Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie

Saint- Gilles- Croix- de -Vie is a commune with 7322 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Vendée in the Pays de la Loire. It belongs administratively to the arrondissement Les Sables d'Olonne and the canton of Saint- Gilles- Croix -de- Vie, whose capital it is.

Geography

The community is located 65 kilometers (direct distance) south-west of Nantes. The Ile d' Yeu, 34 km west in the Atlantic. Neighboring municipalities of Saint- Gilles- Croix- de -Vie are:

• Saint- Hilaire -de- Riez in the west and north,
• Le Fenouiller in the Northeast,
• Givrand in the east and
• Bretignolles -sur -Mer in the south east.

In the south, the municipality borders the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean. In the local area of the river Vie flows into the sea after it has just about reached its left tributary Jaunay.

History

The village was founded by the merger of up to 1967 independent municipalities of Saint -Gilles- sur -Vie and Croix- de -Vie. The inhabitants are called since Gillocruciens.

Attractions

• The church of Saint -Gilles was born in the 14th and 15th centuries and was revised in the 19th century in the style of the Flamboyant and Renaissance. The north side of the nave and the church tower from the construction of the church building are classified as a monument historique ( inscrit ). The vault of the ship and the keystones date from the 16th and 17th centuries. The windows are modern.
• In the cemetery of the church of Saint -Gilles Croix Hosannière There is a 16th century grave stones from the 15th to the 17th century.

Museums

The Musée maraîchin shows local folklore, furniture and costumes.

Economy

Main industry is tourism. When fishing port of Saint- Gilles- Croix- de -Vie in France is the sixth in terms of landed fish tonnage. Saint- Gilles was once a leader in the catching and processing of sardines.

Twinning

Saint- Gilles- Croix- de -Vie since 2006 has been twinned with Luanco, a town of the Spanish community Gozon, Asturias.