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Candes-Saint-Martin |
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| Candes-Saint-Martin, view over the Loire. | |
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Candes-Saint-Martin
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| Administration | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | Centre |
| Department | Indre-et-Loire |
| Arrondissement | Chinon |
| Canton | Chinon |
| Mayor | Lise Couëdy-Gruet (2008–2014) |
| Statistics | |
| Elevation | 27–101 m (89–331 ft) |
| Land area1 | 5.77 km2 (2.23 sq mi) |
| Population2 | 222 (2006) |
| - Density | 38 /km2 (98 /sq mi) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 37042/ 37500 |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
| 2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. | |
Candes-Saint-Martin (Latin: Candia Sanctus Martinus) is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France. It overlooks the confluence of the Vienne and Loire rivers from a steep hill on the left bank of the Loire, and marks the boundary between the modern departments of Indre-et-Loire to the east, and Maine-et-Loire to the West. The name 'Candes' is thought to derive from a Gallic word for 'confluence', and is found in several other similarly sited towns in the region; the termination 'Saint-Martin' was formally added in 1949, although it had been in common usage for many years. Evidence of Gallo-roman occupation was found in 19th century excavations, particularly in the grounds of the Bishop's Palace which crowns the hill.
The village takes its name - and its main claim to fame- from the magnificent church which has succeeded the 4th century monastery where St Martin, Bishop of Tours and 'Apostle to the Gauls', died in 397.