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Lectoure

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox French commune

|name = Lectoure

|commune status = Commune

|image = Lectours west2.jpg

|caption = A general view of Lectoure

|image coat of arms = Blason ville fr Lectoure (Gers).png

|arrondissement = Condom

|canton = Lectoure-Lomagne

|INSEE = 32208

|postal code = 32700

|mayor = Xavier Ballenghien{{cite web|title=Répertoire national des élus: les maires|url=https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/2876a346-d50c-4911-934e-19ee07b0e503|publisher=data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises|date=4 May 2022|language=fr}}

|term = 2021–2026

|coordinates = {{coord|43.9353|0.6219|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

|elevation m = 182

|elevation min m = 68

|elevation max m = 223

|area km2 = 84.93

|population = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}}

|population date = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}}

|population footnotes = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}}

}}

Lectoure ({{IPA|fr|lɛktuʁ}}; Gascon: Leitora {{IPA|oc|lejˈtuɾɔ|}}) is a commune in the Gers department in the Occitanie region in southwestern France.[https://www.insee.fr/fr/metadonnees/geographie/commune/32208-lectoure Commune de Lectoure (32208)], INSEE

It is located {{convert|32|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Auch,{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Lectoure |volume=16 |page=358}} the capital of the department, {{convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Agen and approximately {{convert|76|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of Toulouse.

In 1473, the seneschal, the crown's agent of order, was created for the county of Armagnac. The building out of which the seneschal operated, Seneschalcy of Armagnac, was built in the commune of Lectoure. The position/building remained active until the French Revolution, in which it was abolished and abandoned by 1835.

Geography

The village is located on the right bank of the Gers, which flows north through the western part of the commune. The river Auroue forms part of the commune's southeastern and northeastern borders.

File:Map commune FR insee code 32208.png

{{clear}}

History

Lectoure was a prehistoric oppidum, capital of Lactorates. Barbarian invasions forced residents to raise the walls and make Lectoure a stronghold for centuries. The town became the capital city of the Earldom of Armagnac in 1325, ruled by a powerful family descended from the ancient Dukes of Gascony, who held court at Lectoure. In 1473 Cardinal Jean de Jouffroy besieged the town on behalf of Louis XI. and after its fall put the whole population to the sword. In 1562 it again suffered severely at the hands of the Catholics under Blaise de Montluc.

Population

{{Historical populations

|source = INSEE[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4515315?geo=COM-32208#ancre-POP_T1 Population en historique depuis 1968], INSEE

|percentages = pagr

|align = none

|1968 |3950

|1975 |3790

|1982 |3923

|1990 |4034

|1999 |3933

|2007 |3771

|2012 |3753

|2017 |3664

}}

Sites of interest

Lectoure has been designated as a "town of art and history" (French: Villes et Pays d'Art et d'Histoire) by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication since 1985. The 12th-16th century former Lectoure Cathedral is a national monument.{{Base Mérimée|IA00038762|Cathédrale Saint-Gervais et Saint-Protais, actuellement église paroissiale}} The town hall was built between 1676 and 1682 by bishop Hugues de Bar.

Way of St. James

Lectoure is a town on the Via Podiensis, one of the three major French arms of the Way of St. James. This route is followed by those making the pilgrimage from Le Puy by way of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostella in northwest Spain. Pilgrims arrive at Lectoure after Miradoux and next pass through Marsolan and La Romieu.

Cuisine

Locally produced Armagnac and foie gras are available and popular delicacies.

Notable people

See also

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{commons category}}

  • {{official website|http://www.lectoure.fr}}
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20160316114243/http://www.lion1906.com/departements/gers/lectoure-.php Lectoure on the map of France with many details] via Wayback Machine
  • [http://www.chemindecompostelle.com/Selection/CarteFrance.html Via Podiensis Map]
  • [http://www.chemindecompostelle.com/ The Way of St. James] French website

{{Gers communes}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Communes of Gers