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We
know little about the history of the commune before 1100, but a
Gallic camp is said to have existed
on the hill that overlooks the commune.
A priest gave the
village its name “Sanctus Paulus” (Saint Paul) and added
“a Bosco” because an immense forest covered the commune up
to marshy fields.
Over the centuries, the monks of
the priory drained the marshes and cleared the forest.
It allowed raising animals, as the clay ground was not good for
cultivation. |
| Surafce :
2658
hectares |
Population
(1999 census) :
563 |
Inhabitants :
Saint Paulais |
Town
hall :
Mairie
de Saint Paul-du-Bois
- 1, rue du
Bois d’Anjou
-
49310 Saint Paul-du-Bois
Tel : 02 41 75 82 08 - Fax : 02 41 75 68
50
e-mail : mairiestpaul@wanadoo.fr
- site
internet : www.saintpauldubois.com
Opening
hours of the Mayor’s Office : every day from
9.00 to 12.00 and from 1.30 to 5.00 pm
(exept Monday and Wednesday morning and Saturday
afternoon) |
|
| Saint
Paul-du-Bois during the Guerres de
Vendée : |
|
During
the Guerres de Vendée
a
good many inhabitants took to the hills or joined the Vendéen
army in order to keep their religious convictions and to oppose
the ideas of religious reform. |
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|
The
church, built in the 12th century, was burnt down during
the Guerres de Vendée.
Another was rebuilt just afterwards : the choir and the trancept
date from 1828 to 1829 and the nave in 1838.
The Master-altar is a miniature of the one in
Cathedral in Angers. |
| * The
Chapel of Haute-Foy |
|
|
Saint
Paul-du-Bois has a
“chemin de croix” (walk of the crosses)
which leads to the Notre
Dame of Haute Foy chapel, one the Angevine Madonnas is celebrated on the days of
the Virgin
(15 August).
The
current chapel was built from 1849 to 1851 on the site
of a previous chapel dating back to the 13th century.
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The
“chemin de la croix” and the large wrought iron cross were
fitted in 1970.
Today,
the 15th of August and 8th of
September of each year, more than 2000 faithfuls worship here. |
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