Épernay
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Commune of Épernay |
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| Location | |
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| Administration | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne-Ardenne |
| Department | Marne (sous-préfecture) |
| Arrondissement | Épernay |
| Canton | chief town of 2 cantons |
| Intercommunality | CC Épernay-Pays de Champagne |
| Mayor | Franck Leroy |
| Statistics | |
| Land area¹ | 22.69 km² |
| Population² (1999) |
25,844 |
| - Density | 1,139.0/km² (1999) |
| Miscellaneous | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 51230/ 51200 |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
| 2 Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel) only counted once. | |
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Épernay is a town and commune of northern France.
Contents |
[edit] Administration
Épernay is a sous-préfecture of the Marne département, and the chief town of the arrondissement of Épernay.
[edit] History
Épernay (Sparnacum) belonged to the archbishops of Reims from the 5th until the 10th century, when it came into the possession of the counts of Champagne. It was badly damaged during the Hundred Years' War, and was burned by Francis I in 1544. It resisted Henry of Navarre in 1592, and Marshal Biron fell in the attack which preceded its eventual capture. In 1642 it was, along with Château-Thierry, named as a duchy and assigned to the duc de Bouillon.
Historical population:
- 1906: 20,291
- 1999: 25,844
[edit] Geography
Épernay is located 88 miles ENE of Paris on the main line of the Eastern railway to Strasbourg. The town is situated on the left bank of the Marne at the extremity of the pretty Cubryvalley which crosses it.
[edit] Features
In the central and oldest quarter of the town, the streets are narrow and irregular; the surrounding suburbs, however, are modern and more spacious, with La Folie to the East, for example, containing many handsome villas belonging to rich wine merchants. The town has also spread to the right bank of the Marne.
One of its churches retains a portal and stained-glass windows from the 16th century, but the other public buildings are of modern construction.
[edit] Economy
Épernay is best known as the principal "entrepôt" for champagne wines, which are bottled and kept in large cellars built into the chalk rock on which the town is built. The production of the equipment and raw materials used in the champagne industry is a major source of local employment.
Brewing and sugar refinery and the production of hats and caps, are also major industries.
[edit] Tourism
Épernay is a tourist-friendly town which welcome visitors from all over the world who come to buy champagne and to see how it is made. The most famous street in Épernay is the Avenue de Champagne which features the leading Champagne manufacturers.
See also near Epernay :
- Château de Pierry
- Château de Montmort
- Château de Condé
[edit] Miscellaneous
Épernay has tribunals of first instance and of commerce, and communal colleges for girls and boys.
Epernay is also the name of a chain of cocktail and champagne bars in the United Kingdom.
[edit] Births
Épernay was the birthplace of:
- Flodoard (894-966), chronicler
[edit] Twin towns
Épernay is twinned with:
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
[edit] External links
- Official website (in French)
