Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox French commune
|name = Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire
|commune status = Commune
|image = Barbezieux2.7.JPG
|caption = The church square in Barbezieux
|image coat of arms = Blason de la ville de Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire (Charente).svg
|arrondissement = Cognac
|canton = Charente-Sud
|INSEE = 16028
|postal code = 16300
|term = 2020–2026
|intercommunality = 4B Sud-Charente
|coordinates = {{coord|45.4736|-0.1542|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|elevation m = 79
|elevation min m = 32
|elevation max m = 131
|area km2 = 26.55
|population = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}}
|population date = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}}
|population footnotes = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}}
}}
Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire ({{IPA|fr|baʁbəzjø sɛ̃t‿ilɛʁ}}) is a commune in the Charente department, Southwestern France.[https://www.insee.fr/fr/metadonnees/geographie/commune/16028-barbezieux-saint-hilaire Commune de Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire (16028)], INSEE The commune was formed in 1973 by the merger of the former communes Barbezieux and Saint-Hilaire.[https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/jo/id/JORFCONT000000020996 Modifications aux circonscriptions administratives territoriales (fusion de communes)], Journal officiel de la République française n° 0296, 20 December 1972, pp. 13168-13169. With 4,714 inhabitants (2019), it forms the most important town in Southern Charente.
Barbezieux is a fortified hill town on the historic route south west from Paris – Poitiers to Bordeaux – Spain, now served by the N 10, which bypasses Barbezieux. The town rises from narrow streets of unspoilt, typically Charentais buildings to the medieval chateau, which dominates the western approach.
Population
{{Historical populations
|align = none
|cols = 2
|percentages = pagr
|source = EHESS{{Cassini-Ehess|2629|Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire}} and INSEE (1968–2017)[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4515315?geo=COM-16028#ancre-POP_T1 Population en historique depuis 1968], INSEE
|1793 |2740
|1800 |1984
|1806 |2452
|1821 |3061
|1831 |2756
|1841 |3335
|1846 |3514
|1851 |3574
|1856 |3700
|1861 |3878
|1866 |3881
|1872 |3910
|1876 |4007
|1881 |4102
|1886 |4090
|1891 |4104
|1896 |4229
|1901 |4080
|1906 |4204
|1911 |4312
|1921 |4106
|1926 |4231
|1931 |4079
|1936 |4243
|1946 |4243
|1954 |4229
|1962 |4546
|1968 |4851
|1975 |5198
|1982 |5103
|1990 |4774
|1999 |4819
|2007 |4645
|2012 |4823
|2017 |4672
|2019|4714
}}
Wine
Barbezieux also forms part of the Petite Champagne area of cognac wine growing, second only to the finest Grande Champagne and is in the heart of the vineyards producing cognac and the local drink Pineau de Charente.
Services
The access to the N10 means that Barbezieux has developed as a modern lively town of over 5000 inhabitants, whilst retaining all the character of the old town, with interesting shops; twice weekly markets; foires and other public entertainments; lido; cinema; sporting and equestrian facilities, also a high school, a hospital, and other important services for the whole area.
Tourism
Barbezieux is a centre for touring the South Charente and also a short drive from the coast. For tourists and cyclists following the Chemin de St Jacques to Compostella, the Voie Verte, or Green Way, is the former railway line, running approx 40 km. south from Barbezieux towards Bordeaux. There is accommodation for those wishing to visit the town including a Chambres D'Hôtes in the restored 18th century Maison de Maitre, hosting a fine collection of Modern Art, to be found in Rue de L'Alma in the heart of the old town.
St Mathias Church
The main church of Barbezieux, St Mathias, was built in the twelfth century and is one of the largest in the Diocese of Angoulême. Entering the church, there is the statue of St Mathias. At one time, the Apostle's head is said to have been kept in the church. The church has been altered over the centuries and had major restoration in the 1970s. It is a fine example of a Romanesque church, well used by the community.
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Notable people
{{See also|Category:People from Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire}}
- Philippe Besson (born 1967), writer
- Corine Pelluchon (born 1967), philosopher and professor
- Renaud Lavillenie (born 1986), pole vaulter
- Valentin Lavillenie (born 1991), pole vaulter
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Commons category|Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire}}
{{Charente communes}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Barbezieuxsainthilaire}}
{{Charente-geo-stub}}