Combreux

Combreux is a common French, located in the department of the Loiret and the area Center.

Geography

Village on the course of the channel of Orleans, Combreux is located in a break of the forest of Orleans at the North-East of this city.

History

Of Antiquity to the Middle Ages

Combreux existed as of Gallo-Roman antiquity. The Roman way of Orleans to Sens passed near its territory, moreover one finds there Roman broken bricks in quantity. Its Latin name Combriosium, would come from Combri (as old French combres) which means is wood clearing, because according to Aimoin, a monk of the abbey of the Saint-Benoit-on-Loire, died in 1008, Clotaire II to escape its enemies, takes refuge in the forest of Orleans and cuts off itself there behind from the made fortifications of trees cut and amoncelés from the territory of Orleans. Polluche as well as the Patron abbot in his historical research in Orléanais corroborates this explanation. Maybe according to comptemporains authors, such as Silk Jacques, the word Combreux comes from the Gaulois: comboros, which means stopping to stop fish, which is more probable being given the number of pond recovering the communal territory. It is probable that the kings of France knew Combreux between VIIe and IXe century, because they liked to come to drive out in this immense forest; it is quite as probable as the village was equipped with constructions being used as appointment of hunting. Many a catétiens resided at Vitry-aux-Loges, distant of 3,5 km Combreux, where was a royal castle, one of the residences of Henri Ier, who died there in 1006. In 1124, the name of Combreux is mentioned in a donation where GUI of the Tower makes present at Saint-Nicolas-in Acy of “fortifying of Combris, with the country of Orleans”. Towards the end of XIIIe century the name of Combreux reappears, after the mart of Louis saint in 1270. Jean Dugué, a peasant, suffers from an ulcer on the leg which prevents it from working; having learned the miracles which occur with the tomb of this late king, it decides to go in pilgrimage, with the tomb of Louis with St Denis. After several days of walk and prayers, it entirely turns over cured. A Charter dated May 13rd, 1385 appearing in the manuscripts of Daniel Polluche ensures the rights and preferences of the inhabitants of Combreux on the forest D Orleans. The interest of this charter is that she answers a complaint addressed by “the priest and inhabitants of Combreux”, which proves that in XIVe century, this village is already set up in parish whereas its population never exceeds the 400 inhabitants.

the modern time

Combreux is not saved by the wars of religion: in an authenticated forwarding gone back to 1633, Mrs. Marie de Picot born Montliart written there that “by the misfortune of the civil wars, the church of the parish of Combreux devoted to the honor of God and Pierre saint, was by those of the reformed alleged religion, not only set fire to, but ruined to the bases, so that since, the divine service is not celebrated any more there. ” It obtains thereafter the authorization of the bishop of Orleans to rebuild the local church. Since 1636, the building is completed: the terms “news Esglise bastye” appear in an authenticated forwarding dated October 31st, 1636. Combreux does not seem to be marked by the French revolution, for the moment one does not find any trace of this locality during this period.

Combreux of the XIXe century at our days.

In 1803, the parish of Combreux is attached, with that of Seichebrières, with the parish of Vitry-aux-Loges, because it lack of means necessary to provide for the needs for a priest. Until 1840, the made municipal council of many steps so that their village have his own priest. By royal decree of May 31st, 1840 the authorization is given. But the village not being enough rich to restore the church and to build the presbytery, most fortunate of Combreusiens, the count of Rochefoucauld duke of Estissac, agree on January 1st, 1841 to make build and renovate the buildings necessary. It is starting from this date, that the family lady of the manor undertakes great work, a town hall and a school is built, as well as a boarding school held by the sisters of the Providence of Sens. Thereafter this a total tansformation of their castle undertakes, thus a whole of commun runs is built composed of large stables, apartments and houses intended to place the personnel. The castle is him also modified an additional stage is created, and it is decorated in the style Néogothique. Parallel to this great work a pilgrimage in the honor of the Vierge is set up as from 1877, to 20.000 people come to be collected in 1904. Thereafter the number of pilgrims falls and after the Second world war it is stopped. Between 1939 and 1945, Combreux is touched by the war, in 1940, the totality of the population flees, then the village is occupied by the Germans then released in August 1944. Thereafter, Combreux knows like many French villages a demographic decline, and only since the Nineties the population increases and of many houses build themselves.

Demography

Places and monuments

the pond of the valley ; base leisures
Château of Combreux , rebuilt on a building of XVIe century between 1887 and 1905 in a néo-medieval style;
Church Saint-Pierre of the XIXe century.

Administration

Famous characters

the Sorry Marquis , owner of the castle of Combreux.

See too

Common of Loiret

External bonds

Combreux on the site of the national geographical Institute
Combreux on the site of INSEE

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