Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives
| Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives | ||
|---|---|---|
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Benedictine abbey | ||
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  Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives | ||
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Location within Normandy region  Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives | ||
| Coordinates: 49°01′N 0°02′W / 49.02°N 0.03°WCoordinates: 49°01′N 0°02′W / 49.02°N 0.03°W | ||
| Country | France | |
| Region | Normandy | |
| Department | Calvados | |
| Arrondissement | Lisieux | |
| Canton | Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives | |
| Intercommunality | Trois Rivières | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor (2008–2014) | Jack Thézard | |
| Area1 | 9.68 km2 (3.74 sq mi) | |
| Population (2008)2 | 3,623 | |
| • Density | 370/km2 (970/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 14654 / 14170 | |
| Elevation |
23–74 m (75–243 ft) (avg. 32 m or 105 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. | ||
Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives is a commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region in northwestern France.
The abbey church was rebuilt in the 12th century and 13th centuries and restored and modified in the 16th and 17th centuries, replacing the former abbey church built in 1011 by William the Conqueror's aunt, Countess Lesceline. The church was entirely restored in the 16th century. By that time it got its general current appearance: a long main nave with two aisles and five radiating chapels, in the Gothic style.
11th-century market hall
The market hall (Halles de Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives in French) is an example of Norman medieval architecture and dates from the 11th century. It was originally used by the Benedictine monks of the abbey to sell their goods to the locals. The structure was listed as a historical monument the 6 March 1889. The hall was completely destroyed by fire during the German withdrawal from the area in the summer of 1944. The halls were rebuilt using chestnut wood (same as the original).
Events
Weekly open-air market every Monday morning in the square which surrounds the 11th-century market hall. Cattle market every Monday in the market square. About a hundred calves are sold to the breeders every week as well as sheep, pigs and some goats. There is also an antiques market the first Sunday of each month at the Halles.
Sights
The Protective Botanical Garden collects old varieties of flowers and vegetables.
International relations
The commune is twinned with the following towns.
| Flag | Country | Town | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
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Belgium | Jodoigne | Walloon Brabant |
 |
United Kingdom | Ivybridge | Devon |
 |
Germany | Kleinwallstadt | Lower Franconia |
Population
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1962 | 3,356 | — |
| 1968 | 3,765 | +12.2% |
| 1975 | 4,274 | +13.5% |
| 1982 | 4,506 | +5.4% |
| 1990 | 3,993 | −11.4% |
| 1999 | 3,977 | −0.4% |
| 2008 | 3,623 | −8.9% |
See also
References
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives. |
