Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives

Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives

Benedictine abbey

Coat of arms
Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives

Coordinates: 49°01′N 0°02′W / 49.02°N 0.03°W / 49.02; -0.03Coordinates: 49°01′N 0°02′W / 49.02°N 0.03°W / 49.02; -0.03
Country France
Region Normandy
Department Calvados
Arrondissement Lisieux
Canton Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives
Intercommunality Trois Rivières
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Jack Thézard
Area1 9.68 km2 (3.74 sq mi)
Population (2008)2 3,623
 • Density 370/km2 (970/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
INSEE/Postal code 14654 / 14170
Elevation 23–74 m (75–243 ft)
(avg. 32 m or 105 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives is a commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region in northwestern France.

The abbey church was rebuilt in the 12th century and 13th centuries and restored and modified in the 16th and 17th centuries, replacing the former abbey church built in 1011 by William the Conqueror's aunt, Countess Lesceline. The church was entirely restored in the 16th century. By that time it got its general current appearance: a long main nave with two aisles and five radiating chapels, in the Gothic style.

11th-century market hall

11th century market hall.

The market hall (Halles de Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives in French) is an example of Norman medieval architecture and dates from the 11th century. It was originally used by the Benedictine monks of the abbey to sell their goods to the locals. The structure was listed as a historical monument the 6 March 1889. The hall was completely destroyed by fire during the German withdrawal from the area in the summer of 1944. The halls were rebuilt using chestnut wood (same as the original).


Events

A busy Monday market outside the 11th century market hall in St Pierre sur Dives, Normandy, France.

Weekly open-air market every Monday morning in the square which surrounds the 11th-century market hall. Cattle market every Monday in the market square. About a hundred calves are sold to the breeders every week as well as sheep, pigs and some goats. There is also an antiques market the first Sunday of each month at the Halles.

Sights

The Protective Botanical Garden collects old varieties of flowers and vegetables.

International relations

The commune is twinned with the following towns.

Flag Country Town Location
Belgium Belgium Jodoigne Walloon Brabant
United Kingdom United Kingdom Ivybridge Devon
Germany Germany Kleinwallstadt Lower Franconia

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±%
19623,356—    
19683,765+12.2%
19754,274+13.5%
19824,506+5.4%
19903,993−11.4%
19993,977−0.4%
20083,623−8.9%







See also

References

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