Neuville-de-Poitou

Neuville-de-Poitou
The church and the water tower
Coat of arms
Neuville-de-Poitou
Location within Poitou-Charentes region Neuville-de-Poitou
Coordinates:
Country	France
Region	Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes
Department	Vienne
Arrondissement	Poitiers
Canton	Neuville-de-Poitou
Intercommunality	Neuvillois
Government
• Mayor (2008–2014)	Jean Petit
Area1	17.06 km2 (6.59 sq mi)
Population (2007)2	4,799
• Density	280/km2 (730/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code	86177 / 86170
Elevation	91–140 m (299–459 ft) (avg. 128 m or 420 ft)
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.

Neuville-de-Poitou is a commune in the Vienne department in the Poitou-Charentes region in western France.

History

Neuville was first named Nova Villa in 876, through a donation by a Frank by the name of Aldurus, at abbaye Saint-Hilaire de Poitiers. During the hundred years war, Neuville suffered because of its precarious position between the two kingdoms. Like most of Poitou, it became subject to English control in 1360. In 1410 the parish reorganized itself and took the name of Notre-Dame de Neuville. Commerce and crafts developed, and soon the population was doing well. (wine, wheat, wool, cattle and mules)

The war of religion divided the country. Plague hit the region between 1628 and 1632. In 1750, Neuville only had 403 people, whereas her rival, Vendeuvre had 613.

During the French Revolution, conscription provoked many incidents, and the castle of the area, le château de Bellefois was destroyed. In 1790, Neuville became the primary town of the township.

The beginning of the 19th century ruined many home owners. The land then went back to the former farmers. Many immigrate to find work. It is during this period that Neuville is named in Québec.

In 1958, the commune of Neuville takes the official name of Neuville-de-Poitou

Neuville is nearly entirely populated by French people.

Twin towns

• Neuville, Quebec, Canada
• Desborough in Northamptonshire, England
• Saratov in Volga, Russia
• Soure in Coimbra, Portugal

Points of interest

• Arboretum de Neuville-de-Poitou

See also

• Communes of the Vienne department

Huilerie Jacques Batard, Vegetable and Nut Oil makers, Founded in 1850 is the last Oil Mill remaining in the area. Stone mill

References

• INSEE