Macon

For other places called Macon, see Macon

Mâcon
Country	France
Région	Bourgogne
Départment	Saône-et-Loire (préfecture)
Arrondissement	Mâcon
Canton	Chief town of 3 cantons
INSEE	71270
Postal Code	71000
Mayor Current Term	Jean-Patrick Courtois 2001-2008
Intercommunality	Communauté d'Agglomération du Mâconnais Val de Saône (CAMVAL)
Longitude	04° 49' 57" E
Latitude	46° 18' 26" N
Altitudes	average : 175 m minimum : 167 m maximum : 347 m
Area	27.04 km²
Population without double-counting	34,469 inhab. (1999)
Population Density	1,275 inhab./km²

Mâcon is a commune of France, préfecture (capital) of the Saône-et-Loire département, in the Bourgogne region.

Contents

1 Geography
2 History
3 Economy
4 Miscellaneous

4.1 Twinned towns

5 See also
6 External links

Geography

Mâcon is located on the Saône River, north of Lyon. It has an area of 27.04 km². Average altitude: 175 m.

History

For the ecclesiastcial history, see bishopric of Mâcon

From Matisco to the present day… The foundation of ancient Matisco dates back to the 2nd century B.C. The city very soon became a busy crossroad. Border between the Kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire from 843 to 1600, Mâcon prospered thanks to the customs duties that were established. Mâcon was a Huguenot stronghold in the 16th century. In 1790, Mâcon became the capital of the "département of Saône-et-Loire" and saw the birth of one of its most famous inhabitants: Alphonse de Lamartine. The Resistance was particularly active here during World War II and Mâcon was the first town in the French zone between Paris and Lyon.

[Mâcon Cathedral:[link]]

[Mâcon Town Hall:[link]]

Economy

The area produces wines, including Pouilly-Fuissé. The town also has foundries and plants that manufacture motorcycles, electrical equipment and clothing. The town is also a touristy place with its river bank (with the Saône river), its old center and notably the "Maison de Bois" which was built in the 15th century.

Miscellaneous

Mâcon was the birthplace of Alphonse de Lamartine (1790-1869), writer, poet and politician.

The Baby of Mâcon is a 1993 film directed by Peter Greenaway.

Twinned towns

Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, Germany - since June 26, 1956
Crewe and Nantwich, United Kingdom - since 1957
Overijse, Belgium - since August 28, 1960
Macon, Georgia, United States - since 1972
Lecco, Italy - since May 12, 1973
Alcazar de San Juan, Spain - since March 15, 1980
Eger, Hungary - since May 11, 1985
Pori, Finland - since May 11, 1990
Santo Tirso, Portugal - since June 20, 1992

External links

[City council website] and [mirror site] (in French)
[Tourist office website]
[Virtual visit]
[Mâcon library] (in French)

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