Loudun

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Loudun
Porte du Martray in Loudun

Coat of arms
Loudun
Coordinates: 47°00′38″N 0°05′04″E / 47.0106°N 0.0844°E / 47.0106; 0.0844Coordinates: 47°00′38″N 0°05′04″E / 47.0106°N 0.0844°E / 47.0106; 0.0844
Country France
Region Poitou-Charentes
Department Vienne
Arrondissement Châtellerault
Canton Loudun
Intercommunality Pays Loudunais
Government
 â€˘ Mayor (2001–2008) Jean Touret
Area
 â€˘ Land1 43.77 km2 (16.90 sq mi)
Population (2006)
 â€˘ Population2 7,588
 â€˘ Population2 Density 170/km2 (450/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 86137 / 86200
Elevation 47–120 m (154–394 ft)
(avg. 90 m or 300 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.

Loudun is a commune in the Vienne department in the Poitou-Charentes region in western France.

It is located 30 km (19 mi) south of the town of Chinon and 25 km to the east of the town Thouars. The area south of Loudun is the place of origin of a significant portion of the Acadians, one of the early founding people of New France in Canada.[1]

Demographics

Historical population of Loudun
Year1962196819751982199019992006
Population6214709480358120785477047588

Sights

An ancient town, Loudun contains numerous old streets, and buildings and monuments of which five are Government-listed monuments. It is also the location of a vicus type archaeological site.

Loudun possessions

Loudun was the site of hysteria concerning the supposed mass possession of nuns by the Devil in 1634.

Loudun in art

In 1968 Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki wrote an opera The Devils of Loudun, based on Aldous Huxley's novel and John Whiting's theatre play. Penderecki's opera premiered in 1969 at the Hamburg State Opera. Ken Russell's 1971 film The Devils is also based on Huxley's novel and Whiting's play.

Personalities

Loudun is the birthplace of:

Loudun is the place of death of:

  • Urbain Grandier (18 August 1634), French Catholic priest who was burned at the stake after being convicted of witchcraft.
  • AndrĂ© Andrejew (16 March 1967), French-Russian classic film production designer, built decors for movies produced in Germany, France, England and the US.

Twin towns

See also

References

External links

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