Beaupréau

Beaupréau is a commune with 6856 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Maine -et -Loire in the Pays de la Loire. It belongs to Arrondissement Cholet and Canton Beaupréau.

Location

Beaupréau is located about 52 km ( driving distance ) southwest of Angers and about 52 kilometers east of Nantes on the north bank of the river Èvre in the landscape of Mauges. The town of Cholet, which has played an important role during the Vendée uprising, is located about 20 kilometers southeast.

Demographics

Economy

In the Middle Ages Beaupréau was the economic center of an agricultural environment. In the 1980s, commercial areas have been identified outside the city, creating new jobs were created.

History

In 1998, a prärömischer torso of a statue was discovered by chance that something rashly as Dame de Beaupréau (see web link) has been designated, although it is likely to be a male figure. Anyway, the Fund is an indication of the far- reaching back colonization of the area, which continued in Roman and medieval times. During the French Revolution took place in the vicinity of the Vendée uprising from.

Attractions

• The first castle was built in the first half of the 11th century under Nerra Fulk of Anjou as part of the border fortifications to Mark Breton. In the Middle Ages it belonged to the Scépeaux family, who in the 14th - 16th Century into an impressive Renaissance castle then tags their heirs, the Dukes of Blacas. In 1958 it was converted into a hospital, which was closed in 1994. Here one of the first battles in Vendéekrieg took place on 13 March 1793. Cathelineau blew apart a division of the National Guard and captured a cannon.
• The Hôtel du Sénéchal comes from various architectural periods (16th - 19th centuries). It was once the seat of the governor of the French king.
• A wash house ( lavoir ) - supposedly from the 16th century - is also obtained.
• The in 1863, completed in neo-Gothic style facade and stained glass, from the years 1875 to 1895 the church Notre -Dame are recognized as a monument historique since 2006.
• A 12.5 km loop trail (see web link) leads to some attractions in the area.

Personalities

• Maurice d' Elbee (1752-1794), commander of the Vendée uprising
• François Régis de La Bourdonnaye (1767-1839), Minister
• André Guinebert (1902-1990), painter
• Jean -Louis Papin ( b. 1947 ), Bishop of Nancy
• Franck Bouyer ( born 1974 ), cyclist
• Damien Gaudin ( born 1986 ), cyclist

Twinning

• Münsingen (Württemberg )
• Abergavenny (Wales )