Pamiers

Pamiers (occitan: Pàmias ) is a common French, the most populated department of the Ariège, in the area the Midday-Pyrenees (approximately 14.000 inhabitants). The city is on the other hand only one of both Sous-préfecture S of the department (with Saint-Bosoms), the prefecture being Foix).

Its inhabitants is Appaméens.

Geography

Pamiers is located in the Plaine of Low-Ariège, with approximately 52 kilometers in the south of Toulouse, 17 kilometers in the north of Foix, 61 kilometers in the West of Carcassonne and 72 kilometers in the East of Saint-Gaudens. Served by the network the SNCF (line Toulouse/Latour-with-Carol), by the highway A66 (Villefranche-with-Lauragais/ Pamiers ) and the Trunk road RN20 (Paris/Spain), the city is an important crossroads of communications between the low Toulouse country and the valley of High Ariège.

The city skirts the course of the Rivière Ariège, from which the channels derive which enclose the old center (registered voters since July 1999 with the list of the historic buildings).

Heraldic

History

Foundation of the city

The Roman presence is attested in particular by the discovery of currencies (on the place of Mercadal where the cathedral is located) and of a statuette in Bronze of Mercure remarkably preserved on the site of the Midsummer's Day cemetery. Thus one can, of sure source, to make go up the Roman presence with the IIIe century before Jesus-Christ. May 2nd 1963 one discovers, on the hillock of the martyrdom, a funerary puit gone back to -50 to -30 years before J.C.

Some think of a foundation much older. The geographical location, ideal for the monitoring, the communications and the agrarian culture, seems to consolidate these assertions.

With the Ve century, the king Visigoth of Toulouse Théodoric Ier leaves in Frederic, one his wire, the territory corresponding to the city, which will name then Frédélas (i.e. “the field of Frederic”).

The history of the city merges with that of Saint Antonin

Holy Antonin, wire of Frederic, who évangélise the area. There are martyrized in 506 by the Visigoths remained ariens.

A sanctuary is high to shelter the Relique S of the saint. This place is former to 961, date of the first written document of which we have on the history the city. It is replaced little by little by an abbey built on the other bank and which took the term of Saint-Antonin after the translation of the relics in 987.

In XIIe and XIIIe centuries, a city in full rise thanks to the religion

In XIIe century, the city strongly develops, in spite of the crisis of the Catharisme. Pamiers is then a stronghold of the Orthodoxie. In 1207, with the castle of Pamiers (today shaven), is held the Colloque of Pamiers, last meets between the cathares and the Catholic church before the Albigensian Crusade.

The Pope Boniface VIII reward the fidelity of the city by setting up Pamiers in évêché in 1295. It names bishop the abbot Bernard Saisset, and this one becomes its principal intermediary near Philippe IV Beautiful the at the time of the conflict of 1296.

Consequently, the city grows rich and radiates thanks to the religion. Many orders are established in Pamiers. These religious orders, in addition to their evangelic mission, develops also teaching, in particular the Dominicains, but also the Franciscains and the Carmelite nuns.

By the number of its convents, Pamiers was with the same row as Toulouse, Bordeaux, or even Paris… Here is the list:

  • Dominican the

First mention of the Dominican , or Preaching friars dated December 16th 1269. Their convent was located on the site of the current house of works of the diocese, street of the Jacobins, in the past called “will square dels predicadores” (street of the preachers), sign of their presence.

  • Franciscains

The Franciscains, (also called minor Brothers or Cordeliers), settled in 1269 with the district of Lestang. The Tower of Cordeliers attests some.

  • the Carmelite friars

The Carmes were established in 1311 on the edges of the channel, street of Escoussières. One will be able to note that the order of the Carmelite nuns is still present in the city. For how long, one is unaware of it…

  • Augustins

One finds the Augustins in 1315 with the district of Loumet. It remains of their building the tower of Augustins, very ruined, trace undoubtedly of the enclosing wall of the convent.

  • Clarisses

The Clarisses (Minorettes), placed under the obedience of Francois, Saint lived as of 1328 street Major (currently street Gabriel Péri), beside the street Holy-Claire.

  • the other religious orders

One raises in Pamiers the presence of other religious orders like the Fancies (1358) and the Béguines (1327), the Hospitaliers, the Jésuites, etc…

Wars of religion

The wars of religion were devastators, and the city suffered much from it. Different churches are shaven (except the bell-towers which is used as turn of guet), the abbey will not be concerned any. In 1629, the prince de Condé takes and devastates the city, following the catch of weapons of the Protestants. The inhabitants of the city are sent to the galère S.

Under the direction of the large bishops who are François de Caulet with the XVIIe century or Jean-Baptiste de Verthamon with the XVIIIe, of important building sites are open (churches, episcopal palate (current Mairie), présidial (current law courts), Séminaire S (current Lycée S of Castela and the Jacobins).

The Revolution

At the time of the Revolution, Pamiers is a place of extreme tensions. Indeed, the revolutionary heat of Appaméens does not go from full agreement with the episcopal see of the city. It will lose this seat, just like its Présidial. Remainder, this présidial, the current law courts, will see the flowers of lilies) of sound pediment unobtrusive.

A new means of economic advancement: metallurgy

To the XIXe century, the effort of religion is deferred on the emergent industry. One creates in 1817 the Iron-foundry of Pamiers, which becomes the engine of the city then. Still today, the company makes live number of Appaméens and Ariégeois.

The city, " main door of Ariège" , is today in full expansion. This " renaissance" must in particular by the opening in 2002 of the A66, the economic growth (industrial and commercial parks in construction), the relative proximity of Toulouse and the framework of life: countryside and close mountain, but proximity of the services also.

Demography

Agglomeration:
  • Suburbs: 15.700 inhabitants (Pamiers, Saint-Jean-of-Falga the)
  • Average crown: 19.700 inhabitants (Pamiers, St-Jean-of-Falga, It Turn-of-Crieu the, Verniolle)

Administration

Town hall

See also: List of the mayors of Pamiers

Teaching

  • Public education of the 1st degree: Nursery school of Condamines, Elementary school Cazalé, Nursery school and elementary of the Carmelite friars and the New Bridge, Nursery school and elementary of Lestang, Nursery school Gabriel Fauré, Elementary school of Canonges.

  • Private education of the 1st degree: Elementary school and nursery school Jeanne d' Arc, Nursery school and elementary Jean XXIII, Institution Notre-Dame maternal and primary, Nursery school and elementary Calandreta LED Feed of Pamias.

  • secondary Public education: College Pierre Bayle, College Joseph-Paul Rambaud, general-purpose College of Castela, Agricultural college (LEGTA), College of adapted teaching (EREA), Vocational school Irenee Cross-country race.

  • secondary Private education: College Jean XXIII, Institution Notre-Dame (college and college), Vocational school of the Jacobins

  • Formations Post-vat: BTS sales force and commercial action (College of Castela), Training institute in care male nurses

Twinnings

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Economy

Transport

Shopping malls, commercial life

  • developed Shopping mall, with village Car (gathering a good number of dealers).
  • commercial City by its history, the center of Pamiers remains still dynamic, in spite of the competition of the close shopping mall

Large companies present on the commune

  • Iron-foundry : Larger private employer of the department, it belongs to the company Aubert and Duval

See also: Iron-foundry of Pamiers

  • Masterliness Paintings : gather several companies in the field of paintings (of painting for the buildings until specific paintings for the aerospace one).

Culture and inheritance

Architectural heritage

Architecture, of Toulouse style, makes the good share with the red brick, by sometimes including the moraine, material carted by Ariège. The majority of the historical buildings date from XVIIe and XVIIIe century.

  • Cathedral Saint-Antonin
It was rebuilt at the XVIIe century. Gate and sculptures of XIIe century. The organ case dates from XVIIIe.

See also: Saint-Antonin Cathedral of Pamiers

  • Notre-Dame Church of the Camp
The church Our-Lady-of-Camp holds its name (“Notre Dame of the Fields”) of its geographical location, out the walls of the city. If the construction of the church dates from the XIIe century, an important enlarging including the construction of the powerful frontage in brick, was carried out with the XIVe century. This frontage is the only part which will remain after the destruction of the church by Huguenots in 1577. The church which we know today date thus XVIIe century.

The gate, classified, was rebuilt with identical in 1870. Several fabrics, of XVIIe and XVIIIe centuries, are classified.

The Church shelters a Orgue built in 1860 per Emile Poirier and Nicolas Lieberknecht, classified historic building for its instrumental part. It was restored in 2004.

A chime of 21 bells is also found there.

  • Carmel

Carmel was founded in 1648, and the claustral buildings date from the end of this century. There the convent being still occupied, it is rare to be able to admire the splendid frames and the beautiful woodworks dating from the XVIIIe century.

The vault, built at the XVIIIe century, is admirably well maintained by the sisters Carmelite nuns. Installation is original there, taking up the idea of a mystical rise, entry towards the furnace bridge, located in top of a marble staircase, with height of the cells.

It will be noted that the buildings of Carmel were used as prison under the Enquiry as during the Revolution.

  • Turn of Cordeliers.
Its erection goes back to 1512. It reproduces with identical that of Cordeliers of Toulouse. There existed well a church before XIVe century, but it was destroyed by Réformés in spring 1562. It was rebuilt at the XVIIIe century.
  • Abbey of Cailloup
The Abbey of Cailloup (known as also “Farmhouse-Old man”) is a Romance Chapelle built in first half of XIIe century. Now restored, the building was classified historic building in 1992.
  • Law courts
Started in 1665, the County court quickly became exiguous. It then was rebuilt, and it was finished in 1777.
  • Lycée of Castela
It is about an old seminar dating from the XVIIIe century.
  • the current town hall
Dating from the XVIIe century, and then seat of évêché, the building became town hall with the Revolution, found its destination first in 1823, and was sold in 1920 in Banque de France. It is become again town hall in 1980.
  • the Tower of the Currency
It is about the tower of guard of a monetary workshop created in 1419 by Jean Ier. This workshop ceased its activity in 1422, in accordance with the decision of Charles VII. It took it again at the next century, thanks to the translation of the monetary workshop of Toulouse towards Pamiers. But in 1596, the Mint of Toulouse reopens.
  • Door of Nerviau
It is about the only testimony of the strengthened enclosure which separated the districts from Couserans and Mercadal. The last rehandling of this building dates from XVe century.
  • the channels
The channels girdling the old city are registered with the Additional Inventory of the Historic buildings in 1999. As of XIe century, they made turn the many mills.

Environmental inheritance

The city, irrigated by channels, shelters a relatively important duck population. Pamiers also has a park extremely well maintained, with trees centenaries.

Gastronomy

In the valley of Ariège, a particular bean, named is produced “coconut of Pamiers”. It is about a small round bean which, although present since good a long time, had been supplanted by the ingot. Given to the last style by some impassioned (which created a brotherhood thereafter), one can again appreciate his delicate savor in the mounjetado, the local cassoulet.

Currency

One can note two currencies: one in Latin, the other in language of oc. One does not know the origin of it.
  • Incolumen sic fata reserving (the destinies keep me thus healthy and saves)
  • to me That my feyt me gardo (Which made me keeps me)

Personalities related to the commune

To live in Pamiers

markets

Market Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday morning. Flea market Sunday morning.

The sport

  • Many sports associations
  • Various gymnasia
  • 3 stages (the Chestnut grove, Magnagounet, Balussou)
  • Center of swimming (external swimming pools and covered swimming pools)
  • Tennis courts
  • Bowling pitch

Cultural life

Culture sections

  • Council school of Music
  • Media library
  • MJC
  • Cinema (two rooms: one of 170 places in steps, screen of 9 meters basic and the other of 116 places, screen of 7,50 meters basic)

Animations

  • Musics with the country of Gabriel Fauré (classical music): May-June, September-October
  • Festival Pro-Musica (classical music): August and programming all the Theatrical year
  • of Fall: October-November
  • Appaméennes of the Book: May

Infrastrucure

  • Versatile room of the Play of the Email: for theater, concerts, spectacles…
  • Room Aglaë Moyne: old vault transformed into room of 150 places, ideal for concerts of chamber music, but also for conferences.
  • Espalioux Room: for conferences
  • Room of Capelles

Festivities

  • annual Festival: last Weekend of August
  • Fiesta Latino: July
  • Festival of the music: June 21st

Public services on the spot

Places of worship

  • Catholic religion: Cathedral Saint-Antonin, Church Our-Lady-of-Camp, Vault of Carmel
  • Protestant Religion: Reformed church (temple street of the rampart of the touronc)

To deepen

Internal bonds

External bonds

  • site of the town of Pamiers
  • tourist bureau of Pamiers and Low Ariège
  • Pamiers on the site of the National Geographical Institute
  • Pamiers on the site of INSEE
  • Pamiers on the site of Quid
  • Localization of Pamiers on a chart of France and communes bordering
  • Plane on Pamiers on Mapquest
  • the town of Pamiers on AriegeNews

Sources

  • Various authors, History of Pamiers , tourist office of Pamiers - Low-Ariège, 1981,631 p.
  • MOULIS, Adelin, Old Sanctuaries Ariégeois , ED. Lacour/Rediviva, 1972-1995,150p.

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