fair, and the Debonaire, was the King of Aquitaine from 781. He was also King of the Franks and co-Emperor with his father, Charlemagne, from 813...
became King of Aquitaine, he inherited the rights to the church and in 801 ordered the reconstruction of the abbey and chapel. Forty five years later it was again destroyed by the Normans
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
in 846. It was then rebuilt at the end of 11th century but rather more primitively than previously. Centuries later, the aisles were raised and it was consecrated in 1849. The neo-Romanesque bell tower was built in 1875 to replace the old bell tower which was destroyed by fire in 1848.
On the inside is a model frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
, made by an artisan watchmaker of the village in 1802 for Augustus Jacobsen. The church received the body of St. Philbert some time between 690 and 836, when he was transferred to Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu
Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu
Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu is a commune in the Loire-Atlantique department in western France.It's about 400 km southeast of Paris, via Chartres, Le Mans, Angers, and Nantes....
, where the monks had taken refuge after the invasion of Normandy in 875. A shrine at the altar contains relics of the saint and was classified as a historical monument in 1898.
- Jacobsen Dam was built in 1812 by John Cornelius Jacobsen, descendant of a family of DutchNetherlandsThe 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...
who came to the area in the eighteenth century . This dam has allowed the development of salt marshSalt marshA salt marsh is an environment in the upper coastal intertidal zone between land and salt water or brackish water, it is dominated by dense stands of halophytic plants such as herbs, grasses, or low shrubs. These plants are terrestrial in origin and are essential to the stability of the salt marsh...
s, creating a towpath and a channel to access the port. Along the channel is the graveyard of ships. On the other side of the pier, in the marshes is a noted bird habitat with waterfowl such as BrantBrant- People :Surname* Aaron Brant , American football player* Alice Dayrell Caldeira Brant , Brazilian writer* Antony Thomas Brant , English pop singer* Beth Brant, Canadian Mohawk writer* David Brant, former NCIS investigator* Everett H...
and Little EgretLittle EgretThe Little Egret is a small white heron. It is the Old World counterpart to the very similar New World Snowy Egret.-Subspecies:Depending on authority, two or three subspecies of Little Egret are currently accepted....
. At the end of the pier there are facilities for cycling and pedestrians.
- La chapelle de la Pitié : Meaning "The Chapel of Mercy": There is a steleSteleA stele , also stela , is a stone or wooden slab, generally taller than it is wide, erected for funerals or commemorative purposes, most usually decorated with the names and titles of the deceased or living — inscribed, carved in relief , or painted onto the slab...
in memory of Jacobsen, creator of the dam, and the events of 3 January 1794 are recalled, when the sland was attacked by the Republican troops, who killed 1500 Vendée prisoners, despite promising to pardon them.
- L'Hôtel Jacobsen : The Jacobsen Hotel is the largest building of Noirmoutier. It was built between 1761 and 1766 by Cornils Guislain-Jacobsen who had been in the town since 1740.
- Hôtel Boucheron ou Lebreton des Grapillières': It was built in 1767, by the merchant François Boucheron. In 1790, the hotel became the property of the merchant Lebreton des Grapillières, who gave his name to the building. It was the headquarters of the customs administration in the nineteenth century, and tourist hotel called the Hotel d'Elba, after Napoleon's expulsion to ElbaElbaElba is a Mediterranean island in Tuscany, Italy, from the coastal town of Piombino. The largest island of the Tuscan Archipelago, Elba is also part of the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago and the third largest island in Italy after Sicily and Sardinia...
. - Chapelle de Le Vieil
- Eglise de l'Herbaudière
- Noirmoutier-en-l'Île Sealand Aquarium
- Pointe aux Dames Lighthouse
Personalities
- Pierre-Louis Lebreton (1752–1801), merchant, Mayor of Noirmoutier from 1792 to 1798.
- Édouard Richer, historian, specializing in the history of BrittanyBrittanyBrittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
.
| In memory of Jacobsen | Port | Town Hall | Noirmoutier-en-l'Île Sealand Aquarium |
|---|