Pontarlier

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Coordinates: 46°54′24″N 6°21′20″E / 46.90667, 6.35556

Administration
Commune of Pontarlier

Downtown Pontarlier
Location

Country	France
Region	Franche-Comté
Department	Doubs (sous-préfecture)
Arrondissement	Pontarlier
Canton	Pontarlier (chief town)
Intercommunality	CdC du Larmont
Mayor	Patrick Genre
Statistics
Elevation	811–1,323 m (avg. 837 m)
Land area^¹	41.35 km²
Population^² (1999)	18,360
- Density	444/km² (1999)
Miscellaneous
INSEE/Postal code	25462/ 25300
¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
² Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel) only counted once.

Triomphal arch of the Porte Saint-Pierre

Pontarlier (Latin: Ariolica) 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 Aviation
3 Famous personalities
4 Monuments
5 Twin cities
6 See also
7 External links
8 References

[edit] History

Pontarlier occupies the ancient Roman station of Ariolica, in Gallia and is placed in the Tables on the road from Urba (modern Orbe, Canton Vaud, Switzerland), to Vesontio (modern Besançon). Although the distances in the Antonine Itinerary do not agree with the real distances, French geographer D'Anville recognized a transposition of the numbers. The Theodosian Tabula names the place "Abrolica", what Smith states as a possible error of transcription.

The city of Pontarlier is briefly mentioned in Victor Hugo's Les Misérables. It was to this city that convict Jean Valjean was to report for his parole after being released from the gallies. Breaking these instructions is a major turning point in the novel, and also creates some major conflict for Valjean later in the story.

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.

[edit] Aviation

Pontarlier was also a pionnière city of aviation. The beginning of the aeronautical history of Pontarlier took place on October 29, 1910 by Auguste Junod has edge of his Farman biplane of 50 cv. This first flight caused the admiration of the large crowd that had come to admire this magic machine. July 2 of the following year was marked by the arrival 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 did not yet have a plane for lack of sufficient funds. Their actions were thus limited to propaganda in order to raise money. May 13, 1934 was a great day for the aero club, with the arrival 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 of 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 planes of all types, 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

Triumphal 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.