Vimoutiers

Vimoutiers

Vimoutiers
Location within Lower Normandy region Vimoutiers
Coordinates: 48°56′N 0°12′E / 48.93°N 0.20°E / 48.93; 0.20Coordinates: 48°56′N 0°12′E / 48.93°N 0.20°E / 48.93; 0.20
Country	France
Region	Lower Normandy
Department	Orne
Arrondissement	Argentan
Canton	Vimoutiers
Area¹	16.15 km² (6.24 sq mi)
Population (1999)²	4,418
• Density	270/km² (710/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code	61508 / 61120
Elevation	92–236 m (302–774 ft) (avg. 134 m or 440 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.

Vimoutiers is a commune in the Orne department in north-western France.

The finish line of the Paris–Camembert bicycle race is Vimoutiers.

History

In 1040 while besieging a nearby Norman castle, Alan III, Duke of Brittany died suddenly in Vimoutiers, then a possession of the Duchy of Normandy. His death was thought to be caused by poisoning.

On 14 June 1944, during the Battle of Normandy, Vimoutiers was bombarded by Allied forces. The village was destroyed and 220 people died.

A WWII German Tiger tank is exposed on the outskirts of the city. It is one of six remaining in the world.

The beautiful and strategic location of Vimoutiers attracts numerous tourists for sporting events, recreation and overnight rest. Modern hotels and small restaurants cater to visitors.

Heraldry

	The arms of Vimoutiers are blazoned : Azure, a cross Or, between 4 keys addorsed argent.

Name

The name 'Vimoutiers' is a contraction of 'Vie', the name of the small river which runs through the town ('vie' means 'life'), and 'Moutiers', a French word which means 'Monastery'. This name is derived from the fact that there was once a monastery present on the site, near the banks of the river 'Vie.