Lectoure

Lectoure

Coat of arms
Lectoure

Coordinates: 43°56′07″N 0°37′19″E / 43.9353°N 0.6219°E / 43.9353; 0.6219Coordinates: 43°56′07″N 0°37′19″E / 43.9353°N 0.6219°E / 43.9353; 0.6219
Country France
Region Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées
Department Gers
Arrondissement Condom
Canton Lectoure
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Gérard Duclos
Area1 84.93 km2 (32.79 sq mi)
Population (2008)2 3,746
 • Density 44/km2 (110/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 32208 / 32700
Elevation 68–223 m (223–732 ft)
(avg. 182 m or 597 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Lectoure (French pronunciation: ​[lɛktuʀ]; Occitan: Leitora [lejˈtuɾɔ]) is a commune in the Gers department in the Midi-Pyrénées in southwestern France.

It is located 32 km (20 mi) north of Auch, the capital of the department, 30 km (19 mi) south of Agen and approximately 76 km (47 mi) northwest of Toulouse.

History

Lectoure was a prehistoric oppidum, capital of Lactorates.The barbarian invasions successive forcing residents to reconsider the height, to raise the walls and make Lectoure a stronghold for centuries.

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.

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±%
19623,908—    
19683,950+1.1%
19753,790−4.1%
19823,923+3.5%
19904,034+2.8%
19993,933−2.5%
20083,746−4.8%

Sights

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 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 La Romieu.

Cuisine

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

Personalities

See also

References

    External links

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