Fronsac, Gironde
Commune in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fronsac (French pronunciation: [fʁɔ̃sak]; Occitan: Fronçac) is a commune in the Gironde department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in southwestern France. The town gave its name to the Fronsac AOC wine.
Fronsac | |
|---|---|
The church in Fronsac | |
.svg) Coat of arms | |
 Location of Fronsac | |
  Fronsac Location within France  Fronsac Location within Nouvelle-Aquitaine | |
| Coordinates: 44°55′30″N 0°16′19″W | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Nouvelle-Aquitaine |
| Department | Gironde |
| Arrondissement | Libourne |
| Canton | Le Libournais-Fronsadais |
| Intercommunality | Fronsadais |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2020–2026) | Marcel Durant[1] |
Area 1 | 15.29 km2 (5.90 sq mi) |
| Population (2023)[2] | 1,130 |
| • Density | 73.9/km2 (191/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 33174 /33126 |
| Elevation | 1–84 m (3.3–275.6 ft) (avg. 30 m or 98 ft) |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
Geography
The commune is situated in the Fronsadais and is bordered on the south by the river Dordogne and on the east by the river Isle, which separates it from Libourne. Fronsac is 40 km northeast of Bordeaux and 5 km northwest of Libourne and the Saint-Émilion and Pomerol appellations.
History
Fronsac's mound owes its history to its privileged position. It was the site of the Gauls' market, the Romans erected an altar there, and Charlemagne built a fortified camp on the mound ("Franciacus") in 769, where the Basques led by duke Lupo came to pledge allegiance to the Frankish King after Aquitaine's submission. In 849, Fronsac was pillaged by Hasting, the chief of the Vikings.[3] The Marechal of Richelieu had a "folly" built there, to an extravagant architectural design, where he held courtly entertainments. As word spread of these events, the renown of Fronsac's wines was carried with it to the Court of Versailles. In the 18th Century, the names of Fronsac and Canon Fronsac enjoyed a very good reputation. It was at this time that the concept of "cru" first appeared in the Libournais.
Population
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 1,155 | — |
| 1975 | 1,129 | −0.32% |
| 1982 | 1,170 | +0.51% |
| 1990 | 1,067 | −1.15% |
| 1999 | 1,042 | −0.26% |
| 2007 | 1,043 | +0.01% |
| 2012 | 1,146 | +1.90% |
| 2017 | 1,153 | +0.12% |
| 2023 | 1,130 | −0.34% |
| Source: INSEE[4] | ||
Administration
| Period | Name | Party | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983–present (re-elected in May 2020) | Marcel Durant | The Republicans | Retired farmer |
Sights
- Saint-Martin's Church, which is classed as a Monument historique, (historical monument).
Personalities
- Guillaume-Sanche de Pommiers, Sire of Pommiers, Viscount of Fronsac
- Joachim Rouhault de Gamaches
International Relations
Fronsac is twinned with Pasiano di Pordenone.[5]
Wine
Situated on the right bank of the Gironde River, the commune is an appellation in itself, as well as a sub-appellation, Canon-Fronsac AOC.
