Biron (Charente-Maritime)

Biron is a West commune with 231 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Charente -Maritime in the Poitou -Charentes.

Location

Biron is located approximately 50 meters above sea level. inst at a distance of about 26 km ( driving distance ) south-east of Saintes in the cultural landscape of the Saintonge. The capital of the canton, Pons is located about six kilometers to the west. Other cities with impressive Romanesque churches are just a few kilometers away: Pérignac, Bougneau, Échebrune, Chadenac, Avy, Marignac et al.

Demographics

In the first half of the 19th century, the city had well over 400 inhabitants, but by the phylloxera crisis and the increasing mechanization of agriculture has declined, the population steadily declined.

Economy

The agriculture ( grain and wine) still plays the largest role in the economy of the small community, which belongs to the wine region of Fins Bois in the Cognac region.

History

About the history of Biron specific information is not published. However, the history of the site is likely to be closely linked with that of Saintes and Pons.

Attractions

• Main attraction of Biron is the former St. Eutropius, but today Notre -Dame church dedicated essentially to the 12th century - is attributable to - so the style of the Romanesque period. In the 15-16. Century has been added on the south side of the circuit is provided with a straight apse a late Gothic chapel, the apse was vaulted with a ribbed vault and the walls of the apse and side walls were built for defense purposes wall structures ( fortified church ); the side walls were not - as elsewhere (eg Écurat, La Couronne and others) - reinforced by powerful buttresses. The stocky -looking octagonal crossing tower has sound holes in all directions. The west facade impresses with its harmonious construction in three levels: The lower level shows a fivefold stepped back tympanonloses Archivolts portal with two smaller lateral portals Blend (triumphal arch motif ). About a console frieze rises a elfbogige arcades zone - the central arch is increased compared to the others and has a window to the exposure of the nave from the west. A cornice with frieze blocks separates the medium from the upper level, which consists only of a plain tympanum. The portal jewelry basically consists of ( mythical ) animals, foliage and abstract ornaments. The nave interior of the church is closed with a wooden arch, the dome on pendentives Vierungsbereich has, the almost square apse closes up with an eight -part rib vault from. Large blind arches and pronounced half-columns templates suggest this was planned a steinerene vaulting of the nave, which does not, however, came to execution. A circumferential painted frieze from the 16th/17th. Century can be found in many churches in the region (eg Rétaud, Rioux ). The church was classified as a monument historique in 1907.
• Diagonally across from the church is a stone cross from the 17th century that in its structure and in its overall character is strongly reminiscent of the spread in the region Hosanna - crosses, but in this case - because of the representation of the crucified - as Kalvarienkreuz ( calvaire ) denotes will. The cross was also recognized in 1949 as a monument historique.