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Mayenne (commune)

Coordinates: 48°18′43″N 0°37′06″W / 48.312°N 0.6183°W / 48.312; -0.6183
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mayenne
The Château de Mayenne, and the Mayenne river
The Château de Mayenne, and the Mayenne river
Coat of arms of Mayenne
Location of Mayenne
Map
Mayenne is located in France
Mayenne
Mayenne
Mayenne is located in Pays de la Loire
Mayenne
Mayenne
Coordinates: 48°18′43″N 0°37′06″W / 48.312°N 0.6183°W / 48.312; -0.6183
CountryFrance
RegionPays de la Loire
DepartmentMayenne
ArrondissementMayenne
CantonMayenne
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Jean-Pierre Le Scornet[1]
Area
1
19.88 km2 (7.68 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
12,900
 • Density650/km2 (1,700/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
53147 /53100
Elevation82–159 m (269–522 ft)
(avg. 124 m or 407 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Mayenne (/mˈɛn/, French: [majɛn] ) is a commune in the Mayenne department, northwestern France. It is a subprefecture of the department. It is situated on the river Mayenne.

History

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In medieval times, the town was the seat of the Lords of Mayenne. The town originated when Juhel II of Mayenne (lord of Mayenne, Gorron and Ambrières (1110–1161)) built a monastery near the gate of the pre-existing castle, which led to the formation of the settlement.

Mayenne was besieged twice during the French Wars of Religion, in 1574 and 1590, and suffered substantial damage. It was rebuilt and re-embellished in the following century thanks to the help of Cardinal Mazarin. It however suffered from plague in 1707.

On 9 June 1944, during World War II, it was bombed by the RAF, which caused heavy damage and numerous casualties.

Population

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Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1968 11,395—    
1975 12,450+1.27%
1982 13,333+0.98%
1990 13,549+0.20%
1999 13,724+0.14%
2007 13,555−0.15%
2012 13,257−0.44%
2017 12,841−0.64%
Source: INSEE[3]

Main sights

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  • The Château, built in the 10th century (900–920) is an exceptional example of a palace dating from the Carolingian period. Reception room, tower and cellar are remarkably well preserved. The dungeon and ramparts, built in the 13th century to transform the castle into a fortress, still proudly dominate the river and the town of Mayenne. The vaulted rooms and the chapel still have thirteenth century decorations. The chapel dating from the 19th century with its baroque decoration bears witness to the long period of time he was a prison. Once used as a prison, since 2008 it is home to the "Musée du Château de Mayenne" (the Mayenne Castle Museum).[4]
  • The Basilica of Notre-Dame, founded in 1100. Of the original building, only the piers and the arcades of the nave remain.
  • Romanesque church of St. Martin, enlarged in neo-medieval style during the nineteenth century.

Notable people

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Twin towns – sister cities

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Mayenne is twinned with:[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
  4. ^ "Plan your visit - Musée du Château de Mayenne". Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  5. ^ "Association de jumelage de la ville de Mayenne" (in French). Mayenne Communauté. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
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