Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives

Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives is a former commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region in northwestern France. On 1 January 2017, it was merged into the new commune Saint-Pierre-en-Auge.[2]

Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives
Part of Saint-Pierre-en-Auge
Benedictine abbey
Coat of arms
Location of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives
Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives
Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives
Coordinates: 49°01′N 0°02′W
CountryFrance
RegionNormandy
DepartmentCalvados
ArrondissementLisieux
CantonLivarot
CommuneSaint-Pierre-en-Auge
Area
1
9.68 km2 (3.74 sq mi)
Population
 (2017)[1]
3,453
 • Density360/km2 (920/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal code
14170
Elevation23–74 m (75–243 ft)
(avg. 32 m or 105 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

The abbey church was rebuilt during the 12th and 13th centuries and restored and modified in the 16th and 17th centuries, replacing the former abbey church built in 1011 by William the Conqueror's aunt, Countess Lesceline. The church was entirely restored in the 16th century. By that time it got its general current appearance: a long main nave with two aisles and five radiating chapels, in the Gothic style.

11th-century market hall
11th century market hall.

The market hall (French: Halles de Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives) is an example of Norman medieval architecture and dates from the 11th century. It was originally used by the Benedictine monks of the abbey to sell their goods to the locals. The structure was listed as a historical monument the 6 March 1889. The hall was completely destroyed by fire during the German withdrawal from the area in the summer of 1944. The halls were rebuilt using chestnut wood (same as the original).

Events
A busy Monday market outside the 11th century market hall in St Pierre sur Dives, Normandy, France.

Weekly open-air market every Monday morning in the square which surrounds the 11th-century market hall. Cattle market every Monday in the market square. About a hundred calves are sold to the breeders every week as well as sheep, pigs and some goats. There is also an antiques market the first Sunday of each month at the market hall. Opposite the main hall is La Cour des Brocanteurs - a small courtyard selling second hand items, antiques, design, vintage, jewellery and outdoor furniture.

Sights

The Protective Botanical Garden collects old varieties of flowers and vegetables.

International relations

The commune is twinned with the following towns.

Flag Country Town Location
Belgium Jodoigne Walloon Brabant
United Kingdom Ivybridge Devon
Germany Kleinwallstadt Lower Franconia

Population
Historical population
YearPop.±%
19623,356—    
19683,765+12.2%
19754,274+13.5%
19824,506+5.4%
19903,993−11.4%
19993,977−0.4%
20083,623−8.9%

See also

References
  1. Téléchargement du fichier d'ensemble des populations légales en 2017, INSEE
  2. Arrêté préfectoral 19 December 2016 (in French)


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.