Vimoutiers
Vimoutiers | |
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Location of Vimoutiers  | |
  Vimoutiers  Vimoutiers | |
| Coordinates: 48°56′N 0°12′E / 48.93°N 0.20°E | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Normandy |
| Department | Orne |
| Arrondissement | Mortagne-au-Perche |
| Canton | Vimoutiers |
| Area 1 | 16.15 km2 (6.24 sq mi) |
| Population (2012) | 3,675 |
| • Density | 230/km2 (590/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 61508 /61120 |
| Elevation | 92–236 m (302–774 ft) (avg. 134 m or 440 ft) |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
Vimoutiers is a commune in the Orne department in north-western France.
The finish line of the Paris–Camembert bicycle race is Vimoutiers.
History
In 1040 while besieging a nearby Norman castle, Alan III, Duke of Brittany died suddenly in Vimoutiers, then a possession of the Duchy of Normandy. His death was thought to be caused by poisoning.
On 14 June 1944, during the Battle of Normandy, Vimoutiers was bombarded by Allied forces. The village was destroyed and 220 people died. 400 people of Van Wert, Ohio contributed in the costs of reconstruction and reparation of the town. They volunteered to pay for the replacement of Marie Harel's statue in 1953. This is recorded by a plaque in the market square of Vimoutiers.[1]
A Second World War German Tiger tank is exposed on the outskirts of the city. It is one of six remaining in the world.
The beautiful and strategic location of Vimoutiers attracts numerous tourists for sporting events, recreation and overnight rest. Modern hotels and small restaurants cater to visitors.
Heraldry
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The arms of Vimoutiers are blazoned : Azure, a cross Or, between 4 keys addorsed argent.
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Name
The name 'Vimoutiers' is a contraction of 'Vie', the name of the small river which runs through the town ('vie' means 'life'), and 'Moutiers', a French word which means 'Monastery'. This name is derived from the fact that there was once a monastery present on the site, near the banks of the river 'Vie.
Notable people
Vimoutiers was the birthplace of Joseph Laniel (1889–1975), politician of the Fourth Republic.
Twin towns
Vimoutiers is twinned with:
- Fordingbridge in England (since 1982)
- Sontra in Germany (since 1971)
See also
References
- ^ The new statue and plaque, Wikimedia Commons, Retrieved 29 April 2017
External links
- Pictures of Vimoutiers before June 1944 (with a link to Charlotte Corday).
- Hôtel le Soleil d'Or
- Routard.com - Vimoutiers
- Vimoutiers Official Homepage (in English)
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