Souvigny facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Souvigny
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A panoramic view of Souvigny with the priori
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 Souvigny
Location in France
Souvigny
Location in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
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| Country | France | |
| Region | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | |
| Department | Allier | |
| Arrondissement | Moulins | |
| Canton | Souvigny | |
| Intercommunality | Moulins | |
| Area
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44.35 km2 (17.12 sq mi) | |
| Population
(Jan. 2021)
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| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) | |
| INSEE/Postal code |
03275 /03210
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| Elevation | 224–357 m (735–1,171 ft) (avg. 242 m or 794 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. | ||
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Souvigny is a small town, also called a commune, located in central France. It's part of the Allier area, which is like a county, within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
For a long time, Souvigny was a very important town in the Bourbonnais region. It was even the capital of this area once! The famous royal House of Bourbon family, who ruled France for many years, had their home base here. Souvigny also has a special connection to Cluny Abbey, a very old and important monastery, which adds to its rich past.
Contents
Discover Souvigny: A Historic French Town
Souvigny is a special place known for its beautiful buildings. In 1993, it was named a "great regional site of Auvergne." Later, in 2003, it became known as a "great Romanesque sanctuary of Auvergne." This means it has amazing old churches and buildings from the Romanesque period.
What to See and Do in Souvigny
Many visitors come to Souvigny each year. They enjoy its museums, pretty gardens, and special events. The old priory, which is a type of monastery, is a big draw. The town also has lovely wooded areas that tourists like to explore.
Souvigny Priory: A Place of History
The Souvigny Priory is a very important building. It holds the remains of two famous leaders from Cluny Abbey. These were Mayeul, who was the fourth abbot (a leader of a monastery), and his successor, Odilon. Mayeul passed away in 994, and Odilon in 1049.
Their burial places were lost for a long time after the French Revolution. But in 2001 and 2002, archaeologists found them again!
Fun Events in Souvigny
Souvigny is a lively town with many public events throughout the year. These events are great for both locals and visitors:
- A botanical fair, where you can see many different plants, happens in April.
- An antiques fair, where old treasures are sold, takes place in May.
- A medieval fair, which celebrates the Middle Ages, starts on the last Saturday of July.
- Autumn music days, filled with concerts, are held on the last weekend of September.
- A regional sale of old and rare books happens in November.
Amazing Architecture in Souvigny
The Benedictine Priory and its church, St Peter and St Paul, are truly special in the Bourbonnais region. Not only were some abbots buried here, but also the Dukes of Bourbon. In 2010, the burial chapel was fixed up. This was to celebrate 600 years since Duke Louis II of Bourbon passed away and was buried there.
The buildings in Souvigny show a mix of different styles. While you won't find many true Romanesque buildings, you can see influences from nearby areas like Auvergne, Berry, and Burgundy. Later, around 1435, the buildings were restored in a more clear Gothic style.
See also
In Spanish: Souvigny para niños
