Hérisson

Hérisson is a commune with 634 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Allier in the Auvergne region. It is part of the arrondissement Montlucon, the Joint Authority Pays de Tronçais and capital of the canton Hérisson.

Geography

The municipality covers an area of ​​32.57 km ² is located at a bend of the river Aumance, a Nebenflusus of Cher on the southern edge of the Forêt de Tronçais, about 20 kilometers north of Montlucon.

History

The town was founded in the 5th century, after the Gallo-Roman predecessor settlement had been destroyed 475. Under cover of a donjon ( fortification ) is Hérission developed in the 11th century into a considerable commercial town. In the 12-13. Century built the Bourbons the castle into a mighty system of, bear witness to the still towering ruins of three towers. Until the 17th century, the castle with the town could hold against foes; 1652 the castle was destroyed by Jules Mazarin. Today you live here of agriculture and forestry and a not yet fully awakened tourism. 1999 lived in the town of 709 inhabitants.

Demographics

Attractions

• Medieval town with winding narrow streets and old houses (15th- 17th century)
• Ruins of Castle Hérisson, Monument historique
• Church of Saint- Pierre of Chateloy (Romanesque, 11th century), with frescoes ( restored ) from the 13th to the 17th century, Monument historique
• Bell tower of Saint-Sauveur church (13th century), Monument historique
• Chapel Saint- Étienne ( 15th century ), Monument historique
• Church of Our Lady (19th Century )
• Two fortified gates (Porte de la Rivière and Porte de Varenne, 11-12. Century), Monument historique
• Calvary Chapel (17th century) on a hill (20 min walk there)
• Musée du terroir hérissonnais
• Parc Louis Bignon
• Mill butoir

Church of Notre -Dame

Bell tower of Saint- Sauveur

Church of Saint- Pierre de Chateloy

Personalities

• Henri Harpignies, painter of the 19th century.