Pontorson

Pontorson is a commune in the department of Manche in Basse-Normandie region. The city is the administrative center of the canton Pontorson with 10 municipalities and 6617 inhabitants, in the arrondissement of Avranches. The town itself has a population of 4138 (as of 1 January 2011).

Geography

Pontorson is 9 kilometers from Mont -Saint -Michel, 22 kilometers from Avranches and 45 km from Granville. Situated in the middle of the bay of Mont St Michel, benefited Pontorson and its surroundings from the oceanic embossed temperate climate. The town is bordered by the River Couesnon, a southern swamp area and a 4800 acre polder from the hinterland. The Couesnon also also flows through the town.

History

The city was founded in the 12th century after a vow of William the Conqueror. It was initially an important place at the gates of Brittany. Here was also the castle of Pontorson, the 1623 arrangement of Louis XIII. which was razed. Some ruins of this era can still be seen, such as the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Hotel de la Guischard Ménardière and the old hospital of St. Antoine, Charité Pontorson. Foundations of the city were discovered, among other things during the construction of a roundabout near Campion and at the site of the former motorcycle and bicycle company Videloup.

In 1030 aggravated flood crossing the Couesnon. Robert le Diable, the cousin of William the Conqueror, ruled out that Captain Orson had to build a bridge across the river.

Management

List of mayors:

Louis -Julien -Marie Tanguy
Felix Loyer, notary
1995-2001: Joël Lerognon
Since 2001: Patrick Lariviere, pharmacist

Demographics

Twinning

Since 1968 Pontorson twinned with the German town of Wassenberg, which was expanded in 2010 to a three-way partnership with the British Highworth.

Culture and sights

Sights include the church of Notre Dame is one of the 11th and 12th centuries, it was built as the result of a vow of William the Conqueror by the same people as the Mont Saint -Michel. In Romanesque and early Gothic style dominates its surroundings by its powerful appearance and by the two Romanesque towers and various sculptures decorated the entrance.

Furthermore, there is an old Protestant church and former tithe barn. It is a rare witness of an important portion of the history of Normandy. The church is the only Protestant building Manche before the revocation of the Edict of Nantes.

House Guischard de la Ménardière (called the " Roman House " ): this building was probably built in the 12th century. Despite various modifications in the 14th, 15th and 18th centuries it has retained the face of a manor, on which one can read the inscription on the Guischard Family ( 1719).

The former seat of the Earls of Montgomery is now a hotel and restaurant. The floors, the painted ceilings, the woodwork and the grand staircase are also witnesses of this era.

The old station of Pontorson, which illustrates the important role of the railway in the city's history.

The mill of Moidrey from the year 1806. Early 2000 was completely overhauled and restored. Today there flour is milled again.

Festivals and Events

Beginning of May, there is the partnership celebration.
On the first weekend in March, the classic car market takes place. There you can exchange rare model cars, books and more.
On the 3rd weekend in September, the Antiquarian Book Fair will be conducted; an exhibition on the history of Pontorson held by the municipal archives.
The anniversary of the city of Saint Michel is celebrated on the last weekend in September.

Economy and infrastructure

Large companies:

Charles Amand
Briques et Bois
Manoir aux Abeille
AGRIAL

Personalities

Du Guesclin, army commander during the Hundred Years War
Gabriel de Lorges, Mr. Ducey and that man, by whose hand King Henry II of France died
Victor Louis Cuguen (1889-1969), painter, born in Pontorson ( in the Rue Hervé ). He was a member of the Academy of Var and presented in numerous galleries in the Toulon region and in Normandy and Brittany from.
Émile Lemarié the country Elles, a painter in the 19th century, born in Pontorson, was a pupil of Jean -Léon Gérôme.
Auguste Chapdelaine (1814-1856), Christian martyr, was Vicar of Boucey.
Léon Teisserenc de Bort (1855-1913), conducted from 1879 to 1892 the weather service. In 1898 he discovered the stratosphere, after sending up 236 balloons in measuring a height of 8 to 12 km.

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