Cléron

Cléron is a commune in the French department Doubs in the Franche -Comté.

Geography

Cléron is located on 331 m above sea level, 7 km west of Ornans and about 17 km south of the city of Besançon (air line). The village is located in the Jura, in a valley widening of the Loue framed by different projections of the surrounding plateau, on the southern bank of the river, above the mouth of Ruisseau de Noirvaux.

The area of ​​14.56 km ² municipal area includes a portion of the western French Jura. The northern border is the Loue, which here flows in spiral course to the west and from left receives the streams Ruisseau de Valbois and Ruisseau de Noirvaux. From the river, the municipality's area extends southward into the valley widening and up into the deeply incised into the plateau of Amancey erosion valleys of Noirvaux and Valbois. Between the valleys reaches the resistive layer of scale on which the plateau is, from far to the north. It forms prominent projections, which are characterized by some high cliffs. To include the terrain projections of Grande Côte (524 m), and Lavoutre Barmaud ( with the Castel Saint -Denis ) to Cléron. With 563 m is reached on the wooded plateau of Lavoutre the highest elevation of Cléron.

To Cléron the hamlet Nahin include (400 m) on a terrace on the northern slopes of the Grande Côte over the Loue as well as some individual farms. Neighboring communities of Cléron are Scey- Maisières in the north, Chassagne -Saint -Denis and Flagey in the east, and Fertans Amondans in the south and Cademène in the West.

History

The etymology of the place name is not clear. He probably goes back to the Gallo-Roman personal name Clarius. Also the origin of the village lies largely in the dark. Written occupied the noble family of Cléron in the 12th century, which was responsible for the control of the Loue transition at the Salt Road from Salins- les- Bains to Besancon. In the first quarter of the 14th century, the lords of Cléron built following the lock, thus establishing the rule Cléron that remained in family hands until shortly before 1700. Together with the Franche -Comté reached the village with the Peace of Nijmegen in 1678 to France.

1972 Cléron was merged with Amondans, Fertans Malan and the greater community Amancey, but received in 1980 his independence back. Since 1993 Cléron is a member of the comprehensive 19 villages municipal association Communauté de communes Amancey - Loue - Lison.

Attractions

The most important attraction of the place is the mighty castle Cléron, which is on the south bank of the Loue. It was built around 1320 and acquired its present appearance in a massive expansion in the 16th century; Renovations and minor alterations were made in the 19th century. The castle with its square, high keep and four corner towers, surrounded by a beautiful park. Next to the castle is the Gothic church from the 14th century ( later modified ). Along with the stone arch bridge that spans the Loue, it forms an impressive ensemble. The ruins of the castle of Saint- Denis above Scey are also in the municipality of Cléron.

Population

With 314 inhabitants ( 1 January 2011) Cléron one of the small communities of the department of Doubs. After the population had decreased significantly in the first half of the 20th century (1881 471 persons were still counted ), a significant population increase has been recorded since the mid-1970s again.

Economy and infrastructure

Cléron was until well into the 20th century a predominantly by agriculture (crops, orchards and livestock ) and forestry embossed village. Today, there are some operations of small and medium industries, including a modern cheese factory and a tool manufacturer. Many workers are also commuters who engage in the larger towns in the vicinity of their work.

The village is located off the major thoroughfares of the secondary road D437 which leads from Besançon Levier. Further road links exist with Ornans and Amondans.