Balloon (the Sarthe)

Geography

Balloon: Key or Carries from Maine, with the doors of Mans
" In this country, with the single circuit lines, the hill of Balloon, projected out of spur above the plain, is of ues and a great beauty. To the foot of the hill extends, long, green, placid, populated of a multitude of cattle and horses, the valley of the Saosnoise Flowering ash of which the river spark. Towards the setting one, is held all alpine range Mancelles: to north, the Chaumont hillock and the wooded solid mass of Ecouves limit the table… the tan great effect with the feudal city and ruins which crown it. It is the end of the solid mass of hills which begin in Mans… the horizons that one discovers of the top of this headland are more immensbleau striking by his vastness that by the precision of the details, but it is really imposing and constitutes one of more moving panoramas by Ouest."
(collected in " Sarthe" local geography - Graffin Bookstore - 1958)

Localities and variations

while going towards this setting, by the road of montbizot which starts with the crossroads St Laurent, you have several farm to arrive has " Blotterie" , which is withdrawn from the road, concurrently to this farm is located a puit or one can draw water with a pan because water arrives at the strong current of curbstone, on the line with the site of an old barn by scraping the ground a little….fossils of anomite will appear, proof that the sea arrived until, million years ago.

Communes bordering

The communes bordering are: .

History

Administration

Demography

Religious heritage

Tourist monuments and places

CASTLE

The castle of Balloon is located in dominant position on a rocky outcrop at the point of a plate dominating the Saosnois. Placed between Maine and Normandy, the fortress was the stake many battles.

The establishment of the castle is old, because it is mentioned at the beginning of the 11th century. It would have been built by Guillaume Ier de Bellême, in order to be used as fulcrum against the family of the counts of Maine. The fortress quickly became the objective of Norman which sought to conquer the south of the area. The castle was besieged a score of time during the 11th century. It was occupied inter alia by the count of Maine, Herbert Éveille Dog in 1031, by William the Conqueror in 1064 and Robert II of Bellême in 1080 (1098?) who made rebuild the castle on his current site. In 1089, Hélie of the Arrow seized Balloon and benefitted from it to devastate the neighborhoods. Á to leave the 12th century, Ballon passed between the hands of the family of Chaources, which preserved the castle during two hundred years. The seigniory is then under the Anglo-Norman influence. In order to put an end to hegemony Plantagenêt, Philippe-Auguste went in the Maine. It twice seized Balloon in 1189 and 1199. The fortress of Balloon then was burned and dismantled. Philippe-Auguste made it rebuild and placed there Hugues de Beauçais.

Zoom on the 100 year old war

During the One hundred Year old war, the fortress had to undergo a certain number of seats. In 1361, Robert Mareschal which was an English knight, besieged the castle. He benefitted from it to plunder the surroundings. The French took again Ballon and placed at its Jean command of Laval. This last took the name of Jean de Ballon. The English again made the seat of the castle in 1392. Then the ground of Balloon was given by will of Jeanne de Beauçay, gone back to 1394 with its nephew Olivier de Prez, who took possession in 1402 of it. Balloon was taken again by the English in 1417 and 1419. After ten days of seat, Ballon returns on the French side on September 14th, 1421. The army was ordered by the duke of Aumale and the marshal of Fayette. It seems that Ambroise de Loré took part in this combat. In 1434, the English returned again to Ballon to seize the city and to shave the fortress then directed by the sior of Thouars (Balloon) and the lord of Maridort (Underlined). After this period of conflict, the girl of Hardouin VIII, Renee de Maillé, lady of Balloon, married in 1452, Jacques de Surgère, chamberlain of the king. This lord, rich person and powerful started as from 1469, the rebuilding of the keep and the part of Balloon burned by the English. The rebuilding of the castle was finished by Jeannot d' Iynurse in 1505.

General architecture

The castle is appeared today as a keep surrounded by an enclosure and ditches. The door of the drawbridge dating from XIIIe century was modified in XVIe century. The home whose form resembles that of a iron-with-horse is protected by some 2 m thickness walls. The latter, strongly altered in XVe century, are very old. This tower of four stages is crowned of a higher gallery on machicolation, bored later on broad bays. Its Eastern frontage giving on the interior court was bored at the end of XVe century of windows with cross-pieces decorated with sculptures. On the walls the vestiges of a bretèche remain.

Structure

Context of the period of rebuilding:

• The fear of the war is always present • Will to reaffirm its capacity by means of the castle with elements symbolic systems • The castle becomes more residential, because defenses became quasi-useless vis-a-vis artillery.

Main building: side court:

To insist on the windows with cross: that indicates that the castle has a true residential value. The fortresses of the previous centuries did not comprise any in a defensive concern. With the arrival of artillery, all the design of defense changed. That the castles have or not windows, that does not change anything any more. The lords at the end of XVe century, are sensitive to comfort. The light is a comfort and a luxury. After the war, the holders of castles and manors especially try to be protected from the armed robbery. This is why, of the grids were posed on the windows. For Balloon, the traces of these elements are visible on crossings of the first two levels of the home.

Importance of the turns: They are very important elements by their symbolic system. For the manors they are comparable with the old keeps of the feudal period. Each lord wishes to be made build a tower in order to reaffirm his capacity. They do not have any military capacity. The square tower of the castle comprises small parts lit by chamfered openings. It does not comprise any defensive system. The tower incorporated in the home up to the fourth levels, ending in a slate arrow, comprises a staircase out of stone screw. Á its top, it takes the shape of a polygonal tower. The turns of staircases polygonal, are characteristic of XV-XVIe century (period of rebuilding). They are visible in a great number of home. That of Balloon is original, because it comprises a bretèche (partly destroyed today). Questions arise on the presence and the function of this defensive element. It had really a military role, or simply symbolic system. In the first case, it controls the main door, but the presence of large windows on the left, makes him lose of its effectiveness. It is undoubtedly used against the armed robbery, because its size and its situation make it possible to dissuade a small troop. On the other hand, in the event of seats it is not used strictly for nothing. Its function symbolic system is important, because the construction of any defensive element is done only with the authorization of the suzerain. The lord of Balloon has thus the privilege to be able to build such a building, this shows that it could preserve an important capacity.

Importance of the decoration: The ostentation of the decorations is a significant element of the richness of the lord. The more it has money and the more it looks after the ornaments of its castle. This frontage is decorated sculptures. All do crossings comprise bases of windows which take the form of??? (It is necessary to redefine for the precise case of Balloon: in general the decorations are vegetable, anthropomorphic human, characters or grotesque or zoomorphes fantastic, like the waste-gas mains). All crossings comprise mouldings with throats and nets (very with the mode for the Gothic period). Finally the main door comprises also mouldings. The entries are particularly neat, because they are the required passage of the visitors.

Dating: There undoubtedly remain elements of the old fortress, but they are not easy to detect. However, the square tower seems older than the tower of staircase. But prudence!!!!!! The tower of staircase can be it also old and largely modified in 1469. It is certain that its top dates from the rebuilding, just like the windows with carved crossings (all these elements are “with the mode” at the end of XVe century and are seldom employed before).

Main building: side ditches:

On this side, the castle with the aspect of a fortress. The defensive elements are much more visible. First of all, one can see archères. They are very long, but do not have any more any utility at the end of XVe century. Let us notice that they are just near large windows with crossings. They are not used for nothing in this case. Question: Are the loopholes they contemporary with the windows? If they are older, they could have their defensive function. If they were built in 1469, their function is only purely symbolic system. Note: It is strange not to find drain-holes (it would have to be checked if there are not some on this frontage).

This gross tower is crowned machicolation. Just like the drawbridge, these elements defensive is built on authorization of the suzerain. It is about a very useful and effective defensive element, but he is also highly symbolic system.

What it is necessary to retain: The castle of Balloon was a very important fortress during most of the medieval period. Its current aspect is characteristic of the end of XVe century. It is about a strong castle transforming itself into castle residence. It defines well new waitings of the lords of the end of the Middle Ages: luxate and comfort (to evoke the function of the chimney and their neat decorations). The defensive elements, having gradually lost their functions, are used to reaffirm the capacity of powerful after a true crisis period.

Economy

Famous characters

Le general Louis François Coutard (1769 - 1852)

Louis Coutard according to its biographer Henri de Riancey, is the downward one of a family of Balloon honourably known since XVIè century. After the “Large fire of 1705” which ruins good number of inhabitants, the Coutard family loses her goods. Coutard, in the parochial registers, follow the occupation of merchants consequently

The family remains with the hotel of the Walls (private mansion inhabited during time by magistrates and middle-class man of Balloon). February 19th, 1769 Louis François Coutard is born there.

Dealt with by his godfather the abbot Huard, priest of the Seam in Mans, Louis Coutard makes his humanities within famous Collège of the Oratory in Mans. Its engagement and its religious convictions let predict that it would devote its life to an ecclesiastical state. At the end of the class of rhetoric (end of schooling), it abruptly leaves the college for what it judges an injustice and engages, like private, in the 26e regiment of Infantry of Bresse. It is hardly 18 years old. Louis Coutard always faithful to the Catholic religion, will spend 43 years under the uniform of the French Army. The importance of the Huard abbot in the life of Louis Coutard is considerable. Not only they are cousins, but the abbot becomes his godfather then his “manager” responsible for the management of his goods in the Sarthe and in Ballon in particular.

One finds Louis Coutard in the constitutional Garde of King Louis XVI. With the dissolution of the regiment, it engages in the 1st Battalion of the Sarthe. It will have to fight the Vendean ones. From 1793, it will take part in the campaigns out of France then, later, with the Napoleonean epopee. As of the beginning of engagements, Coutard is wounded. It fights in Valmy with the rank of captain. We find it during the countryside of Italy, courageous, always with the head of its men, recognized for his intelligence and its direction of the strategy on the battle field. A rare behavior that it is necessary to underline: Coutard always respects the civil populations. Its troops do not make various exactions, require only that which they need for food. The letters and demonstrations of thanks when it leaves an occupied area prove the behavior chivalrous and sympathizing towards overcome.

A score of year after these events, Louis Coutard is found in Ballon or it will remain there 2 months, it will be nourished and to place like was the prefect in these temps.POur to thank them, he will plant nearly 20 limes tisaniers, very expensive at that time (they had as a property to have sheets comparable with mint but calming the headaches). Only some limes remain still nowadays, several in Ballons and others with underlined under balloons.

Coutard will take part in all the campaigns of Napoleon, will be on the battle fields whose names resound in all the memories. The general will express a great regret: it did not order during the mythical battle of Austerlitz. Coutard, conscious of its value claims, rightly, the legion of honor in 1803. It will be then made Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor by Louis XVIII. Coutard will cross all Europe, combatant with bravery. It is under the orders of the Davout marshal in Poland in 1808. It is during this stay that it meets Helene Davout of the Vines (pertaining to the elder branch of the Davout family) born in 1767 and that it marries in Warsaw. During these years of combat within the large army, Coutard acquires a title of nobility: it is made baron of empire. As it was current among the officers, it engages in military freemasonry during the empire. Its career on the battle field finishes in 1813. Its 4th wound prohibits to him from now on to ride a horse. It gained with the combat its gallons of brigadier general.

The French history is again agitated. Napoleon abdicates after the 100 days. Louis XVIII goes up on the throne and Coutard becomes burning defender of the royalty. It makes watch of imagination, convictions and complete membership to the “white banner with flower of lily”.

Then begin the second part of her activity within the army. Coutard remains on the national territory, it pacifies, makes safe border zones: Rochefort, the Pyrenees, Brest and Besancon, in the name of the king of France.

Its energy will be unbounded to serve Charles X. a heavy responsibility falls on to him, it is named Gouverneur of the 1st Military region, i.e. Gouverneur of Paris.

Louis Coutard, elected official twice with the House of Commons, represents Mamers: in 1827 then in 1830. When the revolution starts, Coutard resigns of its mandate of Deputy. The general Louis Coutard, baron of empire, count hereditary of the decision of Louis XVIII, large Officer of the Legion of Honor, large Cross about Saint Louis, gentleman of the room of the king, enter in retirement after 43 years to the service of its country. Louis Coutard will die in Paris on March 19th, 1852. It would not be possible to want to speak about Louis Coutard without insisting on his attachment at the town of Balloon which it visited as soon as he could it and of which he was the benefactor. It gave sums of money considerable to renovate buildings of hospital and to improve their comfort, to create place of Balloon (place of the Fairground which was named at the time “Coutard Place”), to decorate, repair and increase the church. In 1826, a festival in its honor is given to Ballon. It then is called the “benefactor”. However, a few years later, it avoids accuracy a lawsuit brought by the city against him: the Council of Balloon made it responsible for the insufficiencies of the company which had carried out work of restoration of the church. The personality of the general Coutard, his animated life, its active participation at the great stages of our history between 1787 and 1852 justify fully that it remains in the memory of his birthplace: Balloon. conference given by Mrs Isabelle de Goyon - Balloon - 8/27/2006

Turnings

the Good match , French film carried out by Eric Rohmer in 1982.

Events

29 August 1705: the Fire of Balloon

The samedy vingtneufvieme day daoust fette of the decapitation? of St Jean Baptist appalling in the town of balloon arrived embrazement which started has three hours and half by the fire of the furnace of certain ironmongers who faisoient their cast iron in the small street of deriere the house God, which is also embraze in which it there avoit a library which valoit well seven has eight millet books also embrazee, which fournaize etoit near the large door to lecurie of the cross green which leads to the crossroads of the large Savage, which by a breath of wind of… fist to push fire in stable-lad Ecurie who ensuitte consumed and burned entirely forty five houses which contenoint sixty households which for more the share vivoint rather conveniently their work and the whole without including/understanding there the markets which without as a miracle penserent to make burn leglise which even was endomagee by several will cheverons and skirtings which were demy flarings, in led embrazement bruleron two men to scavoir there a poor unknown of in lhopital, and François gaultier wire of lhotelery of believe green, and of lautre with dimensions a poor lady vefve JOUYE was there also etouffee by the smoke of the fire which was the following days with a half found part brulee desd poor cidessus ensepulture in the cemetery dud balloon by Mr. DREUX cleans dud place.
Chose terrible this poor lady JOUYE in spite of the flames of fire was fouillee and stolen of forty or fifty Escus, it was not only, it nor does not have almost dhabitants which for cuiter lentier flashover portoint all their pieces of furniture and effects in the close fields and of more than three thousand people who came either by curiosity, or to relieve the habitans has to draw their effects and pieces of furniture of their houses which etoint touttes menacees dun whole flashover to fly as that this made by more half of these unhappy which will steal and plunder the pieces of furniture and effects of these poor afflict which have summers obliged den to have a monitoire.
Le mercredy September second by ordinance of MRE. Baillif Estienne JODEAUX dud place which acted during all this embrazement with great prudence, vigilance and charity was faitte montree to present has a police chief of lelection of the mans for then representing it has Mr. Lintendant, stable-lad montree made by most skilful, carpenters, roofers, mass city of the mans, balloon and of St Mars which goes up for the carpenters has seventy eight millet seven hundred books, for the roofers sixty and twelve millet five hundred books, for let us mass sixty and fourteen millet six hundred and five books, without including/understanding the fittings joinery the glazing who goes up has more than thirty millet books.

1st and 2nde world war: A battle take place with Ballon on July 8th, 1944, after the unloading of Normandy, the 2nd dB release Ballon. German opposed a resistance a car machine-gun was hidden in the hillock rousseau, and after the passage of the last vehicle of this 2nd dB, the S left and one put fire at the hotel of the black head, they drew on all which moved, it is as that which Mr. Mézière was killed in the main street., however noted little that the captain Ferdinand Bringuet was seriously wounded by excavating a farm, according to him, 2 soldiers S was kasher in the stable and have to draw above to him with bearing end. The owner of the farm, Jerome Club successful to make leave the soldiers and called upon the stretcher-bearers of the regiment who arrived in time to save Bringuet. The joint one of Ferdinand Bringuet was gift with the owner of the farm several shrubs, of which a cormier (very expensive, rare, at the time). The Pseudonym of the farm taken later the name of small cormier (because of the small size of the shrub compared with the firm neighbor which had of it a much more " grands").

Touttes which true Jassure things to be eyewitness dud flashover and of the expert desd report/ratio in front of led sior Judges. Fact this sixth millet September seven hundred and five.
Signé: Angoulvent
Source: Departmental records of the Sarthe - Courceboeufs (1 MID 840 IH).

23 July 1789: the " Fou" Thursday;

Twinnings

, Lincolnshire, to see

References

External bonds

http://www.office-de-tourisme.org/tourisme/france/pays-de-la-loire/sarthe/ballon.htm

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