Marvejols
Encyclopedia
Marvejols is a commune
in the Lozère
department in southern France
.
Its inhabitants are known as Marvejolais.
. The Colagne
flows southward through the middle of the commune and crosses the town.
Following the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre
, the town walls were reinforced to protect the Huguenot population during the French Wars of Religion
, Protestant Capt. Matthieu Merle based himself at Marvejols during his conquest of the Gévaudan
.
But, having sided with the then Protestant Henri of Navarre, the future King Henry IV of France
, the town was besieged and burned to the ground by the Catholics. Henry had it rebuilt in 1601 in recognition of the town’s support for him.
Despite some 17th century repairs, it still keeps its medieval charm.
Espoir Oc (Hope for Oc) is an association founded about twenty years ago, to promote and develop the Occitan language and culture. Based in Marvejols, they organize, on the first weekend of July, a festival based on the theme of the Middle Ages. Two big events take place; on the Saturday evening a great banquet consisting entirely of regional produce, finishing with a dance; on the Sunday morning, the mass is said in Occitan.
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
in the Lozère
Lozère
Lozère , is a department in southeast France near the Massif Central, named after Mont Lozère.- History :Lozère is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
department in southern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Its inhabitants are known as Marvejolais.
Geography
The commune is located in the Massif centralMassif Central
The Massif Central is an elevated region in south-central France, consisting of mountains and plateaux....
. The Colagne
Colagne
The Colagne is a long river in the Lozère département, southeastern France. Its source is in Arzenc-de-Randon. It flows generally southwest...
flows southward through the middle of the commune and crosses the town.
History
A medieval city exemplifying the Occitan culture, Marvejols was strengthened during the Hundred Years War against the English.Following the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre
St. Bartholomew's Day massacre
The St. Bartholomew's Day massacre in 1572 was a targeted group of assassinations, followed by a wave of Roman Catholic mob violence, both directed against the Huguenots , during the French Wars of Religion...
, the town walls were reinforced to protect the Huguenot population during the French Wars of Religion
French Wars of Religion
The French Wars of Religion is the name given to a period of civil infighting and military operations, primarily fought between French Catholics and Protestants . The conflict involved the factional disputes between the aristocratic houses of France, such as the House of Bourbon and House of Guise...
, Protestant Capt. Matthieu Merle based himself at Marvejols during his conquest of the Gévaudan
Gévaudan
Gévaudan is a historical area of France, nowadays situated in Lozère département. It took its name from the Gabali, a Gallic tribe subordinate to the Arverni.- History :...
.
But, having sided with the then Protestant Henri of Navarre, the future King Henry IV of France
Henry IV of France
Henry IV , Henri-Quatre, was King of France from 1589 to 1610 and King of Navarre from 1572 to 1610. He was the first monarch of the Bourbon branch of the Capetian dynasty in France....
, the town was besieged and burned to the ground by the Catholics. Henry had it rebuilt in 1601 in recognition of the town’s support for him.
Population
| 1962 | 1968 | 1975 | 1982 | 1990 | 1999 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3934 | 4490 | 5296 | 5573 | 5476 | 5501 |
| Census count starting from 1962 : Population without double counting Population without double counting Population without double counting is an English translation of the phrase Population sans doubles comptes.In France, for the purposes of the census, the INSEE has defined several population indicators that allow people who live in more than one place to be counted in each place, to study and keep... |
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Monuments and sights
- La porte du Soubeyran, a town gateway dating from the fourteenth century.
Despite some 17th century repairs, it still keeps its medieval charm.
- Notre Dame de la Carce dating from the end of the 13th century, becoming collegiate in 1310.
- Two large bronze sculptures by Emmanuel Auricoste can be seen at two of the entrances to Marvejols. One represents the mythical Beast of GévaudanBeast of GévaudanThe Beast of Gévaudan is a name given to man-eating wolf-like animals alleged to have terrorized the former province of Gévaudan , in the Margeride Mountains in south-central France from 1764 to 1767 over an area stretching . The beasts were consistently described by eyewitnesses as having...
, the other, that of Henry IV of FranceHenry IV of FranceHenry IV , Henri-Quatre, was King of France from 1589 to 1610 and King of Navarre from 1572 to 1610. He was the first monarch of the Bourbon branch of the Capetian dynasty in France....
, inscribed “exécuté à Marvejols en 1954” (Executed in 1954), which refers, of course, to the date of the sculpture, not the King’s demise. - The wolf park of GévaudanGévaudanGévaudan is a historical area of France, nowadays situated in Lozère département. It took its name from the Gabali, a Gallic tribe subordinate to the Arverni.- History :...
: Over 100 wolves live in a semi-natural state in an area of hills above Marvejols, once renowned for the animals.
Culture
Notable people
- Rock band Subway is made up of four women, all originally from Marvejols.
- Gilbert de Chambrun, mayor (1953–1965).
- Armand Blanquet du ChaylaArmand Blanquet du ChaylaCount Armand Blanquet du Chayla was an officer in the French Navy, most famous as second in command of the French fleet during its defeat at the Battle of the Nile.-Early actions:...
, French admiral. - Samuel DarchySamuel DarchySamuel Darchy is a French professional football player. Currently, he plays in the Championnat National for Rodez AF.-External links:*...
, footballer