Arre (Gard)

Arre is a commune of the department of Gard in the Languedoc- Roussillon region. Administratively, it is assigned to the District of Le Vigan and the Arrondissement Le Vigan.

Geography

The village with 290 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) is located 88 kilometers west-northwest of Nîmes in a wooded area on the southern edge of the Cevennes, near the Mont Aigoual in the valley of the river Arre, which the community derives its name. Arre is served by the department road D999 which connects Alzon with Le Vigan.

History

Economy

The family Bas Lys, which was founded by Monsieur Brun d' Arre, employed in 1890 nearly 1,100 male and female workers. It stockings were mainly produced under the brand LYS (Eng. " Lily" ) were sold. This is one of the first artificial brand name that was not derived from the name of the manufacturer. The families of the employees came to enjoy company perks such as subsidized housing, allotments, canteen, library and more.

Camille Chante was actually pharmacists in Le Vigan but also a local writer. He wrote in 1933 in his book Le Vigan et ses environs - Un coin des Cévennes on the factory Brun:

"This important manufactory is the oldest in the region, dating back to the year 1740. The operation of the Father is passed on to the son, always with the same dual goal in mind for generations. Preserve the prosperity of the company and to maintain the prosperity of the region "

Coat of arms

Blazon: In green a silver tower, heraldic left subsequently a piece of the wall the same color. The whole black brick.

Demographics

The village had formerly more inhabitants. During the Second World War, there were still around 450, with nearly all workers working for the company Bas Lys.

Attractions

• The church of Saint Blaise
• The old stone bridge ( Pont Vieux )
• The Château d' Arre castle was plundered during the French Revolution and set on fire.
• The mansion of the family of entrepreneurs Brun ( Brun d' Arre Château des Usines )
• The former factory buildings of the old hosiery mill and dyeing
• The old orphanage