Buzet-sur-Baïse

Buzet- sur- Baise is a municipality with 1301 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in France, in the department of Lot- et- Garonne in the Aquitaine region.

Geography

Buzet- sur- Baise is located on the left bank of the Baise, four kilometers away from its confluence with the Garonne. Since the Garonne with larger ships is closed, the Lateral Canal à la Garonne ( Garonne Lateral Canal ) was built, which runs through Buzet also.

The municipality extends over three zones:

• The terrace (where the village is located)
• The hill ( the terrace overlooks the west),
• The plane ( the flood area of Baise and Garonne).

The soils of the terrace and the hill are particularly favorable for viticulture, while grown in the plain fruits, vegetables and grains.

History

• The area was already inhabited in prehistoric times.

• In the Middle Ages, a castle was built on a rocky cliff that dominated the valley of the brook Bénac and the Valley of Baise. Little by little market town developed around the castle.

• Probably by the end of the French Wars of Religion, the small wine-growing village Lagravère, which was situated on the banks of the creek Bénac, more and more, while the market town was abandoned gradually developed around the castle. The inhabitants built a city hall (1838 ) and a church with presbytery ( 1858) at the new location, which eventually became Buzet- sur- Baise.

• The main source of income was agriculture community and especially the wine. There were several small mills on the stream of Bénac, but especially an imposing mill on the Baise, which belonged to the Counts of Flamarens.

• The construction of the Garonne lateral canal, which was opened in 1856, has changed the landscape of Buzet Although a little, but has mainly promoted the development of trade, which had gained a significant importance particularly along the Baise.

Economy

• Viniculture Buzet- sur- Baise is now known throughout the world for its wines, the vineyards of Buzet has AOC status since 1973.

• River tourism Because today the inland navigation in this region has no economic importance, it was discovered for tourism. For this reason, a port was here recently built for sports and houseboats and inaugurated in 2001.

Attractions

• Church of Our Lady, 19th century
• Castle and festivals of the Lords of Buzet, built on a rocky crags, are private and can not be visited.
• Double lock from the Canal de Garonne down to Baise. It allows since its establishment in 1852 to include the channel in the river network of the Southwest ( Baise, Garonne, Lot) and made from Buzet- sur- Baise a shipping hub.