Aubenas

Aubenas is a city in France in Ardèche, in the Rhône- Alpes region, with 11,586 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011).

The city was awarded the Europe Prize 1963.

At the national road RN 102, near Aubenas, the Auberge Rouge, the tavern that inspired Honoré de Balzac to his novels. The inhabitants are called Albenassiens and Albenassiennes.

Geography

Aubenas is situated on a hill in the valley of the river Ardèche, north and west of Aubenas close mountain ranges of the Massif Central at. The city lies between Montelimar and Le Puy -en -Velay, in one of the oldest trade routes between the Rhone Valley and the Auvergne. The privileged location in the center of the department leads to a mixture of different branches of industry from agriculture and industry.

History

The name Aubenas is derived from the Latin word Alb what root means, but also serves as a description of the hill in this case was built on the Aubenas ( cf. Latin Albenate ). The limestone plateau on which Aubenas is, offering an expansive view over the valley of the Ardèche.

The hill on which Aubenas was built, was mentioned for the first time in the 5th century AD. In the early Middle Ages it came there a conflict between the rival bishops of Viviers and those of Le Puy -en -Velay to build a fortress.

1084 were the bishops of Le Puy -en -Velay decide to fight for themselves, and thus made ​​the environment from Aubenas to the seat of the Barons of Montlaur, whose empire now reached to the western boundary of the present-day département. His family ruled until the year 1441. They built the city with a rampart and a castle, which is surrounded by a moat. Under their rule, the city was known as " Cité de Montlaur " which she still holds today.

Until the 19th century Aubenas was also known as a city without water before under the supervision of General John Mathon on June 28, 1863, water was pumped from a remote source in the urban area. The Ardèche, the river bed is dry the greatest time in the hot summer months, Aubenas could not sufficiently supplied with drinking water and up to the river sources in the Cevennes, it 's a long way.

Economy

Aubenas is the seat of the " Chambre de commerce et d'industrie Southernmost Ardeche " and the " Centre de formation d' apprentis " (CFA).

Today, the town mainly from tourism and food processing of cheese and chestnuts lives. Few residents are still employed in agriculture.

The town is the gateway to the Regional Natural Park of Monts d' Ardèche ( Parc naturel régional des Monts d' Ardèche).

Attractions

The Aubenas castle was built in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries. From Donjon one has a very good view of the valley of the Ardeche.

In France, it was raised to the historic monument and is now home to the town hall, which boasts major exhibitions of paintings, sculptures and ancient stone carvings. The castle stands on the highest point of the city.

Significant ecclesiastical buildings are the church of Saint -Laurent and the Dôme Saint- Benoit, a domed church from the 18th century, which once served as a chapel of an old Benedictine convent.

The house La Maison aux Gargouilles is close to the castle and dates from the 16th century,

Sons and daughters of the town

  • Albert Seibel (1844-1936), Rebzüchter
  • Henri Charrière (1906-1973), author of Papillon ( book )
  • Laurent Paganelli (born 1962 ), football player and sports journalist
  • Jean -Marc Gounon (* 1963), race car driver
  • Franck Sauzée (born 1965 ), football player
  • Amandine Leynaud (* 1986), Women's Handball

Community partnerships

Aubenas maintains partnerships with the following towns:

Arrondissement Cantons of France Postal codes in France Le Puy-en-Velay Auvergne (region) Cévennes Keep Papillon (book) Twin towns and sister cities Ailhon Lachapelle-sous-Aubenas Mercuer
87138
de