Town of Doué-la-Fontaine

Mairie de Doué-la-Fontaine Place de l'hôtel de ville mairie@ville-douelafontaine.fr www.ville-douelafontaine.fr Tél : 02 41 83 11 83 Fax : 02 41 83 11 89

Monday – Thursday : 9am – 12.30pm and 2pm – 5.30pm Friday: 9am – 12.30pm and  2pm – 5pm Saturday: 9am – 12am except July and August

 

Located at the main junction between the Northern and Southern Loire, the Region of Douessin is part of the International Tourist Pole of Saumur and the surrounding region, as well as the Regional Natural Park of Loire-Anjou-Touraine. At the heart of this district is Doué la Fontaine, the main town of the region, with a rich history covering more than 20 centuries, has today caught up with its past. Around 20 to 25 million years ago; the Falun Sea occupied this region. The retreat of the sea towards the west created the Falun, (a thick layer of limestone containing debris of shells). It was in 814 that for the first time, the name of Theoadus "le gué de Dieu (the ford of God) appeared, and which became “Doué.  Louis le Pieux, Charlemagne's son, owned a house that he occupied at that time; it is here that he learned of the death of his father and became king.

 

Decades later, the Norman pillaging drove people from the Loire to take refuge in the deep cellars of the city: the troglodyte houses developed here. In the 10th century, the royal residence "Carolingian House" was burnt to the ground. Trade and commerce developed around the churches of St Denis and St Pierre. The feudal period was a sign of prosperity for Doué despite local wars with the neighboring lords. The ramparts encircle the city and the castle defended and dominated the town. After the Hundred Years War, Doué developed economically due to the commercial expansion of Europe at that time. The Fairs brought a lot of people; they came to buy, to sell, but also for entertainment. It is thought that in the 16th century, an outdoor theatre, later called "les Arènes", was built on the site of old quarries.

 

To return to the homepage, click here.