Saint-Jean-d'Angély

Saint-Jean-d'Angély
Saint-Jean-d'Angély
Administration
Country France
Region Poitou-Charentes
Department Charente-Maritime
Arrondissement Saint-Jean-d'Angély
Canton Saint-Jean-d'Angély
Intercommunality Saint-Jean-d'Angély
Mayor Paul-Henri Denieul
(2008–2014)
Statistics
Elevation 8–76 m (26–249 ft)
(avg. 4 m/13 ft)
Land area1 18.78 km2 (7.25 sq mi)
Population2 7,522  (2008)
 - Density 401 /km2 (1,040 /sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 17347/ 17400
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.

Saint-Jean-d'Angély is a commune in the Charente-Maritime department in southwestern France.

The commune has its historical origins in the Abbey of Saint-Jean-d'Angély.

Contents

Royal abbey

Founded in the ninth century to house a relic of Saint John the Baptist, and rebuilt in the 14th, 17th and 18th centuries because of repeated destruction, then later abandoned, the Abbey is now a listed building. It remains the most remarkable piece of architecture of Saint-Jean-d'Angély, a town which has kept all its medieval charm. Situated on the pilgrim route that led to Santiago de Compostela[1] the edifice still constitutes a major stopping-off point towards Santiago de Compostela. Since 1989, the Royal Abbey has housed the Centre of European Culture, which has breathed new life into the Abbey by restoring it as a historical and cultural site and as a place for the exchange of ideas.

From 1989 to 1997, the restoration of the monastic buildings has been carried out according to the needs of the Centre of European Culture, with an emphasis placed on accommodations, catering, as well as rooms for conferences, reunions and workshops. The Centre is has been at the forefront of the revitilization of the building, to such a point that today the Centre and the Abbey have been linked in the minds of the residents.

Centre of European culture

The Centre of European Culture at Saint-Jean-d'Angély, created in 1989 as a joint initiative taken by the Minister of Culture, the town of Saint-Jean-d'Angély, the regional council of Poitou-Charentes and the council of Charente Maritime, has hosted multinational sessions focused on European culture and citizenship that are dedicated to youngsters sixteen to nineteen years, coming from all European countries.

Modern Saint-Jean

Saint-Jean D'Angely is now home to a vibrant and bustling town centre, with a twice-weekly market (on Saturdays and Wednesdays). Also present is a swimming and fitness centre, Atlantys, which resides on the edge of the town.

Geography

The Boutonne flows northwest through the commune; the town lies on its right bank.

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Population

Historical population of Saint-Jean-d'Angély
Year 1793 1800 1806 1821 1831 1836 1841 1846 1851 1856
Population 6059 5400 5351 5541 6031 5915 6107 6484 6413 6203
Year 1861 1866 1872 1876 1881 1886 1891 1896 1901 1906
Population 6392 7023 6812 7172 7279 7255 7297 7183 7041 7087
Year 1911 1921 1926 1931 1936 1946 1954 1962 1968 1975
Population 7060 6541 6745 6610 6728 7280 7929 8660 9739 9642
Year 1982 1990 1999 2008
Population 8820 8060 7681 7522

See also

References

  1. ^ The route is registered by the UNESCO as part of the "World Heritage of Humanity"

External links