Saint-Maixent-l'École
Encyclopedia
Saint-Maixent-l'École is a commune
in the Deux-Sèvres
department in western France
.
and 40 miles (64 km) from La Rochelle
. The town sits in a fertile and sheltered south facing valley through which meanders a branch of the River Sevre.
It enjoys a pleasant microclimate -often being between 2 and 5C warmer than the surrounding hilltops- and sits in a predominantly rural landscape. The town is close to the autoroute networks and is well served by its own station, known to SNCF as 'St. Maixent Deux Sèvres'. SNCF-TGV and RER local trains run to Angoulême, Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Lille, Montauban, Niort, Paris, Poitiers and Tours
, St. Maixent was often cast into the role of 'border town' between the Protestant strongholds around La Rochelle to the west and Catholic France to the East.
Limestone for building was excavated from an extensive network of (what have become) vaulted cellars. These often extend down for two (in one case seven) levels below ground and may be very large.
Oldest secular premises in the town is the ancient Pharmacy on Rue Anatole France which has been undergoing a slow but dedicated restoration/excavation of its many hidden features. The facade bears the inscription 'HIC VALE SANTE' (Here is Health.)
Rue Chalon, the pedestrianised main shopping street was extensively rebuilt during the 18th Century. The entrance is signified by an elegant masonry arch (Porte Chalon)and the street beyond presents a pleasantly uniform facade of handsome period buildings with shops, bars and retaurants facing onto the street.
and Bordeaux
, in close proximity to the Cognac
region. There are several speciality goats-milk cheeses produced in the area. The area is home to companies producing agricultural commodities, such as animal feed and vegetable oils
One of the mainstays of the local economy is the presence of the French Army NCO training school, which runs regular courses for all branches of the Army. There are extensive barracks,some parts dating back to the revolution, also 'married quarters' in the form of modern apartments scattered throughout the town.
There is a thriving Saturday market on the main street, a Food Hall on the market square, as well as branches of the usual supermarket chains and a small and rather quaint cinema (L'Hermitage).
with Horsham
in the United Kingdom
. This fact is marked by the presence of an original red UK telephone kiosk outside the Mairie.
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 Deux-Sèvres
Deux-Sèvres
Deux-Sèvres is a French département. Deux-Sèvres literally means "two Sèvres": the Sèvre Nantaise and the Sèvre Niortaise are two rivers which have their sources in the department.-History:...
department in western 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...
.
Geography
Saint-Maixent-l'École is located in the Haut Val de Sèvre area of western France, about 15 miles (24 km) from NiortNiort
Niort is a commune in the Deux-Sèvres department in western France.The Latin name of the city was Novioritum.The population of Niort is 60,486 and more than 137,000 people live in the urban area....
and 40 miles (64 km) from La Rochelle
La Rochelle
La Rochelle is a city in western France and a seaport on the Bay of Biscay, a part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Charente-Maritime department.The city is connected to the Île de Ré by a bridge completed on 19 May 1988...
. The town sits in a fertile and sheltered south facing valley through which meanders a branch of the River Sevre.
It enjoys a pleasant microclimate -often being between 2 and 5C warmer than the surrounding hilltops- and sits in a predominantly rural landscape. The town is close to the autoroute networks and is well served by its own station, known to SNCF as 'St. Maixent Deux Sèvres'. SNCF-TGV and RER local trains run to Angoulême, Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Lille, Montauban, Niort, Paris, Poitiers and Tours
History
The town was founded in 459 by the Oratorian monk Agapit, who was joined in 480 by Adjutor who took the name Maixent. Initially, the city was known as Saint-Saturnin. During the 6th and 7th centuries the city prospered. Later, during the Wars of ReligionFrench Wars of Religion
The French Wars of Religion is the name given to a period of civil infighting and military operations, primarily fought between French Catholics and Protestants . The conflict involved the factional disputes between the aristocratic houses of France, such as the House of Bourbon and House of Guise...
, St. Maixent was often cast into the role of 'border town' between the Protestant strongholds around La Rochelle to the west and Catholic France to the East.
Sights
Many of the town buildings date from 15th century through to the early 19th century. The town is home to a fine abbey which dominates the skyline. The abbey crypt houses the tombs of St. Maixent and St. Leger.Limestone for building was excavated from an extensive network of (what have become) vaulted cellars. These often extend down for two (in one case seven) levels below ground and may be very large.
Oldest secular premises in the town is the ancient Pharmacy on Rue Anatole France which has been undergoing a slow but dedicated restoration/excavation of its many hidden features. The facade bears the inscription 'HIC VALE SANTE' (Here is Health.)
Rue Chalon, the pedestrianised main shopping street was extensively rebuilt during the 18th Century. The entrance is signified by an elegant masonry arch (Porte Chalon)and the street beyond presents a pleasantly uniform facade of handsome period buildings with shops, bars and retaurants facing onto the street.
Economy
The main agricultural produce of the region around the town includes maize, sunflowers for seed oil, flax, tobacco and wine. Sugar Beet and Charente Melons also feature prominently. The town lies halfway between the Loire ValleyLoire Valley
The Loire Valley , spanning , is located in the middle stretch of the Loire River in central France. Its area comprises approximately . It is referred to as the Cradle of the French Language, and the Garden of France due to the abundance of vineyards, fruit orchards, and artichoke, asparagus, and...
and Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
, in close proximity to the Cognac
Cognac
Cognac is a commune in the Charente department in southwestern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Geography:Cognac is situated on the river Charente between the towns of Angoulême and Saintes. The majority of the town has been built on the river's left bank, with the smaller right...
region. There are several speciality goats-milk cheeses produced in the area. The area is home to companies producing agricultural commodities, such as animal feed and vegetable oils
One of the mainstays of the local economy is the presence of the French Army NCO training school, which runs regular courses for all branches of the Army. There are extensive barracks,some parts dating back to the revolution, also 'married quarters' in the form of modern apartments scattered throughout the town.
There is a thriving Saturday market on the main street, a Food Hall on the market square, as well as branches of the usual supermarket chains and a small and rather quaint cinema (L'Hermitage).
Twin towns
The town is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with Horsham
Horsham
Horsham is a market town with a population of 55,657 on the upper reaches of the River Arun in the centre of the Weald, West Sussex, in the historic County of Sussex, England. The town is south south-west of London, north-west of Brighton and north-east of the county town of Chichester...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. This fact is marked by the presence of an original red UK telephone kiosk outside the Mairie.