Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire () is a commune in the

Charente Charente (; Saintongese: ''Chérente''; ) is a department in the administrative region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, southwestern France. It is named after the river Charente, the most important and longest river in the department, and also the r ...

department, Southwestern France. The commune was formed in 1973 by the merger of the former communes Barbezieux and Saint-Hilaire.Modifications aux circonscriptions administratives territoriales (fusion de communes)
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Journal officiel de la République française The ''Official Journal of the French Republic'' (), also known as the ''JORF'' or ''JO'', is the government gazette of the French Republic. It publishes the major legal official information from the national Government of France, the French Pa ...

'' n° 0296, 20 December 1972, pp. 13168-13169. With 4,714 inhabitants (2019), it forms the most important town in Southern Charente. Barbezieux is a fortified hill town on the historic route south west from Paris – Poitiers to Bordeaux – Spain, now served by the N 10, which bypasses Barbezieux. The town rises from narrow streets of unspoilt, typically Charentais buildings to the medieval chateau, which dominates the western approach.

Population

Wine

Barbezieux also forms part of the Petite Champagne area of

cognac Cognac ( , also , ) is a variety of brandy named after the Communes of France, commune of Cognac, France. It is produced in the surrounding wine-growing region in the Departments of France, departments of Charente and Charente-Maritime. Cogn ...

wine growing, second only to the finest Grande Champagne and is in the heart of the vineyards producing cognac and the local drink Pineau de Charente.

Services

The access to the N10 means that Barbezieux has developed as a modern lively town of over 5000 inhabitants, whilst retaining all the character of the old town, with interesting shops; twice weekly markets; foires and other public entertainments; lido; cinema; sporting and equestrian facilities, also a high school, a hospital, and other important services for the whole area.

Tourism

Barbezieux is a centre for touring the South Charente and also a short drive from the coast. For tourists and cyclists following the Chemin de St Jacques to Compostella, the Voie Verte, or Green Way, is the former railway line, running approx 40 km. south from Barbezieux towards

Bordeaux Bordeaux ( ; ; Gascon language, Gascon ; ) is a city on the river Garonne in the Gironde Departments of France, department, southwestern France. A port city, it is the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, as well as the Prefectures in F ...

. There is accommodation for those wishing to visit the town including a Chambres D'Hôtes in the restored 18th century Maison de Maitre, hosting a fine collection of Modern Art, to be found in Rue de L'Alma in the heart of the old town.

St Mathias Church

The main church of Barbezieux, St Mathias, was built in the twelfth century and is one of the largest in the Diocese of

Angoulême Angoulême (; Poitevin-Saintongeais: ''Engoulaeme''; ) is a small city in the southwestern French Departments of France, department of Charente, of which it is the Prefectures of France, prefecture. Located on a plateau overlooking a meander of ...

. Entering the church, there is the statue of St Mathias. At one time, the Apostle's head is said to have been kept in the church. The church has been altered over the centuries and had major restoration in the 1970s. It is a fine example of a Romanesque church, well used by the community.

Notable people

Philippe Besson Philippe Besson (born 29 January 1967) is a French writer, playwright and screenwriter. Besson was born in Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire, Charente, and has written a total of 23 novels, several of which have been adapted for cinema or theater. Life B ...

(born 1967), writer *

Corine Pelluchon Corine Pelluchon (born 2 November 1967, Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire) is a French philosopher and professor of philosophy at the University of Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée (UPEM) which is now Gustave Eiffel University. Education Corine Pelluchon receiv ...

(born 1967), philosopher and professor *

Renaud Lavillenie Renaud Lavillenie ( or ; born 18 September 1986) is a French pole vaulter. Lavillenie won the gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, 2012 Olympics in London and the silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, 2016 Olympics in Rio. In addition to ...

(born 1986), pole vaulter *

Valentin Lavillenie Valentin Lavillenie ( or ; born 16 July 1991) is a French athlete specialising in the pole vault. He won the gold medal at the 2013 Jeux de la Francophonie. Lavillenie is the younger brother of another pole vaulter, a former world record holder, R ...