Montesquieu-des-Albères

Montesquieu -des- Albères (Catalan and Occitan: Montesquiu d' Albera ) is a commune with 1185 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Pyrénées- Orientales of the Languedoc -Roussillon region.

Etymology

The place was formerly called Vilanova ( 854 ). The name of Montesquieu is first handed back to 1587.

Location

Montesquieu -des- Albères is in the up to 1000 meters high mountain chain of the Alberes a western foothills of the Pyrenees. From Perpignan is 35 km ( driving distance ) south of Elne about 20 km to the southwest. The two small towns of St- André -de- Sorède and Saint- Genis-des -Fontaines with its famous Romanesque tympana are approximately 13 kilometers and 7 kilometers northeast of Montesquieu.

Demographics

The steady increase in population is due to the fact that some French have built around small retirement homes and live there now.

Economy

In addition some farming and wine growing, but essentially serve only the self-sufficiency, the residents of Montesquieu retirees and other immigrants from other parts of France to live.

History

In antiquity, the Via Domitia led past a few kilometers to Montesquieu; in the neighboring village of Ste -Marie- du- Vilar, there are still remnants of a Roman watchtower. Around the year 1080 a castle was built in the vicinity of Montesquieu, bear witness to the ruins. The Church of St- Saturnin was built a little later. From the year 1385 a message is received by the sale of several villages ( barony, French baronnie ) to Berengar III. reports of Oms. The Oms family remained masters of Montesquieu until 1682 when it was decided in a process that should the barony to the French crown, that is, to Louis XIV fall. In the time of the French Revolution, that is, in 1793 /4, Spanish troops occupied the city in the hope of being able to win the Roussillon again. In the Battle of Boulou (1 May 1794), these hopes came to an end.

Attractions

Church of Saint- Saturnin

Other

• On a hill in the town center are the ruins of the medieval castle (château ). The lower part of the keep is still recognizable.
• In the local museum ( visits on request) smaller exhibits from the last 2000 years are exhibited.

Twinning

Montesquieu -des- Albères maintains a twinning with Biure d' Emporda, Catalonia.