Magnac-Lavalette-Villars

Magnac -Lavalette -Villars is a municipality with 450 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Charente region of France in the Poitou -Charentes. The municipality consists of the two formerly independent towns Magnac -Lavalette and Villars.

Location

The community Magnac -Lavalette -Villars is located at an altitude of about 180 meters above sea level. inst about 22 km ( driving distance ) south-east of Angoulême in the ancient cultural landscape of the Angoumois. The small stream Voultron flows through the municipal area.

Demographics

In the 19th century, the community had mostly between 500 and 700 inhabitants; due to the phylloxera crisis in the wine and the mechanization of agriculture of the population decreased since 1880 continuously from the lows in the 1960s and 1970s.

Economy

The residents of the community lived for centuries on the principles of self-sufficiency from agriculture; Market towns were much too far away. The soils of the community are highly forested ( Forêt d' nurseries ); However, they are still theoretically to the Bons Bois of the vineyard Cognac, but the paragraphs in expensive brandies and even with wine in recent decades tended to shrink, so that the wine is no longer important. Revenue from tourism, especially the rental of apartments ( gîtes ), are become much more important since the 1960s.

History

Although Magnac ( Manhaco ) is first mentioned in the 14th century, the Romanesque parish churches point to a longer settling time of both places, who together formed only in the 1970s to a community.

Attractions

• The Parish Church ( Église Saint- Étienne ) of Magnac -Lavalette dates from the 12th century. The exterior, with its flat closing apse and the transept crossing is designed completely unadorned and makes a valiant impression. The portal on the north side with its non-profiled Archivolts is captured by a narrow diamond rod; it is the only member of the Church, which is recognized as a monument historique since 1926.
• The also unadorned and almost castle- like configured western part of the parish church of Villars also leaves an impression fortified. The building is - built of unhewn quarry stone almost - with the exception of the cornerstones and window frames. The side of the church is a Calvary or Hosanna Cross.
• Located on the side of a hill (45 ° 30 '6 " N, 0 ° 14 ' 30" O45.5016666666670.24166666666667 ), this architectural ensemble of the Château de la Tailors consists of a built in neo-Gothic style in the late 19th century main house and several - of a brothers in the 1940s to 1970s on a large surface area taken in attack - annex buildings in the Renaissance style, but they are all unfinished. The entire building complex should be one of the Versailles Charente be '. The castle is privately owned and is recognized as a monument historique since 2012. An adjoining arboretum with a rose garden, however, is open to the public.