11th-century Cahouët Bridge ("Pont de Cahouët"), wrongly called the "Roman Bridge" ("Pont Romain") – it does not date from Roman times. Small bridge over the river Falleron.
Castle of Machecoul, also known as "Castle of Gilles de Rais" ("Château de Gilles de Rais") or "Bluebeard's castle" ("Château de Barbe-Bleue"): close to the town centre are the ruins of the 13th-century castle of the town, once owned by the infamous child-murderer Gilles de Rais (1404–1440). Nowadays, on summer evenings, one can partake of a son et lumière show telling his story.
The "Auditoire" (18th-century). A former court's main hall (central part), which was built in 1755.
The Lime Kiln ("Four à Chaux") (1857). Located on Saint-Michel Island, rich in limestone. Restored in 2001.
Les Halles (1885).
The Hippodrome des Chaumes (1885).
The former Segin Distillery (1886).
Economy
On the edge of town is the Gitane bicycle factory. Fans of the Tour de France will recall the Breton cyclist Bernard Hinault riding for them in the 1970s.
Machecoul has a weekly street market where one can buy roasted poulet noir, the black chicken of Challans.
Gilles de Rais (1404–1440), noble, soldier, and one time brother-in-arms of Joan of Arc. He was later accused and ultimately convicted of torturing, raping and murdering dozens, if not hundreds, of young children, mostly boys.
Marc Daviaud (born 1958), retired French professional footballer
machecoul, breton, machikoul, former, commune, loire, atlantique, department, western, france, january, 2016, merged, into, commune, saint, même, inhabitants, called, site, first, massacre, opening, vendée, 1793, part, saint, mêmethe, town, hall, coat, armsloc. Machecoul Breton Machikoul is a former commune in the Loire Atlantique department in western France On 1 January 2016 it was merged into the new commune of Machecoul Saint Meme 2 Its 5 732 inhabitants are called Machecoulais It was the site of First Massacre of Machecoul the opening of the War in the Vendee in 1793 MachecoulPart of Machecoul Saint MemeThe town hall in MachecoulCoat of armsLocation of MachecoulMachecoulShow map of FranceMachecoulShow map of Pays de la LoireCoordinates 46 59 38 N 1 49 18 W 46 9939 N 1 8217 W 46 9939 1 8217 Coordinates 46 59 38 N 1 49 18 W 46 9939 N 1 8217 W 46 9939 1 8217CountryFranceRegionPays de la LoireDepartmentLoire AtlantiqueArrondissementNantesCantonMachecoul Saint MemeCommuneMachecoul Saint MemeArea166 62 km2 25 72 sq mi Population 2019 1 6 358 Density95 km2 250 sq mi Time zoneUTC 01 00 CET Summer DST UTC 02 00 CEST Postal code44270Elevation0 36 m 0 118 ft avg 5 m or 16 ft 1 French Land Register data which excludes lakes ponds glaciers gt 1 km2 0 386 sq mi or 247 acres and river estuaries Contents 1 Geography 2 Population 3 Sights 4 Economy 5 Twin towns 6 People 7 See also 8 ReferencesGeography EditThe commune of Machecoul is surrounded by the following communes in Loire Atlantique Bourgneuf en Retz Fresnay en Retz Saint Meme le Tenu Saint Mars de Coutais Saint Lumine de Coutais Saint Philbert de Grand Lieu La Marne Paulx in Vendee Bois de Cene Population EditHistorical populationYearPop 20065 732 20075 771 0 7 20085 811 0 7 20095 872 1 0 20105 914 0 7 20115 950 0 6 20126 013 1 1 20136 076 1 0 Sights EditGallo Roman Wood Lighthouse Phare a Bois 8th century Merovingian sarcophagi Many old mills 11th century Notre Dame de la Chaume abbey Former 13th century Romanesque church La Trinite church 1881 11th century Cahouet Bridge Pont de Cahouet wrongly called the Roman Bridge Pont Romain it does not date from Roman times Small bridge over the river Falleron Castle of Machecoul also known as Castle of Gilles de Rais Chateau de Gilles de Rais or Bluebeard s castle Chateau de Barbe Bleue close to the town centre are the ruins of the 13th century castle of the town once owned by the infamous child murderer Gilles de Rais 1404 1440 Nowadays on summer evenings one can partake of a son et lumiere show telling his story The Auditoire 18th century A former court s main hall central part which was built in 1755 The Lime Kiln Four a Chaux 1857 Located on Saint Michel Island rich in limestone Restored in 2001 Les Halles 1885 The Hippodrome des Chaumes 1885 The former Segin Distillery 1886 Economy EditOn the edge of town is the Gitane bicycle factory Fans of the Tour de France will recall the Breton cyclist Bernard Hinault riding for them in the 1970s Machecoul has a weekly street market where one can buy roasted poulet noir the black chicken of Challans Twin towns EditMachecoul is twinned with Uhlingen Birkendorf Baden Wurttemberg Germany Shifnal Shropshire United Kingdom Valea Drăganului Transylvania Romania People EditMachecoul was the birthplace of Gilles de Rais 1404 1440 noble soldier and one time brother in arms of Joan of Arc He was later accused and ultimately convicted of torturing raping and murdering dozens if not hundreds of young children mostly boys Marc Daviaud born 1958 retired French professional footballer Marc Eliard born 1958 bass player of the new wave rock band Indochine Cedric Michaud born 1976 marathon speed skater Mickael Landreau born 1979 professional football soccer player See also EditCommunes of the Loire Atlantique department Wikimedia Commons has media related to Machecoul References Edit Telechargement du fichier d ensemble des populations legales en 2019 INSEE Arrete prefectoral 23 November 2015 This Loire Atlantique geographical article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Machecoul amp oldid 1109958252, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
