Moncoutant

Moncoutant is a commune in the Deux- Sèvres in the Poitou -Charentes. It has 3176 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) and is the capital of the canton of the same name.

The inhabitants of Moncoutant be called Moncoutantais. The city's name is derived from the mons Constantinus ( Constantine mountain ), in honor of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great.

Geography

Moncoutant is located on the Sevre Nantaise in the north of the Deux- Sèvres, 50 kilometers north of Niort and 15 kilometers west of Parthenay. The municipality is located in a Bocage area, that is a landscape that is dominated by centuries-old high hedges as a corridor boundary.

Economy

Moncoutant is mainly dominated by agriculture, but also some industrial enterprises are located in the city center. With the opening of the recreation area Pescalis 2001, the community was also opened up for tourism.

History

The colonization of the region around Moncoutant is detected since the Neolithic period.

During the Reformation, many inhabitants were converted to Protestantism. Even today there is a strong Protestant community in the city.

From the 18th to the late 19th century, a significant textile industry in Moncoutant. On the banks of the Sevre Nantaise mills were built to wash the wool. Later, the mills have been used to grind grain.

At the turn of the 20th century Moncoutant received a railroad connection to the line - Niort Parthenay. However, this connection does not exist anymore.

During the Second World War there was a resistance group in the city. Five inhabitants died in the resistance.

Population

Attractions

The church in the city was restored from 1865 to 1867. It includes elements of Romanesque and Gothic.