Allons, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
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Allons is a
commune A commune is an alternative term for an intentional community. Commune or comună or comune or other derivations may also refer to: Administrative-territorial entities * Commune (administrative division), a municipality or township ** Communes of ...
in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in the
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (; or , ; commonly shortened to PACA; en, Provence-Alps-French Riviera, italic=yes; also branded as Région Sud) is one of the eighteen administrative regions of France, the far southeastern on the mainland. Its pref ...
region of southeastern
France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
. The inhabitants of the commune are known as ''Allonsais'' or ''Allonsaises''


Geography

Allons occupies an area mainly located in the small valley of the Ivoire, a tributary of the
Verdon Verdon may refer to: People * Verdon (surname) Places France * Verdon, Dordogne, in the Dordogne ''département'' * Verdon, Marne, in the Marne ''département'' * Vinon-sur-Verdon, an old French town in the département of Var, Provence-Alpes- ...
, away from the main road of the valley of the Verdon some 60 km north-west of
Nice Nice ( , ; Niçard dialect, Niçard: , classical norm, or , nonstandard, ; it, Nizza ; lij, Nissa; grc, Νίκαια; la, Nicaea) is the prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes departments of France, department in France. The Nice urban unit, agg ...
and 40 km south-east of
Digne Digne-les-Bains (; Occitan: ''Dinha dei Banhs''), or simply and historically Digne (''Dinha'' in the classical norm or ''Digno'' in the Mistralian norm), is the prefecture of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in the Provence-Alpes-Cô ...
. There are two natural closures of the site, one at Vauclause which corresponds to the edge of the commune at the valley of the Verdon, the other immediately at the exit of the village where the remains of a fortification can be seen. The village is situated at 1073 m altitude. The only access to the commune is via road D52 which runs south-east to the village from Road D955 some 6 km north-east of Saint-Andre-les-Alpes.Google Maps
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Relief

The commune is mountainous with high points including: *''Puy de Rent'' (1996 m) *''Le Puy'' (1820 m) *''Basse d'Allons'' (1493 m) *''Le Roncheret'' (1617 m) *''Le Puel'' (1532 m) *''Col de l'Iscle'' (1394 m) *''Montagnone'' (1775 m) *''Chamatte'' *''Basse d'Angles'' *''Serres'' (1778 m at ''Serre Gros'')


Hydrography

The commune is traversed by the Ivoire stream into which many streams flow from the mountains. The Ivoire flows into the
Verdon Verdon may refer to: People * Verdon (surname) Places France * Verdon, Dordogne, in the Dordogne ''département'' * Verdon, Marne, in the Marne ''département'' * Vinon-sur-Verdon, an old French town in the département of Var, Provence-Alpes- ...
(a tributary of the Durance), which forms the north-western border of the commune.


Flora

The commune is a
Drainage basin A drainage basin is an area of land where all flowing surface water converges to a single point, such as a river mouth, or flows into another body of water, such as a lake or ocean. A basin is separated from adjacent basins by a perimeter, ...
oriented east-west resulting in a large shady side and a large south-facing slope. On the shady side, there are
Pine A pine is any conifer tree or shrub in the genus ''Pinus'' () of the family Pinaceae. ''Pinus'' is the sole genus in the subfamily Pinoideae. The World Flora Online created by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Missouri Botanical Garden accepts ...
forests. There is a forest of beech trees growing near the village. A
Riparian forest A riparian forest or riparian woodland is a forested or wooded area of land adjacent to a body of water such as a river, stream, pond, lake, marshland, estuary, canal Canals or artificial waterways are waterways or engineered chann ...
with abundant
willow Willows, also called sallows and osiers, from the genus ''Salix'', comprise around 400 speciesMabberley, D.J. 1997. The Plant Book, Cambridge University Press #2: Cambridge. of typically deciduous trees and shrubs, found primarily on moist so ...
trees grows along the Ivoire stream.


Transport

There is a railway station at the intersection of the roads called Allons-Argens Halt which is an optional stop on the metre-gauge Nice to Digne line of the Chemins de Fer de Provence.


Hamlets

*La Moutiere *La Forêt


Neighbouring communes and towns


Natural and technological hazards

The area to which Allons belongs is in zone 1b (low risk) according to the deterministic classification of 1991, based on historical earthquakes (medium risk), and in zone 4 according to the classification probability EC8 of 2011. The common Will also faces three other natural hazards: *forest fire, *flood, marginally in the valley of the
Verdon Verdon may refer to: People * Verdon (surname) Places France * Verdon, Dordogne, in the Dordogne ''département'' * Verdon, Marne, in the Marne ''département'' * Vinon-sur-Verdon, an old French town in the département of Var, Provence-Alpes- ...
) *landslide: the community is affected by a medium hazard high on the slope located above Vauclause in the valley of the Verdon *avalanche The commune is not exposed to any risk of technological origin identified by the prefecture and no ''prevention plan for foreseeable natural risks'' (PPR) exists for the commune, the DICRIM has existed since 2011. The commune was the subject of one natural disaster in 1994 for flooding and mudslides.


Toponymy

The village is mentioned for the first time in the charters of 1113 (in the form ''Alonz''). This place name is formed from the Germanic proper name ''Alonius'' according to Ernest Nègre. Charles Rostaing and Fénié argue that the name was formed from the orographic root (in relation to the mountains) ''Al-'' (as in the word ''alpe''). This root is probably older than the Gallic.


History

An
oppidum An ''oppidum'' (plural ''oppida'') is a large fortified Iron Age settlement or town. ''Oppida'' are primarily associated with the Celtic late La Tène culture, emerging during the 2nd and 1st centuries BC, spread across Europe, stretchi ...
occupied the site of Castellas in the
Iron Age The Iron Age is the final epoch of the three-age division of the prehistory and protohistory of humanity. It was preceded by the Stone Age ( Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic) and the Bronze Age ( Chalcolithic). The concept has been mostl ...
.
Augustus Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), also known as Octavian, was the first Roman emperor; he reigned from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. He is known for being the founder of the Roman Pr ...
conquered the valley of the Verdon at the same time as the Alps, which he completed in 14 BC. It is difficult to know the name of the
Gallic tribe The Gauls ( la, Galli; grc, Γαλάται, ''Galátai'') were a group of Celtic peoples of mainland Europe in the Iron Age and the Roman period (roughly 5th century BC to 5th century AD). Their homeland was known as Gaul (''Gallia''). They spo ...
that inhabited the valley nor the name of the civitas on which Allons depended in the High Empire: ''Eturamina'' ( Thorame), ''Civitas Saliniensum'' (
Castellane Castellane (; Provençal: ''Castelana'') is a commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France. With about 1,600 inhabitants, Castellane has the distinction of being the least-populated sub-prefecture of France. Its in ...
), or ''Sanitensium'' (
Senez Senez is a commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France. Ecclesiastical history Marcellus I, the first known bishop of Senez, attended the Council of Agde in 506 CE; nevertheless, Senez must have been an episcopal ...
). At the end of the Roman Empire, the connection to ''Sanitensium'' and its diocese seem to be proven. A bronze statue from Antiquity was once found in the commune (now lost).


Middle Ages

It is possible that the Chapel Saint-Domnin at ''La Moutiere'' was built on the site occupied by the Allons community in the High
Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire ...
in connection with a first monastery. On the opposite side of the valley there are several names of Villas that reinforce this hypothesis. The site of the upper Town, in the valley is possibly contemporary. In 1072, Pons Sylvain (Pontius Silvanus) owned an important part of the area, if not the entire valley. He donated land to the abbey of Saint-Victor de Marseille which established the
priory A priory is a monastery of men or women under religious vows that is headed by a prior or prioress. Priories may be houses of mendicant friars or nuns (such as the Dominicans, Augustinians, Franciscans, and Carmelites), or monasteries of ...
of Saint Martin there at the end of the 11th to the beginning of the 12th centuries. The village of Allons was created shortly after around a new church which was also called Saint Martin and the priory was abandoned in the 13th century. The fief belonged to the
bishops of Senez A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of Episcopal polity, authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or offic ...
and then to the Abbey of St. Victor, Marseille. The Allons community was under the viguerie of
Castellane Castellane (; Provençal: ''Castelana'') is a commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France. With about 1,600 inhabitants, Castellane has the distinction of being the least-populated sub-prefecture of France. Its in ...
. Three recognisable structures were found in the village that housed various noble families, among which were that of Requiston and Richery (joint lords), Villeneuve, and Autane - the last two being lords of the fief from 1757 to the
French Revolution The French Revolution ( ) was a period of radical political and societal change in France that began with the Estates General of 1789 and ended with the formation of the French Consulate in coup of 18 Brumaire, November 1799. Many of its ...
. These buildings are similar to castles, the largest of them is that of ''Autane'' located on the square of the same name, it surprises by its large size and the 17th century style unusual in the region. Since the Revolution the castle has been divided between several owners, and several changes have been made - especially on the roof. The most important lords were the Requiston family. In 1390, Raymond de Turenne laid siege to the Vauclause castle. The story of Allons is also linked to that of Vauclause - a rocky outcrop overlooking the entrance to the valley of the Ivoire. In the
Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire ...
a community was located there near a castle of which only a few walls remain. This community had twelve
fires Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material (the fuel) in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. At a certain point in the combustion reaction, called the ignition point, flames are pr ...
in 1315 and had no church. It was drastically depopulated by the crises of the 14th century (the Black Death and the Hundred Years War) and was annexed by Allons. The fief of Vauclause was distinct from that of Allons, and remained until the Revolution. Today there is a large farm that is the subject of restoration.


From the late Middle Ages to the French Revolution

In 1745 the people rebelled against a demand by the
Bishop of Senez The former French Catholic diocese of Senez existed from around the fifth or sixth century, until the French Revolution. Its see was at Senez, in southern France, in the modern department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. After the Concordat of 1801 th ...
who removed the bust of Saint Domnin, patron of the parish church but the worship of whom was considered outdated or too close to pagan rituals. The resistance of the villagers caused a transfer of the bishop, Monseigneur Vocance, who was jostled and his clothes torn. Faced with the threat of military intervention the people were minded to concede but in fact hid the bust and continued their devotions.


Since the French Revolution

There used to be two mills in the commune, on the Verdon and on the Ivoire outside the village. The tunnel under the pass was completed in 1903, and the entire railway line between Saint Andrew and Nice was inaugurated from 5 to 7 August 1911 in the presence of
Victor Augagneur Victor Augagneur (16 May 1855 – 23 April 1931) was a French politician. Augagneur was born in Lyon. He was the mayor of Lyon from 1900 to 1905, and represented the Independent Socialists in the Chamber of Deputies from 1904 to 1905. He was Go ...
, Minister of Public Works. In the 20th century the mixed agricultural economy moved towards specialization in
lavender ''Lavandula'' (common name lavender) is a genus of 47 known species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is native to the Old World and is found in Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, and from Europe across to northern and easte ...
, which was processed locally in three distilleries. The mill of Verdon was converted into a
Sawmill A sawmill (saw mill, saw-mill) or lumber mill is a facility where logs are cut into lumber. Modern sawmills use a motorized saw to cut logs lengthwise to make long pieces, and crosswise to length depending on standard or custom sizes (dimensi ...
. These activities have now been abandoned.


Heraldry


Administration

List of Successive Mayors of Allons


Intercommunality

''Allons'' is a member of the Community of Alpes Provence Verdon - Sources de Lumière.


Budget and Taxation

The regional share of the property tax is not applicable. The business tax was replaced in 2010 by the ''enterprise land premium'' (CFE) on the rental value of properties and the ''contribution of the added value of enterprises'' (CAVE) (both forming the ''territorial economic contribution'').


Population

Prior to 1793 the following censuses had been taken: *1315: 89
fires Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material (the fuel) in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. At a certain point in the combustion reaction, called the ignition point, flames are pr ...
*1471: 19 fires *1765: 359 people Source: Édouard Baratier,
Georges Duby Georges Duby (7 October 1919 – 3 December 1996) was a French historian who specialised in the social and economic history of the Middle Ages. He ranks among the most influential medieval historians of the twentieth century and was one of Franc ...
, and Ernest Hildesheimer for the
Ancien Régime ''Ancien'' may refer to * the French word for "ancient, old" ** Société des anciens textes français * the French for "former, senior" ** Virelai ancien ** Ancien Régime ** Ancien Régime in France ''Ancien'' may refer to * the French word for ...


Economy

The only jobs in the commune are at three farms and two masonry companies plus a campsite near the Verdon and a bar open during the summer. Much of the population works in
Saint-André-les-Alpes Saint-André-les-Alpes (; oc, Sant Andrieu) is a commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France. Population See also *Communes of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department The following is a list of the 198 Communes ...
. The Mérimée database says that in 2006 there was only one farm: a sheep farm with a golf course, hay meadows, and cereal crops. Lavender is grown on some plots.


Culture and heritage


Civil heritage

The commune has a very large number of buildings and structures that are registered as historical monuments. At Vauclause, the remains of the castle are called the ''
Saracen upright 1.5, Late 15th-century German woodcut depicting Saracens Saracen ( ) was a term used in the early centuries, both in Greek and Latin writings, to refer to the people who lived in and near what was designated by the Romans as Arabia Pe ...
Tower''. There are several lordly manor houses, sometimes called castles: *three in the village *one at Vauclause in ruins *one at La Moutière. The old communal Oven was inaugurated in 2009 after having restoration done inside


Religious heritage

The commune has many religious buildings and structures that are registered as historical monuments: *The Chapel of Saint Martin (in ruins) (20th century). *The Chapel of Saint Domnin. The Chapel contains several items that are registered as historical objects: **A Statuette of the Child Jesus (19th century) **The Furniture in the Chapel of Saint Domnin (18th century) *The Parish Church of Saint Martin (1862) The church contains a very large number of items that are registered as historical objects. Some of the more interesting items are: **a bust- reliquary of Saint Domnin, the first
Bishop of Digne The Diocese of Digne (Latin: ''Dioecesis Diniensis''; French: ''Diocèse de Digne'') is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in France. Erected in the 4th century as the Diocese of Digne, the diocese has bee ...
, carved and gilded, placed on procession stretchers and saved from destruction in 1745 **a Monstrance in the shape of the sun (19th century), embossed and carved in silver **a golden chalice (19th century) **an ornate silver chalice signed ''Dejean'' (19th century) **several paintings by Fidèle Patritti: ***''The Resurrection'' (1851) ***''The Annunciation'', (before 1858) ***''The donation of the Rosary'' (1851) **A scene of Saints Domnin and Martin admiring the Sacred Heart, created before 1858 **a small statue of St. Joseph (1856) **a small statue of the Virgin and Child (1881) *Oratories and Wayside Crosses (19th century) *The Church of Saint-Clair de Gouts (13th century)


Notable People linked to the commune

*Jean-Jacques Béraud, born in Allons in 1753 and died in Cartagena in 1794, a priest and hydraulic engineer *
Joseph de Richery Rear-Admiral Joseph de Richery (13 September 1757 in Allons, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence – 1798 in Allons) was a French naval officer. Career He distinguished himself in the French Navy in the American Revolutionary War. From 1781 until 1785 he ...
(1757-1798), Rear-Admiral, born and died in Allons. *Charles Alexander Richery born in Allons,''Almanac of the clergy of France for 1828'', Guyot et Scribe éditeurs, Paris, 1828, p. 222
Bishop of Fréjus A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is ca ...
(1823-1829), and Archbishop of Aix-en-Provence


See also

*
Communes of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department The following is a list of the 198 Communes of France, communes of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence Departments of France, department of France. The communes cooperate in the following Communes of France#Intercommunality, intercommunalities (as of 2020 ...


Bibliography

*Raymond Collier, ''Haute-Provence monumental and artistic'', Digne, Jean Louis Printing, 1986, 559 p. *Under direction of Édouard Baratier,
Georges Duby Georges Duby (7 October 1919 – 3 December 1996) was a French historian who specialised in the social and economic history of the Middle Ages. He ranks among the most influential medieval historians of the twentieth century and was one of Franc ...
, and Ernest Hildesheimer, ''Historical Atlas. Provence, Comtat Venaissin, principality of Orange, County of Nice, Principality of Monaco'', Librairie Armand Colin, Paris, 1969


References


External links


Allons and Argens Station
on the Chemins de fer de Provence website
On the History of Allons
a site gathering numerous historical documents and information]
Allons on Géoportail
Institut géographique national, National Geographic Institute (IGN) website
''Allons'' on the 1750 Cassini Map
{{authority control Communes of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence