Republic of Saugeais
Encyclopedia
The Republic of Saugeais is a long-lived self-proclaimed micronation
located in eastern France
, in the département of Doubs. The republic comprises the 11 municipalities of Les Alliés
, Arçon
, Bugny
, La Chaux-de-Gilley
, Gilley
, Hauterive-la-Fresse
, La Longeville
, Montflovin
, Maisons-du-Bois-Lièvremont
, Ville-du-Pont
, and its capital Montbenoît
.
In 1947, the prefect
of the département of Doubs came to Montbenoît to attend an official event. The prefect had lunch in the Hôtel de l'Abbaye in Montbenoît, which was owned by Georges Pourchet. As a joke, Pourchet asked the prefect "Do you have a permit allowing you to enter the Republic of Saugeais?" The prefect asked for details on the mysterious republic, which Pourchet made up on the spot. The prefect responded by appointing Pourchet president
of the Free Republic of Saugeais.
Georges Pourchet died in 1968 and his wife Gabrielle initially succeeded as president. She retired in 1970 but remained active in Montbenoît, helping the parish priest to preserve the abbey. To raise funds, a festival was organised in 1972, during which Gabrielle Pourchet was elected by acclamation President for life.
President Gabrielle Pourchet appointed a prime minister, a general secretary, twelve ambassadors and more than 300 honorary citizens. A song written in the Langue Saugette, a Franco-Provençal dialect, by Joseph Botillon in 1910 was adopted as the republic's national anthem. A banknote was released in 1997, and the French Postal Service
issued a postal stamp commemorating the republic in 1987.
Gabrielle Pourchet died on 31 August 2005, at the age of 99, and her daughter Georgette Bertin-Pourchet succeeded as president.
Micronation
Micronations, sometimes also referred to as model countries and new country projects, are entities that claim to be independent nations or states but which are not recognized by world governments or major international organizations...
located in eastern 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 département of Doubs. The republic comprises the 11 municipalities of Les Alliés
Les Alliés
Les Alliés is a commune in the Doubs department in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France.-Population:-References:*...
, Arçon
Arçon
Arçon is a commune in the Doubs department in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France.-Population:-References:*...
, Bugny
Bugny
Bugny is a commune in the Doubs department in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France.-Population:...
, La Chaux-de-Gilley
La Chaux, Doubs
La Chaux is a commune in the Doubs department in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France.-Population:-References:*...
, Gilley
Gilley, Doubs
Gilley is a commune in the Doubs department in the region of Franche-Comté in eastern France.-Population:...
, Hauterive-la-Fresse
Hauterive-la-Fresse
Hauterive-la-Fresse is a commune in the Doubs department in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France.-Population:-References:*...
, La Longeville
La Longeville
La Longeville is a commune in the Doubs department in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France.-Geography:The commune lies from Montbenoît, half-way between Pontarlier and Morteau in the Jura mountains near the Swiss border.-Population:...
, Montflovin
Montflovin
Montflovin is a commune in the Doubs department in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France.-Population:-External links:*...
, Maisons-du-Bois-Lièvremont
Maisons-du-Bois-Lièvremont
Maisons-du-Bois-Lièvremont is a commune in the Doubs department in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France.-Geography:The commune is located from Montbenoît on both banks of the Doubs River. The village stretches along the main street and spreads over the plateau 50 m above the Doubs...
, Ville-du-Pont
Ville-du-Pont
Ville-du-Pont is a commune in the Doubs department in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France.- Population:-References:*...
, and its capital Montbenoît
Montbenoît
Montbenoît is a commune in the Doubs department in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France.-Geography:The commune lies north of Pontarlier in the Jura mountains.-History:...
.
In 1947, the prefect
Prefect
Prefect is a magisterial title of varying definition....
of the département of Doubs came to Montbenoît to attend an official event. The prefect had lunch in the Hôtel de l'Abbaye in Montbenoît, which was owned by Georges Pourchet. As a joke, Pourchet asked the prefect "Do you have a permit allowing you to enter the Republic of Saugeais?" The prefect asked for details on the mysterious republic, which Pourchet made up on the spot. The prefect responded by appointing Pourchet president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of the Free Republic of Saugeais.
Georges Pourchet died in 1968 and his wife Gabrielle initially succeeded as president. She retired in 1970 but remained active in Montbenoît, helping the parish priest to preserve the abbey. To raise funds, a festival was organised in 1972, during which Gabrielle Pourchet was elected by acclamation President for life.
President Gabrielle Pourchet appointed a prime minister, a general secretary, twelve ambassadors and more than 300 honorary citizens. A song written in the Langue Saugette, a Franco-Provençal dialect, by Joseph Botillon in 1910 was adopted as the republic's national anthem. A banknote was released in 1997, and the French Postal Service
La Poste (France)
La Poste is the mail service of France, which also operates postal services in the French Overseas Departments of Réunion, Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana, and the territorial collectivities of Saint Pierre and Miquelon and Mayotte...
issued a postal stamp commemorating the republic in 1987.
Gabrielle Pourchet died on 31 August 2005, at the age of 99, and her daughter Georgette Bertin-Pourchet succeeded as president.
List of presidents
- Georges Pourchet (1947–1968)
- Gabrielle Pourchet (1968–1970)
- Gabrielle Pourchet (1972-31 August 2005)
- Georgette Bertin-Pourchet (since 2005)
Sources and external links
- FOTW Flags Of The World website featuring information on the flag of the republic.