Braize

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Braize
Braize
Coordinates: 46°40′05″N 2°39′02″E / 46.6681°N 2.6506°E / 46.6681; 2.6506Coordinates: 46°40′05″N 2°39′02″E / 46.6681°N 2.6506°E / 46.6681; 2.6506
Country France
Region Auvergne
Department Allier
Arrondissement Montluçon
Canton Cérilly
Intercommunality Pays de Tronçais
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Solange Lalevee
Area
 • Land1 20.95 km2 (8.09 sq mi)
Population (2008)
 • Population2 286
 • Population2 Density 14/km2 (35/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 03037 / 03360
Elevation 186–291 m (610–955 ft)
(avg. 230 m or 750 ft)

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.

Braize is a commune in the Allier department in central France.

Geography

At its widest point, the commune is 8 km across, stretching from the Cher department to the Rond des Landes Blanches. It lies in a valley oriented east and west from La Pacaudière to Les Ris, the lowest point in the commune.

Much of the valley is swampy. It is drained by a brook that flows through several ponds. The lowest point in the commune is on the west.

On the south are the edges of the forest of Tronçais, dominated by several buttes at Rond du Haut du Parc and Puy Aigu, the highest point in the commune at Montaloyer.

On the north, a gentle slope rises to the present town, with its remarkable feudal motte Le Mamelon, close to the farm called La Commanderie. Northwest of Baignereau, the boundary is the river Sologne.

Beyond the village and to the edge of the commune, a slightly rolling plateau leads to the Verneuil vineyards, of which only a small part are still cultivated.

Economy

In the 1930s, Braize had a half dozen vineyards of 30 to 40 hectares.

Currently, there are about a half dozen farms raising primarily cattle and sheep. Tourist activities include fishing and camping.

Events

The traditional festival of the patron saint, La Saint Antoine, is celebrated January 17. The Foire aux ânes takes place the last Sunday in August.

Population

Historical population
Year Pop.  ±%  
1901 432—    
1906 507+17.4%
1911 495−2.4%
1921 378−23.6%
1926 362−4.2%
1931 359−0.8%
1936 362+0.8%
1946 334−7.7%
1954 329−1.5%
1962 310−5.8%
1968 326+5.2%
1975 307−5.8%
1982 275−10.4%
1990 254−7.6%
1999 257+1.2%
2008 286+11.3%

See also

References

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