Sainte-Thérence

Sainte-Thérence
region	Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Department	Allier
Arrondissement	Montluçon
Canton	Montluçon-3
Community association	Montluçon Community
Coordinates	46 ° 15 ′  N , 2 ° 34 ′  E Coordinates: 46 ° 15 ′  N , 2 ° 34 ′  E
height	235-458 m
surface	13.14 km 2
Residents	184 (January 1, 2017)
Population density	14 inhabitants / km 2
Post Code	03420
INSEE code	03261
Church Sainte-Thérence

Sainte-Thérence ( Occitan : identical) is a central French city and a municipality ( commune ) with 184 inhabitants (at January 1, 2017) in the northwest of the department Allier and region Auvergne Rhône-Alpes .

location

The place Sainte-Thérence is at an altitude of about 400 meters above sea level. d. M. in the hilly and wooded landscape of the Combrailles in southern Bourbonnais . The place is located northwest of Clermont-Ferrand (a good 90 kilometers drive) or of Riom (about 75 kilometers); the city of Montluçon is only 18 kilometers north. Several hamlets and farmhouses belong to the community ; the river Cher forms the western boundary of the municipality.

Population development

year	1962	1968	1975	1982	1990	1999	2006	2012
Residents	242	204	179	147	156	188	198	202

In the 19th century the community usually had between 450 and 580 inhabitants. As a result of the phylloxera crisis in viticulture and the mechanization of agriculture , which resulted in the loss of many jobs, the number of residents has since declined continuously to the lows of the 1980s.

economy

For centuries, the residents of Sainte-Thérence lived as self-sufficient farmers from agriculture, which also included viticulture; in addition there were small trade and handicrafts. After the phylloxera crisis of the wine came decades to a standstill, but now again red, rose and white wines are produced in excess of the appellation Val-de-Loire are marketed. Many vacant houses have been converted into holiday apartments ( gîtes ).

history

In 1080 the place was still called Saint Julien de Neuville . The Romanesque church was built in the 12th century. According to a local legend, Thérence was a shepherdess who was stuck with her flock on the other side of the Cher River during a violent storm in the 13th century ; suddenly, however, the river parted and she was able to safely reach her home bank.

Attractions

Château de l'Ours

See also: List of Monuments historiques in Sainte-Thérence

• The parish church of Sainte-Thérence is a gem of Romanesque architecture from the Bourbonnais. The three apsidial east part is surmounted by a crossing tower with small twin windows that function as sound openings . The outer walls of the church are stabilized and structured by buttresses . The west facade is generally kept rather unadorned; the portal zone protrudes slightly from the wall line. The interior of the church has three naves and barrel vaults . Outside behind the choir is - according to local tradition - the stone grave with the relics of the shepherdess, who is venerated as a saint. The church has been recognized as a monument historique since 1935 .
• The medieval castle ruins of the Château de l'Ours ( 46 ° 15 ′ 38.6 ″  N , 2 ° 34 ′ 23.8 ″  E ) date from the 13th and 15th centuries; The round tower of the keep ( donjon ) is essentially preserved . The castle ruins were added to the list of Monuments historiques in 1995.

literature

• Le Patrimoine des Communes de l'Allier. Flohic Editions, Volume 2, Paris 1999, ISBN 2-84234-053-1 , pp. 651-653.

Web links

Commons : Sainte-Thérence  - collection of images, videos and audio files

• Sainte-Thérence, wine information (French)
• Sainte-Thérence, legend and places of interest - photos + info (French)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Église Sainte-Thérence, Sainte-Thérence in the Base Mérimée of the French Ministry of Culture (French)
2. ↑ Château de l'Ours, Sainte-Thérence in the Base Mérimée of the French Ministry of Culture (French)