Banyuls-sur-Mer

Banyuls -sur -Mer ( Catalan Banyuls de la Marenda ) is a commune with 4661 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Pyrénées- Orientales in the Languedoc- Roussillon region. It is located in the historical Catalan comarca Rosselló. The inhabitants are called Banyulencs.

Geography

Banyuls -sur -mer located on the coast of the Golfe du Lion. The foothills of the Pyrenees, the Monts Albères fall here into the sea, forming a cliff. It borders the French neighboring communities Cerbère, Port -Vendres, Argelès -sur -Mer and Collioure and to Colera, Rabós and Espolla in Spain. Particularly well known is the place for the sweet wine Banyuls named after him, in addition, it houses the Oceanographic Institute Observatoire de océanologique Banyuls -sur -Mer with a museum and an aquarium.

History

The first written mention of the city dates from the year 981, then called Balneum or Balneola. In 1074 changes the form of writing in Bannils de Maritimo to distinguish the city from Banyuls -dels- Aspres 20 km away can. The term marenda, is mentioned in 1197 ( Banullis de Maredine ) and in 1674 ( Banyuls del afternoon snack ). Since the 19th century, the present-day Catalan naming Banyuls de la Marenda exists.

The name Banyuls means the presence of a pond in the local language. These, there were in fact up to drain the creek Vallauria in 1872., The extension name de Maritimo del Marende, sur mer, etc. have in the language points to the location on the coast.

During nearly two centuries of smuggling to and from Spain played a large role in Banyuls -sur -Mer. Depending on the needs of each era salt, tobacco, silver coins, sugar, rice, cloth, and leather were smuggled, and this virtual impunity. In addition, the population lived mainly by fishing and viticulture. Nowadays, tourism is important.

Every year in October, the traditional harvest festival " Fête des Vendanges " in Banyuls instead. The highlight is the " Déjeuner sur la Plage " is on Sunday, in which thousands of people celebrate the arrival of the barges laden with grapes.

Personalities

• The sculptor Aristide Maillol (1861-1944) was born in Banyuls and died at his home there, which reminds since 1994 as the Musée Maillol Banyuls to the artist. His grave is in the garden of the house.
• The resistance fighters Hans and Lisa Fittko support 1940/41, from Banyuls from the escape of many persecuted by the Nazi regime of Vichy France to Spain.