Lavieu

Lavieu is a commune with 97 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) in the Loire department in the Rhône -Alpes. It belongs to the district Montbrison and the canton of Saint -Jean- Soleymieux.

Geography

Lavieu is located about 30 kilometers northwest of Saint- Étienne at the headwaters of Mare Creek Curraize. The westward rising terrain to Lavieu is part of the historical province of Forez, which forms the transition from the Loire Valley to the north-western Massif Central. To Lavieu include the districts

  • La Côte in the Northeast,
  • Trémolin and
  • Beauvoir in the southeast.

The village Lavieu was applied to the southern side of a 734 meter high mountain cone. The highest point in the municipality is the 769 meter high summit Le Suc south of the core site. Lavieu borders the following municipalities:

  • Lézigneux in the North
  • Margerie Chantagret the east and south
  • Chazelles- sur- Lavieu in the West.

History

Lavieu was in the 11th century seat of a Châtellenie, a castellan. This was under the Count of Forez. The castellans or lords established a noble family, the house Lavieu. Among the remains of the castle is a semi- collapsed tower and some ruined walls. The earliest records of the castle date back to the year 970 In 1828, the municipality of Saint -Montagne -en- Lavieu was incorporated by Lavieu.

Population

With 97 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) Lavieu one of the smallest municipalities in the region Rhône -Alpes. After the population had decreased in the first half of the 20th century (1911 were still counted 229 inhabitants ), one recorded since the late 1960s, again a slight population growth.

Economy, infrastructure

The traditionally important branch in Lavieu is agriculture ( dairy farming, cereal and fodder production ). In addition, there is a woodworking and small service businesses. Lavieu is located off of the nationally important transport lines. In just ten kilometers distant city Montbrison made ​​connections to the national road network, including on the Autoroute A72 ( A89 -Saint- Étienne ). From Montbrison trains go to Saint -Etienne, Lyon and Clermont -Ferrand.

Attractions

  • Church of Saint -Jacques -le- Majeur ( St. James the Greater )
  • Ruins of the castle and a chapel from the 11th century
Arrondissement Arrondissement of Montbrison Cantons of France Postal codes in France France Montbrison (Loire) A72 autoroute A89 autoroute
501676
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