Machecoul

Machecoul ( Gallo Machecoul, Machikoul Breton ) is a commune with 5950 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Loire -Atlantique in the Pays de la Loire and capital of the canton of the same name. It is located in the countryside of the Pays de Retz, on the banks of the river Falleron.

History

Machecoul belonged to the lords of Rays ( Retz ).

1055 built Harscoët I. de Rays, the church of Saint -Jean -Baptiste, who became the church of Sainte - Croix.

1404 Gilles de Rais was born at the castle Machecoul, where he used to torture and murder young boys later.

From March 11 1793 to April 22, 1793, came during the beginning of the revolt in the Vendée on the massacres of Machecoul the royalists to the Republicans.

Sons and daughters of the town

Mickaël Landreau, football goalkeeper