Saulieu

The 13th-century church of Saint-Saturnin.

Saulieu
Saint-Andoche basilica
Coat of arms
Saulieu
Location within Burgundy region Saulieu
Coordinates:
Country	France
Region	Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Department	Côte-d'Or
Arrondissement	Montbard
Canton	Saulieu
Government
• Mayor (2008–2014)	Anne-Catherine Loisier
Area1	32.03 km2 (12.37 sq mi)
Population (2008)2	2,588
• Density	81/km2 (210/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code	21584 / 21210
Elevation	394–596 m (1,293–1,955 ft) (avg. 545 m or 1,788 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.

Saulieu is a commune in the Côte-d'Or department in the Burgundy region in eastern France.

Capital of the Morvan, situated within the Morvan Regional Park, Saulieu lies to the southeast of Paris on the RN6 road.

History

This walled town has existed since Roman times when it was known as Sidolocus (or Sedelocus), as seen on the tombs and engravings that can be found in the hills overlooking the modern town. Every Saturday morning a unique market is held in the square selling goods of many kinds.

Churches

The Basilica of Saint Andoche, famous for its carved capitals depicting biblic stories and religious teachings, was founded as an abbey church in the 6th century. Rebuilt as a collegiate church in the 12th century, it became a Minor Basilica in 1919.

There are over 60 carved capitals in the basilica, several of which have narrative figures. Some of the capitals are the Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15), Balaam (Numbers 23-24), The Risen Christ (John 20:11-18; Matthew 28:1-10), Temptation of Christ (Mt 4:1-11; Mk 1:12-13; Lk 4:1-13) and the capital of the "Cock Fight - south arcade, fourth pier (facing the aisle)".

Population

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1844	3,023	—
1962	3,269	+8.1%
1968	3,303	+1.0%
1975	2,946	−10.8%
1982	3,084	+4.7%
1990	2,917	−5.4%
1999	2,837	−2.7%
2008	2,588	−8.8%

Sights

• Saint Andoche Basilica, a Romanesque church built around 1130-1140.
• Tomb of Saint Andoche, reputed to be writer of the evangelistary of Charlemagne.
• Cemetery of the church of Saint Saturnin with Gallo-Roman graves.
• François Pompon regional museum.

International relations

• Caprino Veronese, Italy
• Gau-Algesheim, Germany,since 1964.

Personalities

• Bernard Loiseau, chef
• François Pompon, sculptor
• Claude Sallier, philologist and churchman

See also

• Communes of the Côte-d'Or department
• Parc naturel régional du Morvan

References

• INSEE

External links

• Saulieu (French)
• Adrian Fletcher’s Paradoxplace – Basilica of St-Andoche, Saulieu - Photos
• Saulieu on the site Bourgogne Romane
• Sacred Destinations an educational and travel resource – Basilica of St. Andoche in Saulieu, Burgundy - Photos
• L'abbatiale Saint-Andoche Saulieu – Basilica of St. Andoche in Saulieu, Burgundy[2]