Geography
Beaucaire is located on the RiverTerrain
The entire town is located in the Rhône Valley and has fairly flat terrain mainly formed by the plain of the Rhône. The north of the commune has hills, especially north of the town centre where the castle is located (80 metres high) as well as Saint-Roman (130 metres).nName
Called ''Ugernum'' by the Romans, Beaucaire derived its modern name from the medieval ''Belli Quadrum'', which described the pine-clad rock rising abruptly from the river. Alternatively, 'Beaucaire' may be the French version of theHistory
Ancient time
Founded in the 7th century BC, Beaucaire was known as a city on the famous Via Domitia, the firstMiddle Ages
TheModern era
French Revolution and Empire
Beaucaire was capital of the district from 1790 to 1795. During the French Revolution the commune was temporarily called ''Pont-National''.Contemporary period
Heraldry
Town planning
Beaucaire is one of 79 member communes of the Territorial Coherence Scheme (SCOT) of South Gard and is also one of the 41 communes of ''Pays Garrigues Costières''.Housing
The town of Beaucaire had 7,769 housing units in 2017, 86% of which were primary residences. There are more single-family houses (55%) than apartments (44%) with the majority of homes having 3 or 4 rooms. 51% of residents own their own housing. Of the rental housing (3,148 units in 2017) 31% are HLM.Dossier complet: Commune de Beaucaire (30032)Administration
List of Successive Mayors The Municipal Council is composed of 23 members including the Mayor and 9 deputies.Twinning
Beaucaire has twinning associations with: * Farciennes (Belgium) since 1969. * Montelupo Fiorentino (Italy).Demography
Its inhabitants are known as ''Beaucairois'' or ''Beaucairoises'' in French.Education
The commune has: *4 kindergartens *5 Elementary schools *2 primary schools *3 colleges *2 professional schoolsHealth
Since 30 January 2014 Beaucaire has a multi-activity healthcare division with multi care professionals, a dental centre, opticians, and a hearing specialist.Cultural events and festivities
*The Salon des Métiers d'Art is held every year in October. Many craftsmen are selected and come to exhibit their original works. Since 2015, this event has taken place in the conservation area of ??Beaucaire on the Place Georges Clemenceau and also in the inner courtyard of the Town Hall and its Conservatory. *The Mediterranean Equestrian Meeting is held every year on the first weekend in July. Hundreds of horses from all over Europe meet in Beaucaire. This event diversified in 2015 with a children's area to introduce children and attract families. This huge demonstration, whose total cost is around 100,000 euros, has not been subsidized by the regional council since 2015. Despite the decline in endowment, the commune still maintains it and gives it more scope. *The City of books since 2007. It hosts publishers, booksellers and organizes a festival of storytelling. *The Summer Festivals have events such as bullfighting and cultural shows. The city is a member of the ''Union of French bullfighting cities''. *Le Drac from 20 to 22 June each year. A celebration of theWorship
The Catholic parish of Beaucaire is part of on the diocese of Nîmes,Economy
Population and income tax
In 2017 the workforce was 6,726 people, including 1,601 unemployed (23.8%). These people are mostly employees (85.1%) and most work outside the commune (57%). At the end of 2015 there were a total of 1,544 business enterprises in the commune: 152 in agriculture, 128 in industry, 226 in construction, 851 in Trade, transport, and services (of which 303 in automobile trade and repair), and 170 in administration, education, health, or social services.Notable businesses in the commune
Among local businesses, the ''Craft Brewery of Beaucaire'' produces and markets several varieties of beer regionally with some Camargue rice. There are also: a Ciments français cement plant (subsidiary of the Italcementi group), and a Casanis plant from the Bacardi group which markets Get 27. The headquarters of the multinational group Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits (formerly Belvédère) has been located in Beaucaire since 2011.Culture and heritage
A large number of buildings and sites in Beaucaire are registered as historical monuments, including: * Chateau de Beaucaire and its triangularReligious heritage
*The Troglodytic Abbey of Saint-Roman: atop a limestone outcrop overlooking the Rhone valley at the confluence of the Gardon. This cave monastery, which depended on Psalmody Abbey was abandoned in the 16th century. A fortress was later built partly with stones from the abbey. It was dismantled in 1850 and only a few vestiges of the fortifications are still visible. *The Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame-des-Pommiers dating from the 18th century, the largest church in the city, baroque. *The Church of Saint Paul, built in the Provençal Gothic style. *An Oratory in memory of Saint Bonaventure and the Virgin; Second Empire period; near Place Jean-Jaurès and the road to Nîmes.Croix Couverte de Beaucaire
*Museums
*The Auguste-Jacquet Museum: a museum of history, archeology and traditions of Beaucaire. Located in the former convent of the Augustinian sisters at the foot of the medieval castle. *The Horse and Equestrian Art Museum, Hall of the Four Kings, Rue du 4 September.Literature
Poets, living in or passing through Beaucaire, remembered it through their lyrical writing: Joseph D'Arbaud, Marie-Antoinette Rivière (Antoinette of Beaucaire), Juliette Borely, Artalette of Beaucaire.Legend
Beaucaire has a legend of the formidable '' drac'', a monster that rises from the depths of the sea to seize and devour its prey. One day the monster grabbed a young laundress and brought her to his cave. The story says the woman expected the worst, but the ''drac'' explained that what he wanted was a nanny for his son, the ''draconnet''. Thus the washerwoman fed the little monster for seven years before she was set free. But one day at the fair the ''drac'' came to the market, having taken on a human appearance. The washerwoman recognized her former captor and incited the crowd to riot. Furious at being unmasked, the ''drac'' blinded the washerwoman. According to Gervase of Tilbury who wrote this tale in 1214, she remained blinded until the end of her days.Notable people linked to the commune
* Raymond VII, Count of Toulouse (1197-1249) returned Beaucaire, his birthplace, to the lords of Nord in 1216; * Jacques Cœur (around 1395/1400-1456), took refuge in 1455; * François de Rovérié de Cabrières (1830-1921), Bishop of Montpellier thenSee also
* Canal du Rhône à Sète *References
External links