The Franche-Comté is a French Région of 16202 km2. It accounts for 3% of the territory French and gathers four departments: the Doubs (25), the Haute-Saône (70), the the Jura (39) and the Territory of Belfort (90). If the three first extend each one on approximately 5000 km2, the last occupies only 610 km2 and form the smallest metropolitan department apart from the Parisian crown.
The Franche-Comté is made up of 1.786 common whose average surface is largely lower than the metropolitan average (9 km instead of 15). The small communes are most numerous: two thirds of them do not reach the regional average. Its inhabitant (E) S are the Inhabitants of Franche-Comté - Inhabitants of Franche-Compt3e.
Besancon, the regional capital and first city of the area in term of population, is to 405 km of Paris, 200 km of Nancy, 226 km of Strasbourg, 155 km of Basle, 177 km of Geneva, 195 km of Lyon and 91 km of Dijon. Its inhabitants is called the Bisontins and the Bisontines .
See also: History of the Franche-Comté
See also: List of the Count Palatines of Burgundy
With the wire of the centuries which preceded the birth by Christ, the Franche-Comté lives to develop an important civilization and commercial exchanges, in particular in the Jura; at that time the Séquanie, large Gallic province is set up, which called César to put an end to the ocupation of the Germain Arioviste, which began the Guerre from Gaules.
Le name of Franche-Comté appeared officially only in 1366; previously, one spoke about the Comté of Burgundy.
The county of Burgundy belonged to the Saint Germanic Roman Empire, but he enjoyed a great autonomy. With the extinction of the male branch of the counts de Bourgogne, the county will pass under various influences (France, duchy of Burgundy, Spain), but always while preserving its characteristics, its " libertés".
The Spanish period corresponds to a kind of golden age of the Franche-Comté. But this phase of prosperity is stopped by Ten Years the war known as (1634 - 1644), episode comtois of the Guerre Thirty Year old. The county of Burgundy remains Spanish, but, a few years later, Louis XIV asserts it. It occupies it in 1668 but must return it pursuant to the treated of Aachen.
The Franche-Comté becomes definitively French in 1678 by the Traité of Nimègue, except the county of Montbeliard which did not become - voluntarily - French only on October 18th, 1793.
With the Revolution, the province of Franche-Comté is divided in three departments: the the Jura, the Doubs and the Haute-Saône. Belfort forms then part of the Haut-Rhin. At the time of the War of 1870, the city defended by the colonel Denfert-Rochereau resists the German seat. The city opens its doors only on February 16th, 1871 on the order of the French government. That is to say a few weeks after the official signature of the armistice, on January 28th, 1871. This resistance makes it possible the town of remain French after the annexation of the Alsace the Moselle. It is starting from this date that the fortification of the area will become its extensive for the defense of the Belfort Gap, of the town of Besancon and the passages towards the countries voisins.
In 1922, Belfort and its surroundings are set up in department under the name of Territoire of Belfort, becoming thus the fourth inhabitant of Franche-Comté department.
During the Second world war, the Franche-Comté is characterized by the presence from many maquis. In June 1940, the German army enters to Franche-Comté. The line of demarcation which is partly copied on the Loue, divides the area into two. 99 resistant is shot to the Citadelle of Besancon. September 1944, the area is released except the north of the department of Doubs which will be to it 2 months later.
See also: District council of Franche-Comté
See also: Political of the Franche-Comté
The area of Franche-Comté is divided into 4 departments: the Doubs, the the Jura, the Haute-Saône and the Territory of Belfort.
The Area is youngest of the communities. Born in 1982, it is made up of two assemblies: the District council , elected by the vote for all, which makes the decisions and the Economic and Social Council , which is a Consultative Assembly made up representatives of the social and cultural economic life, which delivers opinions.
The District council of Franche-Comté acts primarily on four fields:
See also: Geography of the Franche-Comté
The Franche-Comté is divided into 4 departments: the Doubs (25), the the Jura (39), the Haute-Saône (70) and the Territory of Belfort (90). Of share its strategic position in the center of the Europe, the Franche-Comté is a required passage of at the same time human and economic movements. Indeed, the area is very close to 3 large European countries: the Swiss , the Germany, and of the Italy.
The Franche-Comté is a relatively mountainous area which one can regard as encircled by solid masses. One finds there in particular the assembly line of the Jura, bordering Switzerland, which culminates with 1720m. In the north of the area are the the Vosges and finally more in the south, the the Alps. The two principal tops are the Crêt Pela with 1495m in the Jura and the Mont of Gold culminating to 1463 m in the department of Doubs. The area has 5.350 km of river including 4.549 km where fishing is possible and 320 km of inland waterways. One does not count there less than 80 lakes and 1000 ponds. The principal rivers of the area are
Two great types of ecosystems characterize this area; foresters and of the lakes/ponds/peaty which offer a refuge to a high Biodiversité, of which many birds, stags, Sanglier S, squirrel S, Wildcat. The capercaillie, the lynx and finally the return of the Chamois are emblematic protection and restoration of the natural habitats in the area. The area is also known for its pullulations of Campagnols of the fields, which are the wild reserve of a parasitic disease , the alveolar echinococcosis, which can be transmitted to the man by the Chat S, Chien S and Renard S.
See also: Demography of the Franche-Comté
The Doubs is the first department of the area with 512.900 inhabitants. It only gathers with him about half of the inhabitant of Franche-Compt3e population. It is followed the Jura with 255.200 inhabitants, then the Haute-Saône with 234.100 inhabitants and finally the Territoire of Belfort and its 139.600 inhabitants - who is however until almost 10 times smaller than his neighbors in term of surface.
The 5 countries of origins the most represented are the Morocco (15.7%), the Algérie (14.1%), the Portugal (13.9%), the Italy (12%) and the Turkey (10.6%). They represent alone close to the 2/3 of the inhabitant of Franche-Comté immigrants. One detects also an important proportion of immigrants originating in the ex- Yugoslavia: 4,8% whereas they are only 1,7% at the national level.
The first waves of immigration, beginning of the 20th century, are European origins: the Italians would be the first to arrive in the area as of the years 1920 then arrive the Poles. Portuguese arrived more tardily, as of end of the year 50 only but their number increases clearly until the Seventies. The Maghrebians arrived fine of the Second world war, composed almost that Algerians; The Morrocans only arrive of small number, that until 1969 when one records this year more Moroccan arrivals than Algerian. Maghrebian immigration did not then cease decreasing. The Turks maintained their arrived supported as of the Seventies until beginning of the year 80.
Between 1975 and 1999, the immigrant population fell by 14% whereas the inhabitant of Franche-Compt3e population increased by 5,7% Ainsi, the number of immigrants is of 5.9% whereas it was of 7,3% front.
See also: Economy of the Franche-Comté
The Franche-Comté is the first industrial area of France, 6 employment out of 10 is in the tertiary sector and unemployment rate amounted to 8.5%. GDP per capita in 2002 was there of 21.897 €. It is also exporting of France (INSEE: To know the Franche-Comté edition 2005). In 2003, the GDP Inhabitant of Franche-Comté rose to 25.6 billion d'€ is 1,6% of the French GDP. The GDP of the area grows at average intervals of 2% per annum what classifies the Franche-Comté among the most dynamic areas of France. This dynamism is in particular had with a consequent industrial field.
* in million d'€
The urban pole Montbeliard - Belfort is the economic center of the area, primarily dedicated to the car and TGV. The industrial site Peugeot - Citroen Sochaux is the first (all confused industries) of France with 13.841 paid in September 2006. It currently produces the Peugeot 607 and the Peugeot 307. He is also the first employer of the area. The car is seen being the floret of industry, Peugeot and its other subsidiary companies represent there up to 10% of the production of France.
With Belfort is located the factories Gec-Alsthom specialized in the railway production in particular for TGV.
The town of Besancon is a true center for the sectors of the méchanique one. It is a historical pole of excellence of microtechnic, time frequency and biomedical genius, as well as the first European center of the cutting of utmost precision. In June 2005, the city was seen decreeing a label of national pole of competitiveness in the field of the microtechniques ones. The area has also a potential in the research sector. One finds with Besancon the ENSMM or the 3Ecole Nationale Sup3erieure of mechanics and microtechnic the, the National school of engineers with Belfort or the Polytechnique institute of Sévenans.
In spite of a strong industry, inhabitant of Franche-Compt3e agriculture is not remains about it and the forestry development, the production of meat, milk and cheeses are well developed. Tourism tends to becoming an increasingly important industry in the area, of share its geography which allows many activity like the VTT, the climbing, fishing, ski etc…
Colleges
The academy of Besancon is characterized by a balance between the number of colleges and vocational schools.
Higher and professional
the Chapelle of Ronchamp was built on the hill of Bourlémont with Ronchamp in Haute-Saône by the architect free-Switzerland Le Corbusier. Started in 1950 it was finished in 1955. The vault is devoted on June 25th, 1955 by the Archbishop of Besancon.
the Citadelle of Besancon is one of the most beautiful strengthened citadels of Vauban of France. It is in a perfect state of conservation, arranged in tourist multicultural place and gives to the town of Besancon much of its character. It remains also a high tourist resort Franc Comtois with 300.000 visitors per annum.
the Royal saltworks of Arc-and-Senans located on the commune of Arc-and-Senans (Doubs) is a work of Claude Nicolas Ledoux, celebrates architect visionary. The purpose of it was the production of salt, and was to replace the growing old saltworks of Saline-the-Baths and Lons-the-Salt maker. Ledoux conceived the architectural whole in the form of half-circle (370 m diameter), including/understanding the technical installations and the residences of the workmen.
the Lion of Belfort is a sculpture of Frederic Bartholdi, located at Belfort. Long and high, it 22 11 m m consists of blocks of pink sandstone of Perugia, individually carved, then moved under the castle of Belfort to be assembled there. Work symbolizes the heroic resistance of Belfort carried out by the colonel Denfert-Rochereau during the seat of the city by the Prussian army, which lasted 103 days (of December 1870 in February 1871).
the Château of Joux is located in Doubs, it overhangs the Cluse of Pontarlier. Mentioned in XIe century (1034), it is rebuilt out of stone in XIIe century by the family of the lords de Joux. In 1690, Vauban increases it and improves defenses of them. It was used during the Old Mode and the Revolution of prison as State. It is famous to have received in its walls Mirabeau, All Saints' day Louverture, Heinrich von Kleist…
the Lac of Vouglans is located in the Jura. It is the second French artificial reserve with 605 million m ³ after Greenhouse-Ponçon. A stopping (arched with S curve) was installed by EDF between 1964 and 1969.
the Hérisson is a small river of the solid mass of the Jura which joined then the lower valley while jumping nearly 300 meters of uneven in 3 km by constituting the Cascades of the Hedgehog which are among most remarkable of Jura', particularly impressive at the time of the snow melt or when they are cold at the time them great colds which the area can know.
One also counts, in a less measurement, other sites the such Château of Montbeliard, the very picturesque village of Lods in Doubs, the largest arranged pit of France: that of Poudrey or the Moved back of Balsam-the-Sirs. In spite of that, the area accommodates only surroundings 1,7% of the stays passed to France, far behind the Provence-Alp-Coast of Azure and the Île-de-France, strong respectively of a Mediterranean climate with the proximity of the sea and a very great number of monuments, in particular of the capital .
See also: FOR THE THIRD TIME Franche-Comté
The highway network of the area is similar, in its density, compared to the other close areas, however the rail networks and river are much less present. The main axe the Saone-Doubs is the backbone of the territory and crosses the area of is in west is most powerful of the area, it is in particular represented by a highway infrastructure of quality, a railway line and the channel the Rhine-Rhone. The second axis, which is directed to him North-South, is on the other hand less easily identifiable; The line Besancon - Lyon contributes however to this axis. Nevertheless the North-South relation of the area remain less powerful.
Infrastructures inhabitants of Franche-Compt3e : Some key points.
Franche-Comté: First exporting area of France!
Leave its excentré localization, the average distance from flows of goods transport between the Franche-Comté and the other areas is much higher than national average (124 km against 98 km). On a total of 54,1 million tons exchanged in 2002 (except railway exchanges (2 million) that it is impossible to affect between the departments), the Doubs adds up 47% of the traffics, lavishing to him a role of head in the economic one of Franche-Comté.
* Of which auto industry 43%
** Of which auto industry 8%
See also: Inhabitant of Franche-Comté
The inhabitant of Franche-Comté is a Romance language belonging to the family of the language of oil which speaks itself in particular in Franche-Comté. One indicates it by “ inhabitant of Franche-Comté ”, “ language comtoise ”, “ to speak comtois about oil ” and often by the term about patois. One can also indicate it by the Jurassic term or franc-comtois-Jurassic bus it is also spoken in the Canton about the Jura in Suisse. TheJurassic one belongs to a linguistic group which includes/understands the Picard, the Wallon as well as the Lorrain. These languages indeed have a certain number of joint characteristics, in particular a Germanic influence.
The language is found on the departments of the Haute-Saône, of the Territoire of Belfort, the Doubs, in the northern part of the the Jura, like in the canton of the Jura (Swiss) as well as a small portion of the Département of Alsatian Haut-Rhin. Its field is limited to the south by the zones of the speeches francoprovençaux, to the west by the Burgundian speeches and Champagne and to north by the Lorraine one.
In Inhabitant of Franche-Comté, Franche-Comté says Fraintche-Count .
the Francoprovençal
See also: Francoprovençal
The southern part of the Franche-Comté (southern of the department of the Jura and Doubs) belonged to the linguistic unit “ francoprovençal ” (also called arpitan).
The francoprovençal constitutes one of the three great Romance languages with the Occitan (language of oc) and groups it languages of oil. This language has many local variations and is declined in many dialects. Halfway between the group of the languages of oil and the language of oc, it sets up a distinct Romance linguistic group. There exists a dialectal alternative spoken in the south about the Franche-Comté: the Jurassic .
In Francoprovençal, Franche-Comté says Frank-Comtât .
the Farms with tuyé are typical dwellings with the area. Relatively wide, it was to be able to protect the breeding from the long winters. One called tuyé the immense pyramidal chimney out of wooden on the roof but also the part which was used formerly as smoking-room.
Strong and fortifications is legions in Franche-Comté. Of share its animated history, the Franche-Comté has many castles which testifies some. Work, that of Vauban, more époustouflante remains the Citadelle of Besancon but it is not without mentioning the Fort Griffon or the fortifications of Belfort .
the Wormwood, or green fairy is an alcoholic drink.
the free Republic of Saugeais : The Saugeais or Sauget is a geographical entity made up of eleven communes of the Haut-Doubs in France joined together in a baptized folk republic “ free République of Saugeais ”. Montbenoît is the political capital, and Gilley the economic capital. The republic of Saugeais makes 125km ² on the whole.
The summer, the Franche-Comté offers to the amateurs excursions and of VTT of many activities. One also practices fishing at the edge of the rivers of the area. The hotel trade of outdoor concentrates nearly 40% of its nights in the country of the Lakes with the presence of camp-sites of important relatively important size. All confused lodgings, close to the 2/3 of tourist consumption is made from April at September.
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the Cross of saint Andre (also known as of Burgundy ) who belongs to the Burgundian heritage bequeathed to the Franche-Comté after the fall of the duke-counts of Burgundy. This emblem anti-French is frequently raised by the patriots comtois.
the Armorial bearings of Franche-Comté: Of azure sown of gold billets to the lion of same, armed and lampassé of mouths, stitching on the whole as well as its flag.
the Flag of Franche-Comté, was chosen by Othon IV in 1279 to approach the France, there will lose this direction with time to become and remain the emblem comtois par excellence. One finds it on the seal of the Parliament of Dole as on the armorial bearings of a great number of towns of Franche-Comté such Dole, Vesoul, Luxeuil, Ornans… the color azure expresses fidelity, gold the intelligence and prestige, and the red ( mouths in heraldic language) the desire to serve its fatherland. The gold billets are there to point out the omnipresence of the forests in country comtois. To be authentic, the lion must have a sex, the claws and the language reds and a crown, underlining the sovereignty of the County.
the Germanic Eagle of mouths, with the éployée money eagle at summer taken again by the first counts de Bourgogne who were vassal Germanic Empire on their ecu. It was replaced later by the Lion of Othon present on the inhabitant of Franche-Comté flag. One finds also the eagle on the current armorial bearings of Besancon. Depending directly on the Holy Empire during centuries although the remainder of the County remained autonomous, the city preserved the black eagle on its weapons.
the Foliages of Stag of Wurtemberg are the heritage of a history marked by the Maison of Wurtemberg, the Three half foliages of sand stag appear on the blazons of several cities of the Pays of Montbeliard, pointing out the original past of this Protestant ground.
the Currency of the Franche-Comté: Comtois, go! - Nenni, my faith . It symbolizes the obstinacy and the determination of Comtois.
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