Canton Paray-le-Monial Population (2006) 9,502 Local time Thursday 4:23 AM | Intercommunality Paray-le-Monial Area 25.2 km² | |
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Region Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Weather 6°C, Wind E at 8 km/h, 90% Humidity Points of interest Basilica of Paray‑le‑Monial, Musée du Hiéron, Le Musée Paul Charnoz | ||
Paray-le-Monial [pa.ʁɛ.lə.mɔn.jal] is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in the region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in eastern France.
Contents
- Map of 71600 Paray le Monial France
- Geography
- History
- Main sights
- Economy
- Notable people
- Twin towns Sister cities
- Tourism
- References
Map of 71600 Paray-le-Monial, France
Geography
The river Bourbince flows northwestward through the commune and crosses the town.
History
Paray (Paredum; Parodium) existed before the monks who gave it its surname of Le Monial, for when Count Lambert of Chalon, together with his wife Adelaide and his friend Mayeul de Cluny, founded there in 973 the celebrated Benedictine priory, the borough had already been constituted, with its ædiles and communal privileges. At that time an ancient temple was dedicated to the Mother of God (Charter of Paray). The Cluny monks were, 999-1789, lords of the town.
Main sights
The town is mainly known for its Romanesque church of the Sacré-Coeur ("Sacred Heart") and as a place of pilgrimage. It was built from the 12th century as a small-scale version of the Abbey of Cluny. It was finished in the 14th century, while the cloister dates to the 18th century.
The Hôtel de Ville, in Renaissance style, the façade of which is adorned with a large statue of the Blessed Virgin, is also one of the historical monuments.
Another major building in Paray-le-Monial, is Saint Nicolas' tower, built during the 16th century, which hosts different exhibitions but mainly mosaic exhibitions.
Economy
The area's primary industry is agriculture in particular dairy farming.
Notable people
Paray-le-Monial was the birthplace of:
Paray-le-Monial was also home to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, where, in the Visitation convent, she had visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Twin towns - Sister cities
Paray-le-Monial is twinned with:
Tourism
In Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, you can see :