Aubenas

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Aubenas
Aubenas coat of arms
Aubenas (France)
Aubenas
region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Department Ardèche
Arrondissement Largentière
Canton Aubenas-1
Aubenas-2
Community association Basin d'Aubenas
Coordinates 44 ° 37 '  N , 4 ° 23'  E Coordinates: 44 ° 37 '  N , 4 ° 23'  E
height 170-421 m
surface 14.32 km 2
Residents 12,172 (January 1, 2017)
Population density 850 inhabitants / km 2
Post Code 07200
INSEE code 07019
Website www.aubenas.fr

View over Aubenas

Aubenas is a city in France in the Ardèche department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region with 12,172 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2017).

The city received the Europe Prize in 1963 .

On the national road N 102 , near Aubenas, is the Auberge Rouge , the inn that Honoré de Balzac inspired for his eponymous story . The inhabitants are called Albenassiens and Albenassiennes .

Until its dissolution as part of the nationwide reorganization of the cantons in 2015, Aubenas was the capital of the canton of Aubenas .

geography

Aubenas is located on a hill in the valley of the Ardèche river , north and west of Aubenas are the mountain ranges of the Massif Central . The city is located between Montélimar and Le Puy-en-Velay , on one of the oldest trade routes between the Rhone Valley and the Auvergne . The privileged location in the center of the department leads to a mixture of different branches of business in agriculture and industry.

history

The name Aubenas is derived from the Latin word Alb , which means root, but in this case also serves as a description of the hill on which Aubenas was built (cf. Latin Albenate ). The limestone plateau on which Aubenas lies offers a sweeping panoramic view of the Ardèche valley.

The hill on which Aubenas was built was first mentioned in the 5th century AD. In the early Middle Ages there was a conflict between the rival bishops of Viviers and those of Le Puy-en-Velay over the building of a fortress.

Aubenas Castle

In 1084 the bishops of Le Puy-en-Velay won the fight and made the area around Aubenas the seat of the Baron von Montlaur, whose empire now extended to the western border of today's department. His family ruled until 1441. They built a rampart and a castle for the town, which is surrounded by a moat. Under their rule, the city was called "Cité de Montlaur", which it still holds today.

Aubenas was also known as the city without water until the 19th century, before water was pumped into the city area from a remote spring on June 28, 1863 under the supervision of General John Mathon. The Ardèche, whose river bed is mostly dry in the hot summer months, could not supply Aubenas with sufficient drinking water and it is a long way to the river sources in the Cevennes .

Population development
year 1962 1968 1975 1982 1990 1999 2009 2017
Residents 9235 10,763 12,050 11,543 11,105 11.013 11,365 12,172

economy

Aubenas is the seat of the "Chambre de commerce et d'industrie Ardèche Méridionale" and the "Center de formation d'apprentis" (CFA).

Today the city lives mainly from tourism and the food processing of cheese and chestnuts . Only a few residents are still active in agriculture.

The place is considered the gateway to the Regional Natural Park of Monts d'Ardèche ( Parc naturel régional des Monts d'Ardèche ).

Attractions

Dôme Saint-Benoit

The Aubenas Castle was built in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries. From the donjon you have a very good view of the Ardeche valley.

In France, it was elevated to the status of a historic monument and is now home to the town hall, which boasts large exhibitions of paintings, sculptures and ancient stone engravings. The castle rises at the highest point in the city.

Significant ecclesiastical buildings are the Saint-Laurent church and the Dôme Saint-Benoit , a domed church from the 18th century that used to be the chapel of an old Benedictine convent.

The house La Maison aux Gargouilles is located near the castle and dates back to the 16th century.

Personalities

Community partnerships

Aubenas has partnerships with the following municipalities:

Web links

Commons : Aubenas  - collection of images, videos and audio files