Châteaugay

Châteaugay is a commune with 3156 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Puy -de- Dôme in the Auvergne region.

Location

Châteaugay is on the western edge of the old cultural landscape of the Limagne, about eleven km ( route ) to the north of Clermont -Ferrand and nine kilometers south-west of Riom.

Demographics

Since the mid-20th century, a steady increase in the population of the small wine-growing village is to determine which is mainly due to the influx of people from Clermont -Ferrand.

Economy

Maybe the Romans have grown in the area of wine; in the Middle Ages wine was needed for the Masses. So viticulture and agriculture for centuries played a central role in the - largely focused on self-sufficiency - economic life of the town. In addition, there were smaller traditional craft ( blacksmiths, coopers, wheelwrights, potters, etc.) to supply the surrounding farms with things that you could not itself manufacture there. In the 19th century more modern trades such as bakers, butchers etc. were added.

History

On the history of Châteaugay there are few records. Prior to the French Revolution, that is, in May of 1789, the Marquis de Lafayette and the Marquis de Laqueille met in the castle of the town to the convocation of the Estates-General to prepare.

Viniculture

The surrounding hillsides are composed of volcanic rock and therefore are well suited for the cultivation of wine. Covering an area of ​​about 100 hectares, the Gamay and Chardonnay are grown; the Pinot Noir is limited to a few hectares. From the Chardonnay grape is a varietal, dry white wine - vinified from Gamay and Pinot Noir grapes a cutback, dry red wine. The area is part of the wine-growing region Côtes d' Auvergne and the municipality may market their wines under the appellation Côtes d' Auvergne AOC and also Châteaugay AOC.

Attractions

• The Châteaugay castle was built in the late 14th century by Pierre de Giac, the Chancellor of Jean de Valois, duc de Berry, and later of King Charles VI. , On the site of an already dilapidated old building. Impressive are the square donjon and two round corner towers. In the 16th century the castle was a great Renaissance portal. The building was classified as a monument historique in 1911.
• The Church of Châteaugay - a building from the 19th century - is just south of the château and is also recognized as a monument historique since 1926.
• A representative from the 18th century was classified as a monument historique in 1974 because of its facade and its portal.
• The wine cellars in the Rue des Caves were carved into the soft tufa in the early 19th century prisoners of war of the Napoleonic Wars.

Twinning

• Châteauguay, Canada