Charlieu

Charlieu is a commune with 3717 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) in the Loire department in the Rhône -Alpes.

Location

Charlieu lies on the north bank of the River Sornin at an altitude of about 275 meters above sea level.. inst The town of Mâcon is located about 75 km ( driving distance ) north-east; Roanne is located about 20 kilometers south-west. The remarkable town of Saint -Julien -de- Jonzy is about eleven kilometers north.

Demographics

The number of residents from 1793 to the end of the 19th century increased from 2,600 to over 5,400. Thereafter the number of inhabitants declined due to the Phylloxera crisis and the mechanization of agriculture continuously to today's value.

Economy

The surroundings of Charlieu was dominated by agriculture since time immemorial. The place itself acted as a regional crafts, trade and service center. In addition Charlieu lay on the Via Lemovicensis, one of the four main arms of St James, and was therefore often station for pilgrims, of which place and Abbey also benefited economically. In the 15th century the city became involved in the dispute to the French crown. After laying the trade routes they also lost in economic importance. It began a losing streak for the city, which was only overcome by the new boom, which took place in 1827 due to the silk weaving.

History

The village Charlieu that originated near the Benedictine abbey founded in 872 St- Fortunat ( Abbaye de Saint Fortunat ) at the intersection of two major roads, was in the year 994 as Carus locus ( more expensive place ) first mentioned. Because of its strategic position on the border of Burgundy came Charlieu under the protection of the French crown. Philip Auguste left the city in 1180 fix. Benefiting from the trade and crafts flourished in the city, so that in the 13th century with the construction of the church Saint- Philibert could be started.

Attractions

Abbey Saint- Fortunat

The former abbey is recognized as a monument historique since 1846.

Church of Saint- Philibert

The church is recognized as a monument historique since 1930.

Other

• The old hospital (Hôtel -Dieu ) of the city was built in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was made in 1985 under protection.
• The old salt warehouses from the 16th century has been protected since 1889.
• Several historic homes are made of stone classified as Monuments historiques since the late 19th century.
• One of the most beautiful buildings is a three-storey half-timbered corner house ( maison à colombage ) of the 17th century, whose ground floor is surrounded on two sides by wooden supports. It was made in 1928 under monument protection.
• The multi-arched stone segmental arch bridge over the River Sornin dates from the 15th century; however, it was later revised several times. It is recognized as a monument historique since 1938.
• Around the middle of the 13th century Pope Alexander IV had the Franciscan Order allowed to build a monastery in Charlieu. About a kilometer west of the town and in part on the territory of the present municipality of Saint -Nizier- sous- Charlieu began in 1280 with the construction of the virtually completed in the 14th century monastery, whose long-range cloister is surrounded by slender late Gothic arcades. The simple single-nave church is covered by an open wooden roof. The monastery complex is recognized as a monument historique since 1981.
• About three kilometers northeast of Charlieu and located in part on the territory of the commune of Saint -Denis -de- Cabanne, the Château de Gatellier, which is recognized as a monument historique since 1990, there is.