Mâcon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Commune of Mâcon | |
|
|
| {{{caption}}} | |
| Location | |
| Longitude | 04° 49' 57" E |
| Latitude | 46° 18' 26" N |
| Administration | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | Bourgogne |
| Department | Saône-et-Loire (préfecture) |
| Arrondissement | Mâcon |
| Canton | Chief town of 3 cantons |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'Agglomération du Mâconnais Val de Saône (CAMVAL) |
| Mayor | Jean-Patrick Courtois (2001-2008) |
| Statistics | |
| Altitude | 167 m–347 m (avg. 175 m) |
| Land area¹ | 27.04 km² |
| Population² (1999) |
34,469 |
| - Density (1999) | 1,275/km² |
| Miscellaneous | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 71270/ 71000 |
| ¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 mi² or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
| ² Population sans doubles comptes: single count of residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel). | |
 |
|
Mâcon is a commune of France, préfecture (capital) of the Saône-et-Loire département, in the Bourgogne region.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
Mâcon is located on the Saône River, north of Lyon. It has an area of 27.04 km². Average altitude: 175 m.
[edit] History
- For the ecclesiastcial history, see bishopric of Mâcon
From Matisco to the present day… The foundation of ancient Matisco dates back to the 2nd century B.C. The city very soon became a busy crossroad. Border between the Kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire from 843 to 1600, Mâcon prospered thanks to the customs duties that were established. Mâcon was a Huguenot stronghold in the 16th century. In 1790, Mâcon became the capital of the "département of Saône-et-Loire" and saw the birth of one of its most famous inhabitants: Alphonse de Lamartine. The Resistance was particularly active here during World War II and Mâcon was the first town in the French zone between Paris and Lyon.
Mâcon and Saint-Laurent Bridge at Night
[edit] Economy
The area produces wines, including Pouilly-Fuissé. The town also has foundries and plants that manufacture motorcycles, electrical equipment and clothing. The town is also a touristy place with its river bank (with the Saône river), its old center and notably the "Maison de Bois" which was built in the 15th century.
The Tour de France frequently passes through Mâcon on its way down from the Alps around the month of July.
[edit] Miscellaneous
Mâcon was the birthplace of Alphonse de Lamartine (1790-1869), writer, poet and politician.
The Baby of Mâcon is a 1993 film directed by Peter Greenaway.
[edit] Twinned towns
Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, Germany - since June 26, 1956
Crewe and Nantwich, United Kingdom - since 1957
Overijse, Belgium - since August 28, 1960
Macon, Georgia, United States - since 1972
Shumen, Bulgaria - since September 18, 2006
Lecco, Italy - since May 12, 1973
Alcazar de San Juan, Spain - since March 15, 1980
Eger, Hungary - since May 11, 1985
Pori, Finland - since May 11, 1990
Santo Tirso, Portugal - since June 20, 1992
[edit] See also
- the former bishopric of Mâcon
- French wine
[edit] External links
- City council website and mirror site (in French)
- Tourist office website
- Virtual visit
- Mâcon library (in French)
Overseas departments
Cayenne (French Guiana) • Basse-Terre (Guadeloupe) • Fort-de-France (Martinique) • Saint-Denis (Réunion)
