Avallon
| Avallon | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| region | Bourgogne-Franche-Comté | |
| Department | Yonne | |
| Arrondissement | Avallon ( sub-prefecture ) | |
| Canton | Avallon ( chief lieu ) | |
| Community association | Avallon, Vezelay, Morvan | |
| Coordinates | 47 ° 29 ′ N , 3 ° 54 ′ E | |
| height | 163-369 m | |
| surface | 26.75 km 2 | |
| Residents | 6,572 (January 1, 2017) | |
| Population density | 246 inhabitants / km 2 | |
| Post Code | 89200 | |
| INSEE code | 89025 | |
| Website | www.ville-avallon.fr | |
 Downtown view |
||
Avallon is a French commune and seat of the sub-prefecture of the arrondissement of the same name in the Yonne department in the Bourgogne region ( Bourgogne-Franche-Comté ). Avallon has 6572 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2017).
history
Avallon was developed as a Gallic fortress of the Haeduer around 2000 years ago and, due to its location on a granite plateau above the valley of the river Cousin, proved to be of strategic importance. At that time it was called Aballo . In the 1st century AD, Roman traders set up an outpost over the cousin.
After the defeat of the Anglo-Roman army king Riothamus in AD 470 against the Goths , Avallon became his refuge, where he probably also died. The life of this king and legends about his historical figure made him one of the models for the early medieval Arthurian legend. During the High Middle Ages, Avallon was developed into an important fortress and was surrounded by a high city wall reinforced by numerous towers.
During the period of absolutism Avallon lost its importance, at the time of the French Revolution agriculture was the most important economic factor in the region. When the enthusiasm for medieval cityscapes increased with the Romantic era in the 19th century , Avallon developed into an important center of tourism , which it has remained to this day.
administration
Avallon extends over an area of 26.75 km² (2675 ha) and is the capital of the municipality of the same name and the arrondissement of Avallon. Mayor has been Jean-Yves Caullet since 2001 and the term of office lasts until 2020.
economy
In addition to tourism , the production of confectionery is an important economic factor: the natural products of the Morvan are sometimes processed in factories to make famous pastry and candy specialties. There are also companies for agricultural implements and leather processing, as well as forest and agricultural companies.
The largest company in Avallon, with 600 employees, is the Pneu Laurent tire plant, which retreads tires for trucks.
Attractions
- Remparts d'Avallon : medieval city walls
- Tour de l'Horloge : clock tower
- Musée de l'Avallonnais
- St-Lazare Collegiate Church
- St. Martin
- The Musée du Costume in the Palais du Condé shows dresses, accessories and costumes from the 17th to 20th centuries
