Azay-le-Rideau

Azay-le-Rideau


Coat of arms
Azay-le-Rideau

Coordinates: 47°15′44″N 0°28′01″E / 47.2622°N 0.4669°ECoordinates: 47°15′44″N 0°28′01″E / 47.2622°N 0.4669°E
Country France
Region Centre-Val de Loire
Department Indre-et-Loire
Arrondissement Chinon
Canton Azay-le-Rideau
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Michel Verdier
Area1 27.34 km2 (10.56 sq mi)
Population (2009)2 3,418
 • Density 130/km2 (320/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 37014 / 37190
Elevation 36–102 m (118–335 ft)
(avg. 45 m or 148 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.

Azay-le-Rideau (pronounced: [azɛ lə ʁido]) is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France.

Late afternoon on the shore of the Indre river

Château

The château of Azay-le-Rideau was built from 1515 to 1527, one of the earliest French Renaissance châteaux. Built on an island in the Indre River, its foundations rise straight out of the water. It is well-known to be part of the châteaux of the Loire valley.[1]

Church

Carolingian portion of the façade of St. Symphorien

There is a church dedicated to Saint Symphorien near the château that is interesting for the number of architectural periods incorporated in its design. While the newest portion dates from 1603, the current façade incorporates an older 9th century façade in the Carolingian style. The original carved figures are still visible, though an added window destroyed part of the second row. The rest of the church is of a Romanesque style.[2] It was built between 1518 and 1527.

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±%
17931,600—    
18001,750+9.4%
18061,570−10.3%
18211,634+4.1%
18311,896+16.0%
18362,023+6.7%
18412,105+4.1%
18462,113+0.4%
18512,034−3.7%
18561,965−3.4%
18612,073+5.5%
18662,063−0.5%
18722,108+2.2%
18762,160+2.5%
18812,116−2.0%
18862,126+0.5%
18912,175+2.3%
18962,280+4.8%
19012,318+1.7%
19062,282−1.6%
19112,142−6.1%
19211,971−8.0%
19262,064+4.7%
19311,977−4.2%
19361,827−7.6%
19462,150+17.7%
19542,234+3.9%
19622,610+16.8%
19682,755+5.6%
19752,749−0.2%
19822,915+6.0%
19903,053+4.7%
19993,106+1.7%
20063,337+7.4%
20093,418+2.4%

Wine

Azay-le-Rideau is the centre of the Touraine Azay-le-Rideau AOC for white and rose wine.

Twin towns

Azay-le-Rideau is twinned with Croston in Lancashire, England.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Presentation of the Chateaux of the Loire Valley on Eurochannel
  2. ↑ loire.valley.free.fr Azay le Rideau
  3. ↑ Mayoh, Emma (9 January 2012). "Croston's success is down to the growing support of the local community". Lancashire Life. Archant Community Media. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Azay-le-Rideau.

External links