Grez-Neuville

Grez- Neuville is a commune with 1483 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ), which consists of two towns on opposite banks of the river Mayenne.

Location

Grez- Neuville is located about 50 meters above sea level. inst at the Mayenne about 25 kilometers northwest of the city of Angers.

Demographics

The continuing population growth in recent decades is due to the proximity to the city Angers and the comparatively low rents and land prices.

History

After the reorganization of the village Neuville in the 9th century, Grez had been incorporated in the 11th century. The names of the two towns are derived from the Latin Nova Villa and Greto or greio.

Grez- Neuville belonged in times of the ancien régime, despite its double name, and in spite of the two separate villages only a single parish. Two-thirds of its members lived in Neuville, the rest in Grez. 1688 the community had 193 inhabitants, in 1790 there were 1269, which roughly corresponds to today's population.

The impression of a fortified building, the large mill that dominates the weir on the Mayenne. The production of oil and flour was set in 1955; since it is home to a dairy. Near the weir there was a bridge to the 15th century. After she had collapsed, there was only a ferry to the construction of the present iron bridge in 1880.

Economy

In the center of economic activity was always already agriculture, which served the self-sufficiency originally. Important source of income was also in the past, the construction of barges for the transport of goods on inland waters. Vacationers can rent still one of the narrow Penichettes and thus the Mayenne navigate upstream or downstream to the confluence with Loir and Sarthe today.

Attractions

In both villages to find residential buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries. Places of interest in Neuville rectory dating from the 18th century, Le Grand Logis 18th century, and the art gallery L' aquarelle. In Grez, there is the private chapel of Saint Jacques, a priory with tower Le Vieux Logis ) and a towpath towards the park the Isle Briand.

Showpiece in Grez is the hl. Martin consecrated Vertou church of Saint- Martin -de- Vertou. The church hall was built of sandstone was consecrated in the 12th century and rebuilt several times over the centuries and expanded. The roof rafters is covered with panels; the Baroque main altar and two side altars date from the 18th century.

Images from Grez

Church of Saint -Martin -de- Vertou

Church of Saint -Martin -de- Vertou

Old apartment buildings opposite the church

Images from Neuville

Residence on the edge