Pontarlier

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Administration
Commune of Pontarlier Downtown Pontarlier
Location
Longitude	06° 21' 20" E
Latitude	46° 54' 24" N
Country	France
Region	Franche-Comté
Department	Doubs (sous-préfecture)
Arrondissement	Pontarlier
Canton	Pontarlier
Intercommunality	Communauté de Communes du Larmont
Mayor	Patrick Genre
Statistics
Altitude	811–1,323 m (avg. 837 m)
Land area¹	41.35 km²
Population² (1999)	18.360
Miscellaneous
INSEE/Postal code	25462/ 25300
¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 mi² or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
² Population sans doubles comptes: single count of residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel).

Triomphal arch of the Porte Saint-Pierre

Pontarlier is a commune of eastern France, one of the two sous-préfectures of the Doubs département located in the Franche-Comté région. Population: 19,000 (called the Pontissalien(s) and the Pontissalienne(s)).

1 History
2 Famous personalities
3 Monuments
4 Twin cities
5 External links

[edit] History

Pontarlier was famous for the production of absinthe until its ban in 1915. The distilleries switched over to producing pastis. With the ban partially lifted distilleries are once again producing absinthe in Pontarlier.

Pontarlier was also a pionnière city of aviation. The first page of the aeronautical history of Pontarlier was written in on October 29, 1910 by Auguste Junod has edge of his Farman biplane of 50 cv. This first flight caused the admiration of very many crowd come to admire this magic machine. On July 2 of the following year, were marked by arrived of 2 other machines has Pontarlier to carry out the first air meeting of Franche-Comté. This event attracted approximately 10.000 people. The aero club of Pontarlier was created only 20 years later, on March 12, 1930 by a handle of impassioned aviation. At that time, the association, chaired by Mr. Eugène Thévenin do not have yet plane, for lack of sufficient funds. Their actions will thus limit yourself in propaganda in order to join together money. On May 13, 1934 was a great day for the aero club, with arrived of the first plane, a POTEZ 43, monoplane-three-seater of 100 CV baptized for the occasion "Ville de Pontarlier". A whole generation of apparatuses followed in continuation this precursor. Today, the aeroclub took true flies away and for an aero club of province it is well equipped: 2 track of 1000 m whose one into hard and the other out of grass, as well as fleet of 4 plane of all type, has wing high, has wings low, two-seater, three-seater or four-seater.

[edit] Famous personalities

Edgar Faure, académicien (1978-1988) and president of the Council (1955-1956), was major of Pontarlier between 1971 and 1978 ;
Philippe Grenier, physician, republican converted to islam, was born in 1865 in Pontarlier and was député on the city ;
Xavier Marmier, writer and poet, born in 1808 in Pontarlier ;
Robert Fernier, painter, founder of the Salon des Annonciades
Pierre Bichet, painter, born in Pontarlier and resident of the city.
Vincent Defrasne, (b. March 9, 1977), biathlete, Olympic gold medal winner.
Florence Baverel-Robert, (b. Florence Baverel on May 24 1974), biathlete, Olympic gold medal winner.

[edit] Monuments

Triomphal arch of the Porte Saint-Pierre (18th century) ;
Gate of the ancient church of the Annonciades (18th century) ;
Stained glass created in 1976 by painter Alfred Manessier for Saint-Bénigne Church;
Municipal museum, place d'Arçon ;
Espera museum of Franco Sbarro : car design, prototypes, engines.