Nersac

Nersac is a municipality with 2476 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Charente region of France in the Poitou -Charentes.

Location

Nersac located in the metropolitan area of Angoulême in the ancient cultural landscape of the Angoumois, about twelve kilometers ( driving distance ) southwest of the city on the south bank of the Charente at a height of about 40 meters above sea level. inst.

Demographics

In the 19th century the population of about 1,000 rose to over 1,400. Due to the proximity to the city Angoulême and comparatively cheaper property prices, the population of the community has since grown to about 2,500 inhabitants.

Economy

The town and its surroundings were dominated for centuries for agriculture. In the early modern era emerged on the banks of the Charente several paper mills, one of which produces a still high-quality paper that is used by the Bibliothèque nationale for the restoration of old books.

History

The Romanesque church suggests the existence of a not insignificant medieval settlement. The heyday of the site by the presence of several paper mills since the 17th century, some of which produced until the 20th century.

Attractions

• Built from precisely hewn limestone Romanesque parish church ( Église Saint- Pierre ) dates from the 12th century; however, it was Gothicised in the 13th century in part. The west facade has a multi- tiered arched portal with selected columns, but without any jewelry of Archivolts sheets and the Tympanonfeldes. Above the portal a slim arched, that is, Gothic window. The facade is framed on each side of graded both in height and in depth buttresses with profiled accompanying services. Below the transverse -mounted and completely decor -less rectangular gable, which gives the church a wehrfaftes appearance, runs a console frieze. The church has already been recognized in 1925 as a monument historique.
• Today's town hall ( mairie ) is located directly next to the church at the Château de la Foucaudie. This castle was originally built in the 16th century - it still point to the built of only rough-hewn quarry stone round towers at the back and the weir bay ( bretèches ) at the lateral towers on the front; However, the present façade dates mainly from the 18th ( middle part ) and 19th century ( stairs).
• The Château de Fleurac is located about halfway between Nersac and the neighboring municipality of Saint- Michel ( 45 ° 38 ' 26 " N, 0 ° 5' 8" O45.6405555555560.085555555555556 ). It is a building of the 16th century, with profound changes after destruction in the time of the Wars of Religion ( 1562-1598 ); noteworthy is the roof and towerless overall picture, remember the moat ( douve ) and battlements of medieval castle architecture. Overall, it resembles the about the same time built Château de Chesnel in the community Cherves -Richemont, whose builder was from the same family. The castle was recognized in 1988 as a monument historique.
• The Moulin de Fleurac is located close to the castle on the banks of the Charente. It was originally a grain and oil mill from the 16th century, but this was almost built from scratch in the late 19th century. The mill was converted into a paper mill in 1978, but a few years later it passed into the possession of the church and was recognized in 1988 as a monument historique. Today it houses a museum on the history of papermaking.
• The Moulin Papart was originally an operation for felting. At the turn of the 20th century it was converted into a paper mill. Also, she is on the inventory list of Monuments historiques since 1991.

Partner community

• Cocentaina, Alicante, Spain