Montluçon

Montluçon is a commune in central France. It is the largest commune in the department of Allier, although the capital is located in the much smaller commune of Moulins.

Geography

Montluçon is situated on the Cher River, 50 m. S.W. of Moulins by the Orleans railway.

History

The town, which formed part of the duchy of Bourbon, was taken by the English in 1171, and by Philip Augustus in 1181; the English were beaten under its walls in the 14th century.

Sights

The upper town, on an eminence on the right bank, consists of steep, narrow, winding streets, and preserves several buildings of the 15th and 16th centuries; the lower town, traversed by the Cher, is the seat of the industries.

Of the churches, Notre-Dame is of the 14th century, St Pierre partly of the 12th and St Paul modern. The town-hall, with a library, occupies the site of an old Ursuline convent, and two other convents are used as college and hospital. Overlooking the town is the castle rebuilt by Louis II, Duke of Bourbon, and taken by Henry IV during the French Wars of Religion; it serves as a barracks.

Economy

According to the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica:

Industries embrace the manufacture of glass, chemicals, mirrors, sewing-machines, and iron and steel production. The Commentry coal-mines and Neris, a town with thermal springs, are a few miles distant to the south-east.

Miscellaneous

Montluçon is a sub-prefecture and has courts, a board of trade arbitration, a chamber of commerce and a lycée.

Montluçon is twinned with Hagen, Germany and Leszno, Poland.

Births

Montluçon was the birthplace of:

• André Messager (1853-1929), composer
• Jehan (born 1957), songwriter
• Marx Dormoy (1888-1941), politician
• Bernadette Vergnaud (born 1950), French politician and Member of the European Parliament
• Roger Walkowiak (born 1927), cyclist, winner of the 1956 Tour de France
• Audrey Tautou (born 1978), actress
• Jean Val Jean (porn star) born 1980

External link and reference

• Town council website (in French)