Gaillac

Gaillac is a town in the French department Tarn (81 ), located about 37 km north-east of Toulouse on the eponymous river, in the Midi-Pyrénées region. The city has 13,629 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) and is the capital of the canton.

History

The town's origins lie in the 10th century, when the Benedictine Abbey of St. Michel was founded on the banks of the Tarn. Located on the Camino Abbey existed until the French Revolution. The city itself benefited from its strategic position: the trade route from the Rouergue to Toulouse cruised here navigable Tarn, in turn, was the main trade route to Bordeaux on the Atlantic coast. To the prosperity of Gaillac also contributed to the viticulture and the cultivation of Pastel mentioned in woad. In the 16th century lived within the city walls already 3500 inhabitants.

In the wars of religion that remained Catholic Gaillac then experienced but great destruction. In the 18th century the city wall was broken down. Following the breakdown in 1800 of the French Department was created in 1790 Gaillac seat of an arrondissement. However, the decline of trade on the Tarn let the agrarian Gaillac in its meaning falling behind the evolving industrial cities of the Tarn as Graulhet or Carmaux. Only towards the end of the 20th century, the city was able to catch up again. This was attributable not least at the opening of the motorway to Toulouse in 1993. Through it Gaillac was almost a suburb of the regional metropolis. Since 1995, the socialists rule the previously conservative dominated city.

Coat of arms

Description: Azure, a cock under three beams pointing identified golden lilies.

Attractions

The significant buildings in the city are mostly dominated by south-west France brick architecture. The abbey church of St Michel is already occupied historically for the year 972, the original Romanesque building dates from the 13th century and underwent a Gothic perfection. After dissolution of the monastery and considerable destruction in the 16th century the church was built until the 18th century again. In the French Revolution, it came to secularization, the church was temporarily used as a warehouse. In the 19th century it was then restored with neo-Romanesque elements such as the superior portal of the west facade. The remaining abbey buildings were restored in the nineties of the 20th century. Today they house the Maison des Vins (House of wine from Gaillac ) and a city history museum. The cellars are still used for sparkling wine production.

The Church of St. Pierre, located in the old town main church of the city, dates back to the 10th century. The mighty stone bell tower dates from the 13th, the portal from the 14th century. It was also destroyed in the wars of religion.

In medieval secular buildings the tour Palmata with remains of paintings from the 13th century and the Hôtel Pierre de Brens (13th - 15th century), are emphasized.

The Place du Griffoul, which takes place on the weekly market, was originally surrounded by half-timbered arcades. In its center the Fontaine du Griffoul is made of bronze (early 17th century).

The Château de Foucaud, today Art Museum, also dates from the 17th century and has a Baroque garden. The classicist town hall was built on the site of a Capuchin monastery in the 19th century.

Economy

Gaillac is primarily known for its good ha 3700 comprehensive wine region. Some of the best locations in the Premieres Cotes, the first ascending from the valley of the Tarn slopes, lie on the boundary of the city. Industry, there is little, of some importance is merely a pharmaceutical plant, production facility of Laboratoires Pierre Fabre.

Gallery

Place du Griffoul with the Fontaine du Griffoul

Hôtel Pierre de Brens

Château de Foucaud

Sports

The most famous sports club in the city is the UA Gaillac, the Rugby Union plays and is represented in the second highest league Pro D2.

Personalities

Gaillac is the birthplace of

Joseph Vaissète (1685-1756), Benedictine monk and historian
Antoine Portal (1742-1832), physician and biologist, doctor of Louis XVIII. and Charles X.
Émilie de Vialar (1797-1856), canonized mystic and foundress
Jean Joseph Ange d' Hautpoul (1754-1807), Marshal of Napoleon, was born at the Château de Salettes about 10 km away.
Maurice de Guérin (1810-1839), writer of French Romanticism, and his sister
Eugénie de Guérin (1805-1848), also literary works, were at Château d' Andillac, just over 15 km north of Gaillac, born.

From Gaillac also comes the organ builder Cavaillé- Coll family.

Literature and links

Alain Soriano, Bertrand de Viviès: Gaillac et les Gaillacois. Vingt d' Histoire Siècles. Éditions Grand Sud, Albi 2006, ISBN 2-908778-55-6.

Official website of the City Gaillac
The wine of Gaillac

Community in the Tarn department
Place in Midi -Pyrénées

Arrondissement of Albi Cantons of France Postal codes in France Tarn (river) French formal garden Gaillac AOC Rugby Pro D2 Charles X of France Blaye-les-Mines Castelnau-de-Montmiral Cordes-sur-Ciel Lisle-sur-Tarn Montauriol (Tarn) Vieux (Tarn)

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