Saint-Maixent-l'École

Saint-Maixent-l'École is a commune in the Deux-Sèvres department in western France.

Demography

Residents are known as Saint-Maixentais.

Geography

Saint-Maixent-l'École is located in the Haut Val de Sèvre area of western France, about 15 miles (24 km) from Niort and 40 miles (64 km) from La Rochelle. The town sits in a fertile and sheltered south facing valley through which meanders a branch of the River Sevre.

It enjoys a pleasant microclimate -often being between 2 and 5C warmer than the surrounding hilltops- and sits in a predominantly rural landscape. The town is close to the autoroute networks and is well served by its own station, known to SNCF as 'St. Maixent Deux Sèvres'. SNCF-TGV and RER local trains run to Angoulême, Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Lille, Montauban, Niort, Paris, Poitiers and Tours

History

The town was founded in 459 by the Oratorian monk Agapit, who was joined in 480 by Adjutor who took the name Maixent. Initially, the city was known as Saint-Saturnin. During the 6th and 7th centuries the city prospered. Later, during the Wars of Religion, St. Maixent was often cast into the role of 'border town' between the Protestant strongholds around La Rochelle to the west and Catholic France to the East.

Sights

Many of the town buildings date from 15th century through to the early 19th century. The town is home to a fine abbey which dominates the skyline. The abbey crypt houses the tombs of St. Maixent and St. Leger. Limestone for building was excavated from an extensive network of (what have become) vaulted cellars. These often extend down for two (in one case seven) levels below ground and may be very large. Oldest secular premises in the town is the ancient Pharmacy on Rue Anatole France which has been undergoing a slow but dedicated restoration/excavation of its many hidden features. The facade bears the inscription 'HIC VALE SANTE' (Here is Health.) Rue Chalon, the pedestrianised main shopping street was extensively rebuilt during the 18th Century. The entrance is signified by an elegant masonry arch (Porte Chalon)and the street beyond presents a pleasantly uniform facade of handsome period buildings with shops, bars and retaurants facing onto the street.

Economy

The main agricultural produce of the region around the town includes maize, sunflowers for seed oil, flax, tobacco and wine. Sugar Beet and Charente Melons also feature prominently. The town lies halfway between the Loire Valley and Bordeaux, in close proximity to the Cognac region. There are several speciality goats-milk cheeses produced in the area. The area is home to companies producing agricultural commodities, such as animal feed and vegetable oils

One of the mainstays of the local economy is the presence of the French Army NCO training school, which runs regular courses for all branches of the Army. There are extensive barracks,some parts dating back to the revolution, also 'married quarters' in the form of modern apartments scattered throughout the town.

There is a thriving Saturday market on the main street, a Food Hall on the market square, as well as branches of the usual supermarket chains and a small and rather quaint cinema (L'Hermitage).

Twin towns

The town is twinned with Horsham in the United Kingdom. This fact is marked by the presence of an original red UK telephone kiosk outside the Mairie.

See also

• Communes of the Deux-Sèvres department

References

• INSEE