Vimoutiers
| Vimoutiers | |
|---|---|
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  Vimoutiers | |
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Location within Normandy region  Vimoutiers | |
| Coordinates: 48°56′N 0°12′E / 48.93°N 0.20°ECoordinates: 48°56′N 0°12′E / 48.93°N 0.20°E | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Normandy |
| Department | Orne |
| Arrondissement | Argentan |
| Canton | Vimoutiers |
| Area1 | 16.15 km2 (6.24 sq mi) |
| Population (2012)2 | 3,675 |
| • Density | 230/km2 (590/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 61508 / 61120 |
| Elevation |
92–236 m (302–774 ft) (avg. 134 m or 440 ft) |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. | |
Vimoutiers is a commune in the Orne department in north-western France.
The finish line of the Paris–Camembert bicycle race is Vimoutiers.
History
In 1040 while besieging a nearby Norman castle, Alan III, Duke of Brittany died suddenly in Vimoutiers, then a possession of the Duchy of Normandy. His death was thought to be caused by poisoning.
On 14 June 1944, during the Battle of Normandy, Vimoutiers was bombarded by Allied forces. The village was destroyed and 220 people died.
A Second World War German Tiger tank is exposed on the outskirts of the city. It is one of six remaining in the world.
The beautiful and strategic location of Vimoutiers attracts numerous tourists for sporting events, recreation and overnight rest. Modern hotels and small restaurants cater to visitors.
Heraldry
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The arms of Vimoutiers are blazoned : Azure, a cross Or, between 4 keys addorsed argent. |
Name
The name 'Vimoutiers' is a contraction of 'Vie', the name of the small river which runs through the town ('vie' means 'life'), and 'Moutiers', a French word which means 'Monastery'. This name is derived from the fact that there was once a monastery present on the site, near the banks of the river 'Vie.
Notable people
Vimoutiers was the birthplace of Joseph Laniel (1889–1975), politician of the Fourth Republic.
Twin towns
Vimoutiers is twinned with:
- Fordingbridge in England (since 1982)
- Sontra in Germany (since 1971)
See also
References
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vimoutiers. |
- Pictures of Vimoutiers before June 1944 (with a link to Charlotte Corday).
- Hôtel le Soleil d'Or
- Routard.com - Vimoutiers
- Vimoutiers Official Homepage (in English)
