Azay-le-Rideau

Azay -le- Rideau is a commune with 3452 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Indre- et- Loire in the Centre region; it belongs to the district of the canton of Chinon and Azay -le- Rideau and is one of 12 municipalities of the Communauté de communes du Pays d' Azay le Rideau. The inhabitants are called Azays Ridellois or Ridelloises.

Azay -le- Rideau is located in the valley of the Indre, the municipality is part of the Regional Natural Park Loire -Anjou- Touraine.

History

Probably originating from Gallo-Roman times takes the place in the 10th century with Aziacus first mention. Where a fortress was the end of the eleventh or beginning of the twelfth century under the Knights Ridel d' Azay, a feudal lord who enjoyed a dubious reputation for his cruelty, built. This Seigneur was the namesake of the village, which was called from his rule Azium Ridelli ( 1118).

In addition to tourism, primarily because of the castle, which is considered an architectural gem, dominated agriculture, including in particular wine-growing Appellation d' Origine under the Touraine Azay -le- Rideau.

Demographics

The population of the municipality of Azay -le- Rideau is continuously increasing slightly since the 1960s. However, growth is lagging behind the national average. The in the 1960s still relatively high surplus of births was largely offset by a strong migration. Since the mid- 1970s, then the community could produce a slight influx and last a largely balanced migration balance again.

Attractions

• The castle of Azay -le- Rideau heard as one of over 400 castles in the castles of the Loire; Main article: Azay -le- Rideau
• The nave of the registered as a monument historique Saint- Symphorien dates from the 11th to the 13th centuries.
• The Musée Maurice Dufresne shows mainly agricultural equipment and machinery.

Personalities

• The French botanist and mycologist Tulasne Edmond was born 1815 in Azay -le- Rideau.
• French actress Catherine Jourdan (1948-2011) was born here.

Twinning

Azay -le- Rideau is connected by twinning with

• Lasne Belgium in the Belgian province of Walloon Brabant.seit 1981
• United Kingdom Croston in Lancashire, United Kingdom, since 1989
• Poland Dubiecko in Poland, since 2000
• Nisa Portugal in Alentejo, since 1991