Langres
Encyclopedia : L : LA : LAN : Langres
| Langres | |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Région | Champagne-Ardenne |
| Départment | Haute-Marne (sous-préfecture) |
| Arrondissement | Langres |
| Canton | Langres (chief town) |
| INSEE | 52269 |
| Postal Code | 52200 |
| Mayor Current Term | Christian Nolot 2001-2008 |
| Intercommunality | Communauté de communes de l'Étoile de Langres |
| Longitude | 05° 20' 02" E |
| Latitude | 47° 51' 48" N |
| Altitudes | average : 475 m minimum : n. c. maximum : n. c. |
| Area | 22.33 km² |
| Population without double-counting | 9,586 inhab. (1999) |
| Population Density | 429.3 inhab./km² |
Langres is a city and commune of eastern France. It is a sous-préfecture of the Haute-Marne département, in the Champagne-Ardenne région.
History
As the capital of the Romanized Celtic tribe the Lingones, it was called Andematunnum, then Lingones, and now Langres.
The town is built on a limestone promontory of the same name. This stronghold was originally occupied by the Gauls, and, at a later date the Romans fortified the town belonging to the Celtic tribe the Lingones; Andemantunum the strategic cross-roads of twelve Romans roads. The 1st century Triumphal Gate and the many artefacts exhibited in the museums are witnesses to the Gallo-Roman town.
After the period of invasions, the town prospered in the Middle Ages due, in part to the growing political influence of its bishops. The diocese covered Champagne, the Duchy of Burgundy and Franche-Comté, and the bishops gained the right to coin money in the 9th century and to name the military governor of the city in 927. The Bishop of Langres was a duke and peer of France. The troubled 14th and 15th centuries were reason enough for the town to strengthen its fortifications, which still give the old part of the city its fortified character, and Langres entered a period of royal tutelage. The Renaissance, which returned prosperty to the town, saw the construction of numerous fine civil, religious and military buildings that still stand today. In the 19th century, a "Vauban" citadel was added.
Highlights
Today Langres is a unique historical town with numerous art treasures within the ancient defensive walls surrounding the old city (3.5 km), including a dozen towers and seven gates.
The cathedral of Saint-Mammès is a late 12th-century structure dedicated to Mammès of Caesarea, a third-century martyr. [Langres Cathedral:[link],[link]]
Miscellaneous
Births
Langres was the birthplace of:
- Jeanne Mance (1606-1673), the co-founder of Montréal
- Claude Gillot (1673-1722), painter
- Denis Diderot (1713-1784), the philosopher of the Age of Enlightement, and the editor-in-chief of the Encyclopédie.
- Jules Violle (1841-1923), physicist and inventor
Twin towns
Langres is twinned with:
- Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England - since 1995
- Ellwangen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany - since 1964
- Abbiategrasso, Lombardy, Italy
External links
- [Catholic Encyclopedia:] Diocese of Langres
- [Langres official website] (in French)
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