Saint-Chaptes

Saint- Chaptes is a commune with 1697 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Gard in the Languedoc- Roussillon region.

Geography

Saint- Chaptes located 16 kilometers northwest of Nîmes and twelve kilometers southwest of Uzes on the southern edge of the Cevennes. The municipality is crossed by Gardon and the streams Auriol and Devois. The neighboring municipalities of Saint- Chaptes are Saint- Dézéry in the north, Garrigues -Sainte -Eulalie in the East, Sainte -Anastasie, Dion and La Calmette in the south, Saint- Geniès -de- Malgoirès in the southwest and Sauzet and Moussac in the West.

Culture

History

The territory was inhabited in ancient times by people who built pile dwellings on the Gardon. 1928 was found from this period with a menhir from the Copper Age also a religious testimony. Because this was associated with a grave condition, he is regarded as an indication of an active funeral culture at that time. Also from the Roman period are numerous findings that evidence of a settlement at that time. In 1121 Saint- Chaptes was first mentioned under the name of Villa Sancta Agatha. The town benefited in its further development, particularly of the situation on the Gardon, which makes the surrounding land fertile. In addition, the village of Nimes, Uzes, Ales and Anduze was surrounded by four major cities of the Middle Ages. Mentioned in 1535 under the name Sancte Agate, the place obtained in 1615 the name Saint- Chates. Thus, a change of patronage took place, where the old and the new female patron is male. A document from 1698 shows that it was at Sainte-Agathe still concerned about the official name, but this was replaced colloquially by Saint- Chat. With the French Revolution, the latter was in the spelling of Saint- Chaptes the legal name of the place. The village has always been dominated by agriculture and especially wine growing, which is why the phylloxera in the late 19th century had a particularly severe impact on the local economy.

Demographics

Attractions

The castle of Saint - Chaptes in the southeast of the town was 1217 target of looting. The enlarged in the 14th century, it belonged to a long time Guillaume de Nogaret and his heirs before they lost it in the 18th century by royal decree. Because the castle was destroyed during the French Revolution, only a few elements from the Middle Ages have been preserved. These include some loopholes, a vaulted room and a gargoyle.

In 1212 the tower Tour de Gatigne was built to another castle later came to around. The castle during the Middle Ages, a Coming of the Knights Templar dar. It was then first in possession of the French king in 1306, Guillaume de Nogaret gave it. From then on the castle had several owners. After the French Revolution, a chapel was built. In addition, it has an elaborate fireplace. The tower was renovated in the 19th century.

In the village center are located next to a Catholic and a Protestant church a few historical buildings. In addition, there is a bullring.