Saint-Amand-Montrond
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Saint-Amand-Montrond |
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 Saint-Amand-Montrond
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| Administration | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | Centre |
| Department | Cher |
| Arrondissement | Saint-Amand-Montrond |
| Canton | Saint-Amand-Montrond |
| Mayor | Thierry Vinçon (2008–2014) |
| Statistics | |
| Elevation | 148–312 m (486–1,024 ft) (avg. 162 m or 531 ft) |
| Land area1 | 20.17 km2 (7.79 sq mi) |
| Population2 | 11,376 (2008) |
| - Density | 564 /km2 (1,460 /sq mi) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 18197/ 18200 |
| 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. | |
Coordinates: 46°42′N 2°31′E / 46.70°N 2.51°E
Saint-Amand-Montrond is a commune in the Cher department in the Centre region of France.
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[edit] Geography
A small town of farming and a little light industry situated some 26 miles (42 km) southeast of Bourges, at the junction of the D951 with the D300 and D2144 roads. The town was built in the basin of the eastern banks of the Cher River which separates it from the commune of Orval, to which it is connected by two bridges.
A small river, the Marmande, joins the Cher here, and the canal de Berry crosses the commune from southeast to southwest. Some flooding is common because of the nearby marshes. The town is the capital of the small region of Boischaut, known for its woodland and cattle pastures.
[edit] Population
| Year | 1962 | 1968 | 1975 | 1982 | 1990 | 1999 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,890 | 11,495 | 12,278 | 12,451 | 11,937 | 11,447 | 11,376 |
[edit] History
The settlement of Saint-Amand goes back to prehistoric times. Evidence of Roman occupation has also been discovered here. An abbey was founded here around the year 620 by a monk called Theodulph. The commune was created after the French Revolution by the amalgamation of three separate small towns that had grown up during the Middle Ages: Saint Amand le Chastel, Montrond and Saint Amand sous Montrond.
[edit] Places of interest
- The church of Saint Amand, dating from the eleventh century.
- Several houses dating from the fifteenth century.
- The church of a Carmelite convent dating from the fifteenth century.
- A chapel from the convent, nowadays the town hall (hôtel de ville).
- The thirteenth century castle, a historic monument.
- The château de La Férolle.
- Vestiges of the twelfth century castle of Saint-Amand-le-Chatel.
- The museum of Saint-Vic.
[edit] Personalities
- Jean-Baptiste Lemire (1867–1945), composer.
- Louis Lecoin (1888–1971), pacifist and libertarian, was born in Saint-Amand-Montrond.
- Maurice Papon (1910–2007), mayor of Saint-Amand-Montrond (1971–1983) and collaborator during World War II.
- Serge Vinçon (1949–2007), college professor and politician was born here.
- Jean Godin des Odonais, cartographer and explorer, lived here.
[edit] Economy
The town is noted for its goldsmiths and jewellers. Two large printing companies, Bussiere and Clerc, produce large volumes of books and magazines.
[edit] Twin towns
[edit] See also
- Communes of the Cher department
- Prix Alain-Fournier - literary prize awarded at the town's annual book fair
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Official website of the town (French)
- Annuaire Marie website (French)
- Saint-Amand-Montrond on the Quid website (French)
- L'abbaye de Noirlac
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