It is the largest town in the arrondissement of Belley and the seat of the canton of Ambérieu-en-Bugey which consists of 18 communes. Its urban area has 17,301 inhabitants (2020).[3] The town was officially simply called Ambérieu until 31 March 1955 when it became Ambérieu-en-Bugey.
The town is in the commune's western part, on the right bank of the river Albarine, which forms most of the commune's southern border. It is surrounded by the communes of Saint-Denis-en-Bugey, and Bettant. Its expansion is due to demographic expansion with two new housing areas on the eastern side of the town where there is plenty of land (near Bettant).
Ambérieu-en-Bugey is located at the foot of the western foothills of the Jura mountains of Bugey and opens onto the plain of Ain at the mouth of the gorge of Albarine.
However, the city contains significant seasonal differences between the warm to hot summers and the cool to cold winters. Both temperatures above 30 °C (86 °F) for the summer months and winter air frosts are common.
Its record low of −26.9 °C (−16.4 °F) decisively indicates its continental influence, as well as its record high of 40.3 °C (104.5 °F).
Comparison of local Meteorological data with other cities in France[5]
The commune[9]
is at an altitude between 237 m and 753 m.
The sub-soil has been an important economic activity in the Ambérieu region in the 19th century until the first half of the 20th century. For example, the extraction of lignite (used in particular for heating) was an important activity in Ambérieu during the First World War.[10]
Ambérieu-en-Bugey reflects the characteristics of Bugey in geological terms: the region is composed of a folded mountain relief, partly karstified, which is the southern extension of the Jura mountains. The dating of the limestone of Bugey is between the Jurassic (for the anticlines) and the Cretaceous (for the synclines). The folds are easily visible in outcrops and cliffs.[11]
Hydrography
There are several rivers in Ambérieu-en-Bugey. Besides the Albarine which flows through Ambérieu-en-Bugey,[12] two streams which are themselves tributaries of the Albarine flow into the commune: the Seymard (15.5 km long[13] and the Foulon[14] (3.4 km long).
Channels of communication and transport
Rail
From 1897 to 1951 the town was served by the Tramways of Ain, a metric gauge light railway linking it to Cerdon and Ars-sur-Formans. Here can be seen the station.Entry to Ambérieu station.The D1504 road and the railway line from Lyon to Geneva
The railway has served the commune since 1856,[15] making the town an important railway junction and the railway station, "one of the largest connection centres in France".[15] Some lines which are now extinct (e.g. the Ambérieu-Montalieu-Vercieu line) created a great deal of rail activity at Ambérieu-en-Bugey; these activities have been illustrated in the collections of the Railway Museum since 1987.
On 7 June 1944 an operation was organized by resistance railway workers and maquisards to disable 52 locomotives and much other equipment. This action reduced the capacity of this strategic site and reduced the communications of the German army so avoiding bombing by the Allies on the site.[17] A monument near the Ambérieu-en-Bugey station recalls this feat of arms.
Aerial activity has been present in Ambérieu-en-Bugey since the beginning of the 20th century. For example, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry made his first flight in July 1912 at the civil aerodrome of Bellievre.[18]
Ambérieu-en-Bugey Air Base was built during the Second World War as a temporary airfield by the United States Air Force XII Engineer Command in August 1944. Named the "Colonel Chambonnet Base", today it is a supply and repair centre for electronic equipment aboard aircraft, ground communications detection equipment, navigation aids, and a manufacturing centre for simple equipment.
There is also a civilian aerodrome near Ambérieu-en-Bugey called the Ambérieu aerodrome but it is located in the neighbouring communes of Château-Gaillard and Ambronay.
Air history
Many flight schools have been located at Ambérieu-en-Bugey: the Bressane Aviation School, founded in 1909 by Mignot and Harding, which was associated with the Société Aérienne de Lyon-Bron. In 1912 it took the name Deperdussin-SPAD and was directed by the pilot René Vidart. There is also the Louis-Mouthier flight school which was opened in 1911. In 1915 the Military flight school of Ambérieu was established. Finally, in 1928, the Caudron flight school moved from Le Crotoy in the Somme to Ambérieu-en-Bugey. This school trained Jean Mermoz and René Fonck.
Road transport
The commune is traversed by the A42 autoroute. The exit for the commune is: No. 8 Ambérieu-en-Bugey in the direction of Geneva.
In addition, several departmental roads serve the commune: the D1075 (formerly National Highway 75) which connects Bourg-en-Bresse to Sisteron, the D1504 (the old national road 504) which connects Ambérieu-en-Bugey to the commune of Le Bourget-du-Lac, and the D904 (the old road known as the "Valley of the Saone").
In 2017 there were 6,403 households in Ambérieu-en-Bugey; 84.8% of households owned at least one car and 31.8% of all households had at least two cars.[19]
Buses
Since 4 January 2010, a network of three bus lines has been established to replace the Ambar'bus service. The new network is called TAM (Transport Network Ambarrois) and links its timetables to the schedules of TER Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The network operates from 5:40 a.m. to 8:46 p.m. and carries 208 passengers per day.[20]
Housing
In 2017 the total number of dwellings in the municipality was 7,217 (against 5,949 in 2007). Among these units, 88.7% were primary residences, second homes 1.7%, and 9.6% were vacant housing.[19]
These units were split between 42.9% houses and 56.7% apartments. The proportion of residents owning their own homes was 42.7%.[19]
Toponymy
Gold coin of Ambarri, Gallic people occupied the territory of today's department of Ain and their name explains the toponym Ambérieu-en-Bugey
Ambérieu is mentioned in the form Ambariacus in 843 then Ambayreu in 1240.[21]
The second element -acus represents a suffix of Gallic origin *-āko(n) which is usually written as acum in Latin. This is a locative suffix which later will designate villae in Gallo-Roman. It has generally evolved phonetically as -ieu in the region. The first element designates the Gauls ( Celtic people ) of Ambarri whose name meant "living on both (*amb) sides of the Saone (Arar, the Saône)" or was a Gallic anthroponymAmbarrius. Ambérieux-en-Dombes, Ambérieux, Ambérac, and Ambeyrac are similar topographical formations.
History
Antiquity
A number of archaeological discoveries relating to antiquity have been made in Ambérieu-en-Bugey:[22]
in 1839 or 1840 a child's sarcophagus was found in the commune;[22]
a document dated 1856 reports the discovery of numerous coins dating from the Roman Empire;[22]
the remains of a villa were unearthed in 1940 in the Saint-Germain district;[23]
in the same neighbourhood, in the area of the ruins of the castle of Saint-Germain, an archaeological level was uncovered which contained barbarian tombs and also a chapel dating from the Middle Ages.[23]
Middle Ages
In the Middle Ages Ambérieu belonged to Bugey which, like Vaud, was acquired by Amadeus VI of Savoy, after signing the Treaty of Paris with France in 1355 which set the limits of the Duchy of Savoy and the Dauphiné. The city lay on the line of defence against France of the Duchy of Savoy. A series of fortifications were built to protect Savoy. Allymes Castle, the fortification of Brédevent, the Saint-Germain Castle, and the tower of Saint-Denis were parts of this line of defence in the Bugey possessions of the Duke of Savoy. Pérouges, a city of Savoy located on the plains played a commercial role at the border with France until the Treaty of Lyon.
In late 1941 Henri Romans-Petit was engaged in the French Hope network in Saint-Etienne. During Christmas an independent resistance fighter, Marcel Demia a Market gardener and Horticulturalist from the Ambérieu-en-Bugey commune went there to visit his parents. The two men meet and exchanged views on the situation. Their shared commitment motivated Henri Romans-Petit to create a Resistance organization in the department of Ain.[24] Marcel Demia spoke of some young resistance fighters who he placed on isolated farms and the difficulties encountered in his organization. Henri Romans-Petit arrived in Ain in 1942[25] and began to help the resistance fighters of the STO and his host. Ambérieu-en-Bugey today has a street called Marcel Demia.
The commune, at the instigation of Saint-Vulbas and Pérouges has been experimenting with a weed control plan that does not involve the use of chemicals[31]
Air quality
An integral part of the Community of communes of the plain of Ain, Ambérieu-en-Bugey commune participates in actions such as air quality control as quality is potentially undermined by the proximity of the industrial park of the Plain of Ain.[32]
Shale gas
The geological sub-structure of the Ambérieu-en-Bugey region contains Shale gas. The potential exploitation of these deposits has caused some hostility which has been expressed in local politics. Advocacy undertaken by opposition movements are varied: broadcasts,[33][34] a documentary called Gasland - in June 2011, and demonstrations[35] at Blyes the main town in the region concerned.
Its inhabitants are known as Ambarrois (masculine) and Ambarroises (feminine) in French.[37]
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±% p.a.
1793
2,915
—
1800
2,850
−0.32%
1806
2,892
+0.24%
1821
2,657
−0.56%
1831
2,647
−0.04%
1836
2,800
+1.13%
1841
2,677
−0.89%
1846
2,521
−1.19%
1851
2,458
−0.50%
1856
2,472
+0.11%
1861
2,782
+2.39%
1866
3,047
+1.84%
1872
2,954
−0.52%
1876
3,427
+3.78%
1881
3,396
−0.18%
1886
3,618
+1.27%
1891
3,635
+0.09%
1896
3,548
−0.48%
1901
4,023
+2.54%
Year
Pop.
±% p.a.
1906
4,100
+0.38%
1911
4,334
+1.12%
1921
4,796
+1.02%
1926
5,705
+3.53%
1931
6,794
+3.56%
1936
6,846
+0.15%
1946
7,142
+0.42%
1954
7,159
+0.03%
1962
7,748
+0.99%
1968
8,949
+2.43%
1975
9,550
+0.93%
1982
9,737
+0.28%
1990
10,455
+0.89%
1999
11,436
+1.00%
2009
13,350
+1.56%
2014
14,022
+0.99%
2020
14,288
+0.31%
2021
14,854
+3.96%
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. Updates on reimplementing the Graph extension, which will be known as the Chart extension, can be found on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.
A GRETA - an organization specialising in continuing education for adults - is based in Ambérieu-en-Bugey. A Bernard Palissy training centre for apprentices is also based in the commune.
Cultural events and festivals
The Railway MuseumSign "Town of autobiography"
In addition to the railway, as shown by the creation of the Railway Museum railway in 1987, Ambérieu-en-Bugey also developed around its library with an interest in autobiographical heritage including hosting the headquarters of the Association For Autobiography (APA). In addition, the town has provided a house for associations.
There have been two notable events in the town:
The first, the festival Jazz in the Park was a festival of jazz that took place in the Parc des Échelles in July. The 13th and last edition was held in 2006.
The second, the Salon du Gourmet is held each year in November with dozens of exhibitors from all over France to show their crafts.
The Association for autobiography and autobiographical heritage located in Ambérieu-en-Bugey also organizes ad hoc cultural events.
Health
Several medical centres are based in Ambérieu-en-Bugey: other than the mutual clinic there is a maternity unit in the town, a medical practice at Allymes, the Paul-Mourlon centre for early medico-social action, and the specialized home care service also named Paul-Mourlon.
Sports
Infrastructure
The town has several sports facilities: the Cordier, Bellievre, Saint-Exupéry, and Plaine de l'Ain gyms. There is also a nautical centre called Laure Manaudou, the Theo-Tillier[Note 4] stadium, and the skatepark.
The newspaper le Progrès offers a daily edition dedicated to the region of Bugey. Voix de l'Ain is a weekly publication offering local information for different regions of the department. Le Journal du Bugey is a weekly publication more focused on information for the Ambérieu-en-Bugey area and its surroundings.
A local radio station broadcasts the Fréquence Côtière[42] from Montluel. Since the 2000s, the name has evolved into the station FC radio, the essential.
An evangelical Protestant church is located at 31 rue de la Resistance.
Muslim worship
Two prayer halls of the Muslim Faith[45] are located in Ambérieu-en-Bugey: the first is for the Union of Maghreb people of Ain and is located on the rue de la Resistance. The second is run by the Union of Muslim Associations for the Lyon Area and is located on Avenue Paul Painlevé. A building permit has been approved by the town council to build a mosque[46]
In 2017 according to the INSEE survey, the median net income per household was €19,860 per year. 49% of the commune's households were then taxable.[19]
Employment
In 2017 the population of Ambérieu-en-Bugey aged between 15 and 64 was distributed as follows: 76.2% of active people, 11.3% unemployed, 9.5% student or trainee, and 6.1% of retirees.[19]
An employment centre is located in the town.
Distribution of Employees by Zone of Activity in 2017
At 31 December 2015, Ambérieu-en-Bugey had 1,337 business establishments: 52 were specialized in industrial activity, 131 in construction, 907 in trade, 7 in agriculture, and 142 were in public administration, education, health and social work.[19]
In 2018, 114 new companies were established in the territory of which 80 are under the auto-entrepreneur rules.[19]
Culture and heritage
The Gy TowerChâteau des Allymes
Civil monuments
There are three sites in the commune that are registered as historical monuments:
The Tour de Gy Fortified house of Saint Germain (14th century), including the tower, fireplace and spiral staircase.[47]
The Chapel of Our Lady of the Coast (18th century) at Saint-Germain. The Chapel contains two items which are registered as historical objects:
A polychrome wooden Retable (16th century)[49] depicting scenes from the life of the Blessed Virgin in 7 panels
A Painting: Virgin of the Rosary with several Saints (1606)[50]
The Chapel of Allymes
The Church of Saint-Symphorien (19th century) in the town centre.
The Church dedicated to Saint Jean-Marie Vianney (20th century) in the railway station district.
The Temple of the Reformed Church, in the Place Marcelpoil.
Environmental heritage
The commune has several parks:
The Blue Lake in the Vareilles district;
The Château des Echelles Park[51] is ranked as a Remarkable Garden of France where the Jazz in the Park festival used to be held each year;
The Parc du Grand Dunois
Ambérieu-en-Bugey was awarded one flower in the Concours des villes et villages fleuris (Competition for Towns and Villages in bloom) competition in 2005 and second in 2008. In 2014 the commune was awarded two flowers.[52]
In popular culture
Several films were partially shot in Ambérieu-en-Bugey:
^The school is nicknamed Solar School because of the solar panels which cover the roof. On 10 March 2006 a mini-tornado moved and overturned many vehicles and slightly damaged the school however without any injuries.
^The stadium bears the name of the Mayor who succeeded Émile Bravet in 1940.
^ ab"Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 2 December 2020. Archived from the original on 28 June 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
^Mazenot Georges. Mineral Resources of the Lyon region in: Studies of the people of the Rhone. Vol. 12 No. 2, 1936. pp. 123-258. p.162. Read online:[1]Archived 23 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine, 27 June 2011 (in French).
^National CelebrationsArchived 8 September 2023 at the Wayback Machine, Directorate of the Archives of France, 1991, p.248: 31 July, 11h-12h. Affixing of a plaque, consulted on 19 August 2011 (in French)
^B Jacquier, Alexandre Bérard, radical, freemason, BJ (Œuvre Rouge), June 2009, 70 pages, passage 27, ISBN978-2-918632-00-9, Read on line:[2]Archived 8 September 2023 at the Wayback Machine, consulted on 27 June 2011 (in French).
^"Point info Europe & Jumelage". ville-ambérieuenbugey.fr (in French). Ambérieu-en-Bugey. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
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