Saint-Maixent-l'École

French commune
nomcommune=Saint-Maixent-l'École
région=Poitou-Charentes
département=Deux-Sèvres
arrondissement=Niort
canton=Chief town of 2 cantons:
Saint-Maixent-l'École-1
Saint-Maixent-l'École-2
insee=79270
cp=79400
maire=Léopold Moreau
mandat=2001-2008
intercomm=
longitude=-0.20694
latitude=46.41361
alt moy=74 m
alt mini=52 m
alt maxi=115 m
hectares=522
km²=5.22
sans=6,602
date-sans=1999
dens=1,264
date-dens=1999

Saint-Maixent-l'École is a commune of the Deux-Sèvres "département", in the Poitou-Charentes region of France. Locals are known as "Saint-Maixentais".

Geography

Saint-Maixent-l'École is located in the Haut Val de Sèvre area of western France, about 15 miles from Niort and 40 miles from La Rochelle.

History

The town was founded in 459 by the Oratorian monk Agapit, who was joined in 480 by Adjutor who took the name Maixent. Initially, the city was known as Saint-Saturnin. During the 6th and 7th centuries the city prospered.

ights

Much of the town's buildings date from 15th century through to the early 19th century. The town is home to a fine abbey which dominates the skyline.

Economy

The main agricultural produce of the region around the town includes wine. The town lies halfway between the Loire Valley and Bordeaux, and is in close proximity to the Cognac region. There is also a speciallity goats cheese produced in the area.

Miscellaneous

The town is twinned with Horsham in the United Kingdom.