Anjou, Isère

Anjou
Anjou
Administration
Country	France
Region	Rhône-Alpes
Department	Isère
Arrondissement	Arrondissement of Vienne
Canton	Canton of Roussillon
Intercommunality	Communauté de communes du Pays Roussillonnais
Mayor	M. Michel Morel (2001–2008)
Statistics
Elevation	218–383 m (715–1,257 ft)
Land area1	5.03 km2 (1.94 sq mi)
Population2	809  (1999)
- Density	161 /km2 (420 /sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code	38009/ 38150
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Anjou is a commune in the Isère department in south-eastern France.

Anjou is a French Commune, located in the department of Isère in the Rhône-Alpes region.

Introduction

Anjou is a village in Bas-Dauphiné, a few kilometres from the Rhône, located between Vienna and Valence. Resting on a south-facing hill, partially sheltered from rain by the peaks of the Pilat mountain range, it benefits from a mild and sunny climate. For many decades, the beauty of its location has drawn numerous tourists and many others who reside in the village.

Administration

List of mayors

Period		Name
2001	2008	M. Michel Morel
2008	current	M. Denis Rozier

Demographics

1962	1968	1975	1982	1990	1999	2006
535	565	505	585	744	809	931
After 1968 : Population without double counting

Landmarks and tourist attractions

• The church was built during the 19C and its steeple was built using two bells cast in Lyon in 1849 and in 1861. The steeple of Anjou's church has the oldest bell in the region. It originates from the Celestine convent in Lyon, destroyed during the French Revolution, and brought to Anjou by the Bectoz de Vaubonnais, owners of a chateau in the area. Open to the public.
• Anjou Chateau and a 10 hectare park. Chateau ruins and a park created by the famous landscape architects Henri and Achille Duchêne, for Clément and Alice Jourdan (Historic Landmark designation, 2009). Open to the public.
• Fondru Chateau was built in the 19C and belonged to the Bectoz de Vaubonnais family. It has an attractive pigeon loft, undergoing restoration. Not open to the public.
• Chateau de la Sablière. Not open to the public.
• The feudal tower of Anjou, which was part of the old medieval castle of the 12th century or 13th century. It overlooks the Old Village and the chateau of Anjou. The tower is, today, a panoramic site that provides a unique perspective over several departments. Interpretive panels, a lookout spot, picnic tables and facilities available to visitors. Open to the public.
• The Old Village of Anjou has many charming and picturesque lanes that include a blacksmith sign dating to 1666.
• A beautiful pedestrian promenade allows the leisurely exploration of the history and culture of Anjou in a day.

Notable people connected with Anjou

• Raymond of Anjou, a 12th century troubador in the provençal language, one of the first lords of Anjou.
• Charles IX, King of France (1550-1574) dined at the Anjou Chateau on August 15, 1564.
• Claude Brosse, famous community trustee of the Dauphine villages, was châtelain of Anjou. In 1639 Louis XIII granted a decree to him rendering fairer assizes (taxes) for the people, or Third-estate. His daughter married Joseph de Bectoz de Vaubonnais and brought him, through her dowry, Anjou lands.
• Melchior Mitte de Chevrières, Count of Anjou, hosted at Anjou Chateau Louis de Bourbon, cousin of Louis XIII, the governor of Dauphiné, during Christmas celebrations in 1623.
• Louis XIII, King of France, lodged at Anjou Chateau with his entire court, on July 20, 1629, during his return from the South.
• Humbert Guillot de Golat, Lord of Garenne, a Dauphinois poet, resided at Anjou where he wrote many poems.
• Sarah Bernhardt visited Anjou in 1887 and stayed at Anjou Chateau, at the invitation of Clément and Alice Jourdan.

External links

• Anjou on the Website of the INSEE

See also

• Communes of the Isère department