Lectoure

Lectoure (French pronunciation: ​[lɛktuʀ]; Gascon: Leitora [lejˈtuɾɔ]) is a commune in the Gers department in the Occitanie region in southwestern France.

Lectoure
Commune
A general view of Lectoure
Coat of arms
Location of Lectoure
Lectoure
Lectoure
Coordinates: 43°56′07″N 0°37′19″E
CountryFrance
RegionOccitanie
DepartmentGers
ArrondissementCondom
CantonLectoure-Lomagne
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Gérard Duclos
Area
1
84.93 km2 (32.79 sq mi)
Population
 (2017-01-01)[1]
3,664
 • Density43/km2 (110/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
32208 /32700
Elevation68–223 m (223–732 ft)
(avg. 182 m or 597 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

It is located 32 km (20 mi) north of Auch, the capital of the department, 30 km (19 mi) south of Agen and approximately 76 km (47 mi) northwest of Toulouse.

Geography

The village is located on the right bank of the Gers, which flows north through the western part of the commune. The river Auroue forms part of the commune's southeastern and northeastern borders.

Lectoure and its surrounding communes

History

Lectoure was a prehistoric oppidum, capital of Lactorates. Barbarian invasions forced residents to raise the walls and make Lectoure a stronghold for centuries. The town became the capital city of the Earldom of Armagnac, ruled by a powerful family descended from the ancient Dukes of Gascony, who held court at Lectoure. Enemies of the French crown under many pretexts, allies of the English, plotters and traitors, the Armagnacs were eventually eliminated by King Louis XI and the city was largely destroyed.

Population
Historical population
YearPop.±%
19623,908—    
19683,950+1.1%
19753,790−4.1%
19823,923+3.5%
19904,034+2.8%
19993,933−2.5%
20083,746−4.8%

Sites of interest

Lectoure has been designated as a "town of art and history" (French: Villes et Pays d'Art et d'Histoire) by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication since 1985. The town hall was built between 1676 and 1682 by bishop Hugues de Bar.

Way of St. James

Lectoure is a town on the Via Podiensis, one of the three major French arms of the Way of St. James. This route is followed by those making the pilgrimage from Le Puy by way of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostella in northwest Spain. Pilgrims arrive at Lectoure after Miradoux and next pass through Marsolan and La Romieu.

Cuisine

Locally produced Armagnac and foie gras are available and popular delicacies.

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "Populations légales 2017". INSEE. Retrieved 6 January 2020.


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