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The
first name reference to Cléré-sur-Layon
is Clereia in 1096.
In
1782, the village received the name of Cleire that became Cléré-sur-Layon
in 1928. |
| Surface :
2174
hectares |
Population
(1999 census):
351 |
Inhabitants :
Cléréens |
Town
Hall :
Mairie
de Cléré-sur-Layon - 22, rue du Layon - 49560
Cléré-sur-Layon
Tel : 02
41 59 53 14 - Fax :
02 41 59 92 28
e-mail : mairiedecleresurlayon@wanadoo.fr
Opening
hours: Monday and Thursday from 9.00 to
12.00 and from 2.00 to 5.00 p.m –
Wednesday from 9.00 to 12.00 |
|
| * Saint
Francaire’s chapel |
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Cléré-sur-Layon
is famous for its pilgrimage dedicated to Saint Francaire, a
noble Gallo-Roman who was converted to Christianity in 4th
century.
A chapel was built in 1900 on the spot of "Le Mureau",
where Saint Francaire lived. |
|
Below
this chapel is a fountain whose source is said to be
inexhaustible and whose water is believed to cure fevers.
According to the legend, Saint Francaire liked to come to pray
daily at the fountain. |
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The
bell-tower of this church dating from 12th century was rebuilt
in 1825 and the nave in 1897.
Saint
Francaire's relics found in 15th and 16th centuries, are kept in
a reliquary inside the church. |
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Cléré-sur-layon
is also known for its stone quarry opened in 1919 by the company
of the quarries of Cléré.
In 1926, it was estimated that it would take 500 years to
exhaust this 20 million cubic metres of rock.
Today, the quarry can produce 600 000 tons of material per year
and dispatches its production within a 80 kilometers radius. |
|
Perrine
Potier, a
native of
Cléré-sur-layon,
was
shot on April 16,
1794
on the Champ des Martyrs in
Avrillé because of her attachment to monarchy.
She was beatified on February 19, 1984. |
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