La Souterraine

La Souterraine
Commune
The bell tower of the church in La Souterraine
The bell tower of the church in La Souterraine
Coat of arms of La Souterraine
Coat of arms
Location of La Souterraine
Map
La Souterraine is located in France
La Souterraine
La Souterraine
La Souterraine is located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
La Souterraine
La Souterraine
Coordinates: 46°14′15″N 1°29′10″E / 46.2374°N 1.4862°E / 46.2374; 1.4862
CountryFrance
RegionNouvelle-Aquitaine
DepartmentCreuse
ArrondissementGuéret
CantonLa Souterraine
IntercommunalityCC Pays Sostranien
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Étienne Lejeune[1]
Area
1
37.07 km2 (14.31 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
4,933
 • Density130/km2 (340/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
23176 /23300
Elevation284–456 m (932–1,496 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

La Souterraine (French pronunciation: [la sutɛʁɛn]; Limousin: La Sotarrana) is a commune in the Creuse department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in central France.

Geography

La Souterraine is an area of farming and light industry, comprising the town and a few small hamlets. It is situated some 20 miles (32 km) west of Guéret, at the junction of the D1, D912, D951 and the N145 roads. It is also served by a TER railway link. The small river Sédelle, a tributary of the Creuse, flows through the town. The sources of the Benaize, a tributary of the Anglin, and the Brame, a tributary of the Gartempe, are both in the commune.

History

There is evidence of pre-Roman occupation here, attested by the discovery of Stone Age tools and a menhir. Remains of Roman villas and temples have been unearthed. In medieval times, a church and fortified walls were built. The name of the town, translating as ‘subterranean’, comes from the underground parts of the church, the crypt.

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1968 5,104—    
1975 5,302+0.55%
1982 5,690+1.01%
1990 5,459−0.52%
1999 5,320−0.29%
2007 5,375+0.13%
2012 5,437+0.23%
2017 5,207−0.86%
Source: INSEE[3]

Sights

  • The church dating from the 11th century, with its Roman crypt.
  • The 15th-century Manorhouse de Châteaurenaud.
  • The 13th-century gate, the Porte de St.Jean, and the rest of the ramparts.
  • A feudal motte, circular tower and the castle at Bridiers.
  • The 18th-century chapel of the hospital.
  • The ancient chapel of Sainte-Eutrope.
  • The 14th-century church at Bussière-Madeleine.
The tower of St.Jean's gate

See also

References

  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 9 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
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