Even though Mende remains a relatively sparsely populated city (approximately 12,000 inhabitants), it remains the most important of the Lozère Department. In addition, it is the city-centre of the unique urban area of this department.
Mende is situated in the high valley of theLot, in a mountainous area, in thePays duGévaudan, the Rieucros stream joins to it on its right bank. The city is overlooked (on the left bank of the Lot) byMont Mimat [fr] and itsblack pine forest [fr]. Access is by theCôte de la Croix Neuve [fr]. On the right bank, residential areas extend over differentcausses, including theCausse d'Auge. Located on the axis ofLyon-Toulouse, the city has long been a commercial crossroads between theAuvergne,Rhone and theLanguedoc.
Mende is one of the "gateway cities" (along withMillau,Lodève,Alès andGanges) for the site of theCausses and Cévennes, of world heritage byUNESCO under the inscription "Les Causses and Cevennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral cultural landscape".[4]
According to theINSEE, Mende is anurban commune without suburbs (ville isolée [isolated town]).[5] It lies at the centre of afunctional urban area composed of 31 communes, the only one in the department of Lozère.[6]
The town of Mende is built in the Lot Valley, within the area of theGrands Causses [fr]. The region of the Causses in Lozère is one of the fournatural regions [fr] ofLozère, with theMargeride, theAubrac and theCévennes. The city is nestled in the middle of different Causses which form as natural barriers. However, over the 20th century, urbanisation began to extend beyond these limits.
Of the Causses,Mont Mimat [fr] is the most significant. The causse is overhung by the Cross ofSaint Privat [fr]. A first wooden cross was planted in 1900[9] or 1907.[10] It was replaced a few years later, on 8 July 1933, aJubilee year, by a 12.5 metres (41 ft)-high iron cross. Until 1945, this cross was the place of large gatherings in honour of Mendois soldiers. This cross has been illuminated since the summer of 1965.[10] The mount also houses the chapel where Privat, the martyr of theGévaudan, withdrew to. At its foot lies the area of Vabre where can be found the first remains of houses in the city. Opposite this is the Causse d'Auge (northeast) and the Causse du Crouzet (northwest), and theMargeride mountains beyond. To the west is Causse de Changefège, located between Mende andBarjac, which complements the borders of the city.
Mende at the foot of Mont Mimat, view of the Causse d'Auge
The geology of the city of Mende is very dependent on the surrounding causses and streams that pass through them.[11] The Mont Mimat and the Causse de Changefège are composed oflimestone of the "Grands Causses", thus presenting abrupt edges. The other causses (as well as the butte de Fontanille) are composed of limestone of the "Petits Causses" (without these edges). TheLot Valley is composed ofmarl. TheValdonnez [fr] Valley, in the south of Mende, is full of blue marl, leaving one to presuppose that the marl of the town of Mende would be, in part, of the same origin. Finally, the variousstreams (the Rieucros) of the causses of the north of the city are lined bymica-schist.
The city of Mende was built on the banks of theLot. But the Lot is not the only presence of water in the city: Indeed, it has several sources (springs), including those ofMont Mimat [fr]. The most significant of them is located in the Vabre district, close to the first houses. These sources have also often been channeled and feed the underground water system of the city, visible on the surface through numerous fountains and the old wash house. The streets, such as theRue du Torrent, attest to the passage of water from Mont Mimat.
To the north, on the other side of the Lot, the sources are much more distant, but water is present in thestream known as Rieucros.
Mende in December 2008A view the Causse d'Auge in December 2008
Mende is subject to an oceanic stream that comes from theAubrac and Mediterranean and flows from theCévennes. The department of Lozère, Mende in particular, benefit frominsolation (or sunlight) similar to that ofToulouse[12] with approximately 2,069 hours of sunshine per year. The city, away from the mountains that surround it, has a more protected climate than the highlands of Gévaudan: So, average temperatures oscillate between 13 °C (55 °F) and 18 °C (64 °F). With respect to annual precipitation, data for the Lozère is between 600–1,800 millimetres (24–71 in), depending on the exposure of the regions, with up to 50 days of snow per year.
Climate data for Mende, elevation 710 m (2,330 ft), (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1984–present)
Mende is located in the centre of theLozère department and therefore centralises the roads. The city has rail and air access, but theLot is not navigable (too shallow) as with all the rivers of the department (except for recreational canoeing, or in rare exceptions for the transport of people such as the crossing of theTarn towardsLa Malène).
Mende is located on theRoute Nationale 88 [fr], linkingLyon andToulouse. The road comes fromBalsièges to the west andBadaroux to the east. This axis can be reached easily.Haute-Loire andArdèche are to the east, viaLangogne andAveyron is to the west viaLa Canourgue-Banassac, as well as theA75 autoroute. A road doubling project is underway in the department,[15] bypassing Mende from the north. This doubling is however a long project (1993),[16] having had several outlines and some opposition.[17] The project was finally abandoned in October 2012[18] makingLozère a department without draft dual carriageways on RN 88. Indeed, its neighboursAveyron andTarn continue their projects of dual carriageways betweenRodez and Toulouse with all expected to be commissioned in December 2015. The work of the Rodez -Séverac section should be completed by the end of 2019. The same will be the case for Haute-Loire, which continues its road access. However, the workarounds of Mende andLangogne are budgeted. These projects in adjacent departments will reach major cities nearby to Mende (Rodez,Albi, Toulouse,Le Puy and even Lyon). Finally, the economic impact or the absence of dual carriageways in Lozere must be assessed in the medium and long term.
Furthermore, a viaduct (the Rieucros Viaduct) commissioned in December 2009 will be used to ensure a first bypass of Mende. It connects the industrial area of the Causse d'Auge to the technological centre of Valcroze (and the RD 42) and also helps to relieve the traffic connecting the districts north and northwest of the city.[19]
The RN 88 deviation from Mende should be the first from Pelouse to reach up to the Causse d'Auge with an "expressway" configuration. Then it would continue on the D 806 (exRN 106 [fr] north) to the Rieucros Viaduct, and then a new section of the viaduct to the Mende exit in the hamlet of La Thébaïde (west bypass). These two sections will only be of two lanes. Subsequently, the expressway from the Causse d'Auge will be directly linked to the A 75.[19]
Another national road, the RN 106, formerly ran through the city. This name is no longer valid for the section coming from theGard and joining Mende viaFlorac (it is then of the RN 88 on the stretch between Balsièges and Mende). The northern part of the road was decommissioned in 2007 and now bears the name of D 806. This stretch goes from Mende toSaint-Chély-d'Apcher (and the A75 autoroute) viaChastel-Nouvel.
Secondary access is provided by the RD 42 from the northwest, which joins the RN 88 atBarjac, and by the RD 25 which, passing through theCôte de la Croix Neuve [fr], crossesMont Mimat [fr] before arriving at the Valdonnez.
Referred to as TUM (forTransports Urbains Mendois)[22] the urban transport network is exclusively equipped with buses, which run through the city and some nearby villages (Les Boulaines, Chabrits, Chabannes). Since its establishment in 2000, it has replaced the school bus service. The urban transport network is also responsible for the management of the pay car parks in the city. A part of the city centre is also exclusively pedestrian.
The prefecture of the Lozère department sharesits airfield [fr] with the neighbouring village ofBrenoux.[23] This airfield, located onMont Mimat [fr], is thus 200 kilometres (120 mi) fromClermont-Ferrand, 215 kilometres (134 mi) fromMontpellier and 250 kilometres (160 mi) away fromLyon andToulouse. Highlights include it being the site of the final scene of the filmLa Grande Vadrouille, and also of five stages of theTour de France (1995, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2018).
Furthermore, a Mende-Paris air link was implemented in October 2007. However, the flight was departing from the aerodrome of Le Puy-en-Velay, located 90 kilometres (56 mi) from Mende and reached by a shuttle. This connection was born of a desire to open up Mende to air travel, which is indeed late at this level for a prefecture, and has no direct flight to Paris unlike its neighbours Clermont-Ferrand,Rodez,Aurillac orLe Puy-en-Velay.
Since the beginning of 2008, a study has been conducted by the CCI of the Lozère department, in order to discuss the possibility of the establishment of a link between the Lozerian prefecture and the regional capital,Montpellier[24] but four years after the launch of this study, no concrete project to date has been presented.
In the 13th century, the city was concentrated in what is now the city centre, bounded by the boulevards, and formerly the ramparts. It was then split into five sections (or neighbourhoods) known aspans: Auriac, Aygues-Passe, Champnau, Chastel and Claustres.
When it was initially named as such, the Pan d'Auriac was mainly a place of settlement, before becoming thequartier des pénitents blancs [district of the white penitents] who settled there. The Pan d'Aygues-Passe (or Aigues-Passe), meaning "water that passes", owes its name to the inclination of its streets, where the water flowed during cleaning. The Pan de Champnau derives its name fromnew field, and includes what was a new residential area, at north of the city. The Pan de Chastel is the old commercial district of the city. It is located towards the Chastel Gate, which led then toChastel-Nouvel, where a castle stood which was property of the bishops. Finally the Pan des Claustres, whose name comes fromcloisters, was the largest of the city and is now between thePlace Urbain V [fr] andFoirail [fr], i.e. between the two tombs ofSaint Privat [fr] (the chapel Saint-Ilpide on the hill of the executioner, and the crypt of Sainte-Thècle under the cathedral square).
TheRue BasseThe Valcroze district and the village of ChabannesThe Fontanille district and the Notre Dame High SchoolThe Chaldecoste district from the Place de la République
The historic centre
The historic city centre is bordered by boulevards which took the place of the ancient walls. In addition to housing, the centre is mostly occupied by convenience stores and artisans. Beyond the boulevards, there are other houses as well as government buildings. The General Council and the prefecture indeed share the formerBishop's Palace [fr], but services are scattered throughout the city.Allée Piencourt connects downtown roads toBadaroux andChastel-Nouvel, near the ancient diocese (pré claux and pré vival) having been built.
Mende North (Chaldecoste), the Causse d'Auge
North of theAllée Piencourt, past the Berlière Bridge, dwellings are present at the foot of the Causse d'Auge. These were established in several instalments over the 19th and 20th centuries, the first of these being Chaldecoste. It is in this part of the city that the large and the small seminary as well as the Convent of Carmel are found. The city extends to the north in the direction of Alteyrac (commune of Chastel-Nouvel). Between these areas and Alteyrac is located the zone of economic activities (ZAE) of the Causse d'Auge. The northern districts often bear names of flowers, this part of the city that historically sheltered gardens and vineyards, along thedraille linking thePlateau du Palais du Roi [King's Palace Plateau].
The causse is bounded by two streams, the Rieucros in the east and theRieucros d'Abaïsse [fr] to the west.
Fontanilles
Above the Badaroux road, on a hill, lies the Fontanilles district. It was originally social housing.[26] At the foot of the hill is the Lycée Notre-Dame, while beyond the district of Saint-Laurent (where one finds traces of history with the presence of a chapel and a windmill) and, later, the Gardès ZAE. In this part, to the west of Gardès, is also the village of Sirvens where traces of a Gallo-Roman villa were discovered.
Mende South, Mont Mimat
Stuck between Fontanille, Mont Mimat and the city centre, are districts located roadside above pré claux. In this area are located the centre of firefighters, the Château of Bellesagne and the former gendarmerie. The market is also in this area, but more to the east than the precedents cited (beyond the boulevards, however). Above it lies the Vabre district and Hill of the Executioner where the first traces of dwellings of the city were found. Also nearby is the city's prison.
Le Chapitre and the road to Chabrits
In the westerly direction, found the District of Le Chapitre with the sports complex and the holiday village. This area is at the foot of a portion of the Causse de Changefège, where homes are installed along the Chabrits road (Avenue du 11-Novembre, north-west of the city). It is in this part of the city which the district of Valcroze is found (new in the 19th century), the Chabrits ZAE and technology park.
Balsièges road
The other side of the Lot, along theRoute nationale 88 (France) [fr], is found the avenue of theGorges du Tarn and the area of Ramille. It is in this part where retail establishments are found. The Ramille zone saw the introduction, despite some criticism about the instability of the ground, of the hypermarket of the department, as well as a commercial area.
On the map are the main roads of the city. To the west, the RN 88 is joined toBalsièges, passing through the Rocher de Moïse (classified site)[27] located at the left end. To the northwest, it is the hamlet of Chabannes, and further to Chabrits. To the south,Mont Mimat [fr] is found, where the new cross stands which symbolically marks the top of the hill (although it continues a little higher). This road leads to the Hermitage ofSaint Privat [fr], at the cross of the same name and the route of Valdonnez (Lanuéjols,Brenoux,Saint-Bauzile).
To the east, Fontanille district is on a hillock, circumvented by theLot. Behind lies the district of Saint-Laurent, then the ZAE de Gardès (and the village of the same name) and the village of Sirvens. Following the RN 88, one reachesBadaroux. Finally to the north, is the area of the Chaldecoste (broken down into several districts: Bergerie, Chanteperdrix, Vignette, etc.) where one can reach the ZAE du causse d'Auge. Further to the north, one findsChastel-Nouvel before returning to the ground ofRandon [fr] and thePlateau du Palais du Roi. The drinking water of the city of Mende comes from this direction, because of theLac de Charpal reservoir, which is the main source.
In 2017, Mende had 6,851 residences for an official population of 12,134 people.[28] 87% of them are primary residences and 6.1% of secondary residences,[28] which contrasts sharply with the figure of theLozère department amounting to a 32.3% share of secondary housing.[29]
The population has been growing for several years, and the city has acquired new quarters over the years: Chaldecoste and Chanteperdrix in the 1970s, La Bergerie in the 1990s, and Valcroze in the 2000s. The city has 17.9% ofHLM-type accommodations.[28]
59% of dwellings have four rooms or more and 19% have three rooms.[28] The city is composed of many individual homes, small and large dwellings remaining in the minority. However, one can see that between 1990 and 1999 there was an increase of 85.3% of dwellings of one or two rooms. This can partly be explained by the development of higher education, with the branch of theUniversity of Perpignan.
The region is an ancient site of settlement dating back to theBronze Age, although the capital of theGévaudan, the Gallic period then Gallo-Roman, wasAnderitum. Found in the ancient texts are the names ofMimate,Mimata[30] (mountain), which refer to this town at the foot ofMons Mimatensis (Mont Mimat [fr]). In the same spirit, another name circulating is that ofViculus Mimatensis[31] (orVicus Mimatensis).[32] It is the city which gave its name to Mont Mimat ("mount of the Mendois", literally) and not vice versa.
Traces of dwellings dating from 200 BC were found, ancient Romanvillae, as well as around the city. However, residents could have been be domiciled here well before. Indeed, on Mont Mimat to Chapieu, a dolmen was found around 1913[30] including atrepanned skull. The other surrounding plateaux also attest this presence with other dolmens (on the Causse de Changefege for example). These remains may date from theChalcolithic period.
The city, strictly speaking, dates from the Middle Ages, and it is not found cited at the end of the 6th century byGregory of Tours in hisHistoire des Francs.[33] This text speaks of themartyrdom ofSaint Privat [fr], the first bishop of theGabali, who was the origin of a pilgrimage to the hermitage and the caves where he had retired. Mende in the 3rd century was then only a village.[34] The history of Privat is thus situated around the 3rd century, while he was sent byAustromoine to evangelize theGévaudan. It was during this period that theAlemanni invaded the country, guided by their leader,Chrocus.
The Gabali took refuge in the fortress ofGrèzes where they were under siege for two years. Their bishop, Privat, was meanwhile in one of the caves of Mont Mimat which he had converted into a hermitage. When Chrocus learned that the bishop was not among his people, he went looking for him to use as a hostage in order to get the Gabali to leave Grèzes. Privat was martyred at his cave onMont Mimat [fr] near the village of Mimate. Presented to the Gabali, he refused to deliver his people despite all the barbaric tortures to which he was subjected (according to Gregory of Tours:"The good shepherd refused to deliver his sheep to wolves, and they tried to force his to sacrifice to demons").[35] Exhausted, the Alemanni would leave the Gabali free, by promising them peace.[36] Privat succumbed to his injuries in the following days. His act of resistance,[37] refusing to deliver his compatriots, thus earned him great popular fervour, and it was around his tomb and his hermitage that pilgrimage began, allowing the village to grow.
In the 12th centuryGévaudan was part of theCounty of Barcelona. In Mende, the counties have a castle, the castel frag. Three other lords had their castle around the Romanesque church: That of Canilhac (who owned the archtreasurer rights of the church), that of Cabrières (who was granted rights of archdeacon) and Dolan (who administered and ruled the episcopal home during the interregnum of bishops).[38] In 1161, Mende, who was under the suzerainty of theKing of France, saw his BishopAldebert III [fr] get the royal rights.[39] It was thegolden bull, an act signed by the king and marked with a royal seal in gold, which contained the terms of this agreement. It thus gave Aldebert and his successors, in perpetuity, the Royal power and the full powers of justice on the inhabitants of the bishopric. This fact is quite rare because only four golden bulls in six centuries were granted by the Kings of France.[40]
It was from this time that the city walls were built. Aldebert wished to protect the city and secure channels that lead there. he recovered and also built the fortress of Chapieu onMont Mimat [fr], and was done so that it could accommodate a garrison.[41] This allowed the monitoring of the direct route betweenMont Lozère andVillefort, in other words towards theRegordane Way, trade route.
At that time, however, Mende was not provided the civil and religious capital ofGévaudan. In fact the power was always dependent of two entities: The county and Viscount ofGrèzes. The Viscount, property of the King of Aragon, was recovered by the King of France in 1258. The bishop had great power as a vassal, but he didn't have the total legitimacy of some Royal officials. This situation ended from 1307 with the Act ofparéage between BishopGuillaume VI Durand and KingPhilip IV. Indeed, it definitively fixed the possessions of the king and those of the bishop, even if some disputes persisted.[42]
During theHundred Years' War security increased with the strengthening of the fortifications and the construction of ditches to 1361-1362.[43] At that time, the chapter of Mende had a castle on the heights of the city,Chastel-Nouvel. In 1370 many locals felt safe from the ramparts of the city, despite threats from theroutiers. Also, few of them took refuge in Chastel-Nouvel. But the walls were insufficient, and could not prevent the pillages.[44] This period isolated Mende from its neighbours, includingLe Puy-en-Velay, and waited the arrival of the Constable of France,Bertrand du Guesclin, then the intervention ofCharles VI and the liberation of the region so that the roads reopened around 1452.
In 1390,Bernardon de la Salle [fr] was in Mende, whereJohn III of Armagnac sought, on behalf of the King of France, to put an end to the private war that Raymond de Turenne led against the Pope from Avignon. The Gascon signed as a witness to an agreement between the legate ofClement VII, Antoine de Lisa,Bishop of Maguelone [fr], and a representative of the Viscount of Turenne.[note 1] This interview of Mende helped the Florentines to send ambassadors to solicit the Count of Armagnac. He was proposed to cross the Alps and attack the Count of Vertus in Lombardy.[note 2]
It was also at this time thatPope Urban V began the work of the cathedral (1368),[45] for a completion in 1467. By its letters patent, KingLouis XI confirmed the privileges for this cathedral, granted by his predecessors, in September 1464.[46]
Statue of Pope Urban V
At the beginning of the 1470s, conflict erupted between BishopAntoine de La Panouse [fr] and King Louis XI, because of the support that the bishop had given to the County ofArmagnac when it had revolted. To counter it, the king subtracted La Panouse authority over the city which then became autonomous. It wasn't until 1478 that the bishops found authority over the city, sharing revenues with the consul.[47]
At the end of the Hundred Years' War, Mende developed its production of drapery, and thus increased its role as a commercial crossroads between theLanguedoc andAuvergne, exporting its fame. It is estimated that in the 16th century Mende was one of the richest dioceses of Languedoc beforeMontpellier andToulouse.[48] This wealth of the diocese reinforced the ecclesiastical power. Thus among the list of the bishops of the time one can count a number from the family of thePope.Giuliano della Rovere was ordained bishop of Mende, although he never visited in the capital of Gévaudan (practice known ascommendation). His nephews,Clement andFrançois [fr], succeeded him in this position. During his tenure, François adorned the cathedral with its bell towers, which one hosted theNon Pareille, the largest bell in the world.[49]
In October 1485, when Clement de La Rovere came to the episcopal seat, old quarrels between the consul and the bishopric re-emerged, first mentioned with fear of losing this privilege. Thus they barricaded the gates of Mende, so that the bishop could not access. At this time the bishops primarily used theirBalsièges Castle as a residence (that ofChanac being the summer residence). In vain as theDella Rovere family covered the full authority by notice of the king in 1492. The title of consul was held in place of the traditional title of trustee.[50]
Mende in the 16th century from an old engravingAn aerial view of the cathedral
In the 16th century, the main events were theReformation and theWars of Religion which resulted. On 21 July 1562, 4,000 Protestants got within the walls of the city. They destroyed the unprotected monuments and besieged the city by depriving it of water. They withdrew four days later, largely due to being given 2,000 ecus.[51] This ransom ensured the city a few years of peace.
During theSt. Bartholomew's Day massacre,Baron [fr] Astorg de Peyre[note 3] was murdered in the king's room:[52] his widow then hired a young man,Matthieu Merle to avenge the death of her husband.[53] From 1569 to 1576 he held with his troops the fortress ofGrèzes where he gradually seized the north ofGévaudan. From 1577 he moved with his troops toMarvejols intending to seize Mende, although not ceasing his conquests to the north, he failed however in August 1578 atSaint-flour. The night ofChristmas 1579, to enter the city, Merle's soldiers waited until the people of Mendes were at midnightmass, and made their takeover of the city.[54] According to one account, Merle's soldiers "seized the city by betrayal and massacred 400 priests or followers, most of them within the walls itself, of the cathedral."[55]
During his stay in Mende, Merle made further fortification to the city, not hesitating razing 120 homes to restore the ramparts.[56] In February 1581, while he ruled all theGévaudan, he enforced the threat he had made to the people. He had in fact asked them to deliver 4,000 ecus, a sum that the Mendois could not collect. He partially destroyedMende Cathedral built byPope Urban V. He saved a bell tower to avoid damaging the episcopal palace where his home was established.[57] It was at this time that theNon Pareille was melted, the biggest bell in the world,[49] to manufactureculverins and other cannonballs. The city was liberated on bail that year thanks to the intervention of theKing of Navarre.
The city liberated, aseneschal was created to ensure the peace.[56] Response to the attack of Merle was organised in 1586 against the town ofMarvejols, led by baron de Saint-Vidal. It was during this response that the Peyre fortress disappeared from the rock of Peyre.[58] The seneschal took its place. The Tower of Auriac,[59] today known as the Tower of Penitents, was built to accommodate one hundred soldiers. The seneschal gradually took precedence over the diocese, which called for the help of the Duke of Languedoc in 1597. It was after this episode that the Seneschal of Mende disappeared.[56]
The beginning of the 17th century was coloured by the work of reconstruction of the cathedral for an inauguration in 1605, although work had lasted until 1629.[60] Far from the splendour of the original, while taking up the same plane, this new cathedral was characterised by a bell tower which was smaller than the other.
Between 1645 and 1660, the city was the scene of strife between two rival factions: The Marmaux and the Catharinaux, all members of the consuls or the bourgeoisie, but not having the same opinion on the importance of episcopal power, the latter being opposed. The bishop was also the target of an attack while he officiated in Mende Cathedral in 1645 (he was actually not touched). After several trials, it was not without difficulty that the kingdom gave back his ancestral power, the consul remaining under his control.[61]
At the end of the century,Monsignor Piencourt [fr] landscaped a lane which joined to the Lot (since known as"Allée Piencourt") and especially acquired theAubusson tapestries for the episcopal palace. These tapestries, classified, since adorn the cathedral. It was also behind the early educational development in the city and contributed to the building of the hospital. It also made the hospital its heir, allowing it to develop.[62]
In 1702, the war of theCamisards was triggered in theCévennes. Mende somewhat landscaped its walls in order to prevent any attack. However, this war which began with the murder ofFather du Chayla atLe Pont-de-Montvert never reached Mende.[63]
In 1721, theGreat Plague arrived inGévaudan affecting the town of Mende with an amount of 1,078 victims in one year. Two generations later, the walls were removed (in 1768), "so the air circulates better".[64]
A house of the 17th century called "Maison de Mandrin" with false balusters beneath the windows.
Once all these troubles passed, the city redeveloped its economy around wool andsheep farming. The city extended a little bit under the development of the appearance of the mills, and its first factory. In 1754, Mende sawLouis Mandrin the famous brigand, who lodged in a house there and, according to legend, hid treasure.[65][66]
Between 1764 and 1767, Mende was the witness the comings and goings of the wolf-hunters of the king, who came to seek rest in the city before returning to hunt thebeast which was terrorising the north of the country. It was seen close to Mende, once at Pailhou and between Rieutort-de-Randon andChastel-Nouvel[67] but remained primarily inMargeride. At this time the quarrel between the consul and the bishop was brought up to date by the edict on municipal organizations. The burghers and nobles opposed, but the bishop finally retained power in 1771.
During theFrench Revolution, Mende had to share with Marvejols the function of department capital of Gévaudan. This was renamed in the Lozère department in 1790, and the guardianship of the church disappeared in 1791, thus putting an end to theparéage of 1307. Mende was the scene of small counter-revolutionary clashes, but without great effects. It became the sole capital shortly after.
The Place de la RépubliqueWar memorial of 1870The Émile-Joly Square, the Saint-Ilpide home, and the Rieucros Viaduct and the hospital in the background
In 1800, the prefect settled in the city, and the prefecture occupies the episcopal palace after the sale of the property of the church. In the middle of the 19th century, the causses around Mende are planted with Austrian black pine, this national forest has continued since then. The choice ofblack pine was due to its ease of acclimation, and its robustness. The presence of this forest often protected Mende from floods.
Then therailway appeared in the prefecture, then linking toSévérac-le-Château (3 May 1884).[68] The railway line follows the Lot to cross the city, and also continues to follow, like the newly created road. In 1887 the old episcopal palace disappeared in flames, the prefecture had to be rebuilt.
On 8 April 1888[69] Mende became one of the first cities in France, and the firstchef-lieu to have electric lighting.[68] The plant was installed in the oldHôtel de Ressouches [fr].
The twentieth century was marked by a beginning of economic decline. The gradual end of the wool industry, theFirst and theSecond World War depopulated the city. Between 1931 and 1934 baths are built, since becoming theSaint Ilpide [fr] Home,[70] and located on the market square. The building was destroyed in summer 2013, to be replaced by a multi-cultural hall.
In 1939, shortly before World War II, aninternment camp was built in thewoods of the Rieucros.[71] The population was opposed to this transit camp for anti-fascists and communists. It then became an internment camp exclusively for women.[71] The mayor at the time,Henri Bourrillon [fr],[72] condemned theVichy regime and the camp in his hometown, where he made sure that children interned with their mother followed a normal education. His hostile words and acts to the regime in place led him to be removed from his post in 1941. He then joinedResistance where he became one of the leaders for the Lozère. Arrested and sent to German camps in 1944, he died during a transfer in 1945.
Ideally placed between theMaquis of theCévennes and theAubrac, the town was located as well as a centre for the coordination of the Lozère Interior Resistance.[73] As for the population, it protected itselfPlace Urbain V [fr] where shelters against aerial bombardments were implemented.[74]
From the 1970s, the city had a sizable population growth. The city then extended to the Causse d'Auge. In the 1980s and 1990s, one can also see that the department was depopulating overall, while its prefecture was expanding. Culture and sport took more importance in the life of the city.
During the 1990s, the city developed administrative reconciliations with nearby cities. Therefore, it formed the Estelle city network withAurillac andRodez.[75] The principle of the network was to share experiences and pool resources to develop such medium-sized cities. Shortly after, it was with other networks that Mende became closer to other cities of theMassif Central. This is the case, for example, with the Cyber Massif network dedicated to the digital opening up of the region.[76]
Moreover, since the beginning of the 21st century, Mende had tried to actively participate[77] in the policies of opening up of the Massif Central. The city lies in the Lot Valley and reached an area of 37 square kilometres (14 sq mi) in the 2000s.[78] It also seeks to enroll in asustainable development project, in the image of the department with, among other projects, the construction of acogeneration plant and the establishment of anetwork of heat. The timber industry, so important in the economy of the city, could therefore be put to further use. The establishment of bio-energy in the city has also been carried out by the appearance of awind farm north of the city.[79]
The town hallPrefecture and headquarters of the General Council of Lozère
Mende is thechef-lieu of theLozère department: It welcomes in this regard theprefecture and the headquarters of theGeneral Council. The buildings of these two institutions are scattered within the city. A project of the Department Hall to consolidate all services of the General Council is under consideration. The mayor's office is housed in the town hall which dates from the 18th century, however, a large part of the services have been moved to the annex of the mayor's office.[80]
This is the old consular house which was used as a city hall of the Revolution until 1852. On that date, Mayor Becamel bought the Pages family mansion located in thePlace d'Angiran. Since then the city hall has been based in this city mansion (listed historical monument)[81] in the square which has becomePlace Charles-de-Gaulle, although a part of the services is now located in the annex which faces it. As the cathedral, the city hall also houses the tapestries of Aubusson, classified since 1909.[82]
The city of Mende belongs to theCœur de Lozère Community of Communes [fr]. It was created in December 2001 under the name ofCommunauté de communes de la Haute Vallée d'Olt before changing its name in 2009. The commune being the largest in terms of population, it was its mayor,Jean-Jacques Delmas, who became the first president of the community.
The implementation of thiscommunity of communes has allowed a transfer of powers. So, all areas of economic activity and sports facilities now fall under the responsibility of the community, rather than the commune itself.
However, the actions are much wider since waste treatment also enters the competence of the community. Thewaste disposal site of the commune lies in the ZAE du Causse d'Auge, north of the city. In this context, unsorted collection is also the responsibility of the community of communes.
This community of communes is not the only grouping of communities for the town of Mende. A comprehensive plan was implemented around the label[83]Pays d'Art et d'Histoire de Mende et Lot en Gévaudan [Lands of art and history of Mende and Lot in Gevaudan].[84] These are twenty-two communes which now belong to the Pays d'Art [Lands of Art] which comes in the continuity of thecity of art and history label which Mende has had since 1981. The lands comprises four communities: Cœur de Lozère,Goulet-Mont Lozère [fr],Valdonnez [fr] andPays de Chanac [fr], which is assistant to theChastel-Nouvel commune.
The city is thechef-lieu of two cantons:Mende-1 and Mende-2 since 2015.[85] Mende-1 comprises the northern part of the city, Mende-2 the southern part.
Before the Act ofparéage of 1307, Mendoise and Gevaudanaise justice was fully devolved to the bishops. This power was shared with the king after the signing of the Act. Power was shared between the variousbarons [fr] for the communal land, with Mende being in the land of the bishops andMarvejols in lands of the king, and like this until 1789.
The courthouse was built between 1833 and 1835.[87] On 18 February 1994, it was the target of a bombing by theFLNC.
The tribunal groups together a children's tribunal, a tribunal of commerce, a court and a high court. It depends on theCourt of appeal of Nîmes [fr].
The city has long heldprisons. Current prison was commissioned in 1891.[88] One of the first high-security areas of France was then moved there in 1949.[89] It was at this date that the prison ownership changed, from the State Department.[88] Several personalities have stayed here, the most famous beingJacques Mesrine.[90]André Génovès' film,Mesrine released in 1983, also tells of the criminal plan to destroy the QHS.François Besse [fr] had sought to bring Jacques Mesrine out of prison when he was imprisoned in Mende.[91] This area had also been the target of critics, such as those of the Committee of action of prisoners andSerge Livrozet, in 1975. In 1989, the Mende detention centre was again publicised with the escape ofAhmed Otmane [fr], who managed to escape by threatening guards with a dummy gun.[92] The last prison 'personality' of Mende,René Riesel [fr], activist of theConfédération paysanne [fr] alongsideJosé Bové, was imprisoned after the case of theMcDonald's franchise destruction inMillau.[93]
Since 2007, the cities of Wunsiedel and Volterra are also paired together. The twinning with Vila Real (much more populous than the city of Mende) is explained by the fact that a large part of the Portuguese population of Mende, and Lozère in general, is from this region.[94]
In contrast to the department ofLozère, the prefecture saw its demographic curve draw increasingly since theFrench Revolution. If the department was strongly affected by therural exodus in France [fr] and the great wars of the 20th century,[95] the city had the presence of its own authorities.[96][97] This may explain why Mende has not experienced the same trend as Lozère. This table shows the demographic for the town of Mende, but it can be considered that thebassin Mendois [Mende area] follows the same trend.
The Mende population is fairly young taking into account the ageing population of Lozère. Compared with the 1990 census, it is the age group of 15–29 years which has had the greatest increase at the expense of those aged 0–14 and 30–44 years. The number of near-centenarians was also greater in 1999 than in 1990.
In Mende, the share of the immigrant population represents about 8% of the total population.[100] They originate mostly fromPortugal (mainly fromVila Real),Morocco,Algeria, andTurkey. This being the image of immigration in the region.[101] The Spanish immigration, which was very present in the middle of the twentieth century, has been disappearing since the 1970s.[101]
The Jacques Maillot Institute (IUP) branch of the University of Perpignan
Mende has three nursery schools:Solelhons (the small Suns inOccitan), the Chênes school and Fontanilles school. They are in close relations with the primary schools of the Groupe solaire, AnnexMichel del Castillo School and Fontanilles School, Jeanne d'Arc School dealing with private education.
The public college of Henri-Bourillon is located in the former small seminary, and share places with the LycéeChaptal. It hosts students from the city as well as a number from other neighbouring municipalities (Badaroux,Barjac,Chanac,Saint-Bauzile,Saint-Étienne-du-Valdonnez, etc.). The private college is the college ofSaint-Privat [fr]. The continuity of private education is at the Lycée Notre-Dame. Another high school, the Lycée Emile Peytavin allows, in addition to general education, technical and vocational education.[102] Finally, now attached to the Lycée Notre-Dame,[103] we find the Private Professional Lycée Plaisance.
Institutions of the city are also have one of the best success rates for theBaccalauréat diploma, compared with the other schools in the area,[104][105][106] which puts them in the first half best institutions of France.[107]
The festivities of the town of Mende are held annually in the month of August. They were related to the feast ofSaint Privat [fr], on 21 August. They are decorated with a flower parade and the election of "Miss Mende". Then, in September, every other year, Mende hosts its beer festival, with its twin town ofWunsiedel. The city has also several sports events. At the cultural level, the "meetings of writers" were organized at the beginning of the 1990s, in August. They have welcomed regional authors but also renowned authors such asCalixthe Beyala andMichel Folco.
The arms of France and Navarre on one of the gates to the old Piencourt hospital
The department has a hospital, which opened in 1970.[109] Five of the six services are located in Mende:[109]Guy de Chauliac Hospital, the retirement home, the convalescence centre, the Training Institute in Nursing and boarding school. The sixth branch, another retirement home, is based atRieutort-de-Randon.[109]
To this one can add 20 physicians, general practitioners and specialists as well as a centre of firefighters. Though, if the implementation of the current hospital is fairly recent, the city has a fairly old hospital story.
In the 12th century was the "alms house" for the population. This hospital, located onRue Angiran, derived its income from the operation of a mill in the district of La Vernède, as well as donations of the lords of the lands.[111] It was partially destroyed in 1593 during the construction of a nearby citadel. Though the citadel disappeared in 1597, the hospital was not repaired immediately.[111] From 1635 a budget was allocated for the rebuilding of the institution. It would not be built in the same place, and would take the name of "Hospital of Aygues-Passes". In 1677François-Placide de Baudry de Piencourt [fr] becameBishop of Mende [fr] and thus Count of Gévaudan. In his first year as bishop, he rebuilt a new hospital which became the "general hospital". In 1702 it enlarged, and at his death he bequeathed it all of his possessions.[111] This hospital, today the Piencourt residence, remained in use until the inauguration of the hospital. Added to this hospital, two establishments existed following periods of epidemics, both which were outside the city. A plague centre, referred to as 'House of God', was established in the district of Janicot. At the Saint-Jean Bridge (now Pont-Roupt), amaladrerie was rebuilt in 1242, intended for the accommodation of lepers.[111]
Mende is, by its number of licensees and all events, a sports town. Therefore, she was elected twice thesportiest city of France [fr] by the daily newspaperL'Équipe (1988 and 1998) and a finalist in 2011. It is one of only a few cities of France to have achieved this distinction twice.[112]
Vernède sports hall (partly for bowling)The Jean-Jacques Delmas Stadium
Mende features[113] a sports zone known as theComplexe sportif de Jean Jacques Delmas [Sports complex of Jean Jacques Delmas], in honour of his death, having been originally of this project he was the mayor of Mende for 25 years. There are 3 football/rugby pitches (the Stade du Chapitre and 2 training grounds), the semi-OlympicMarceau Crespin [fr] pool,[114] tennis courts, a fitness room, a skate-park, a street-ball court, table-tennis hall and archery/shooting. It is in this complex which the '"Festival of sport" takes place every two years. Chapitre Stadium, enlarged at theMediterranean Games has 500 seats, but this figure may be largely surpassed during some matches.
Installed on the causse d'Auge are three soccer/rugby fields and an athletics track, which came to replace the old track of Mirandol. The Stade de Mirandol had the municipal stadium office until the 1980s. Since 2006, an equestrian centre is also located on the causse,[115] it comes in addition to the aging Sirvens centre located at the exit of the city. Finally, the causse d'Auge was the chosen site, in 2008, for the construction of a new gymnasium, opposite the football fields.[116]
Mont Mimat [fr] offers a freestyle park, many hiking, mountain biking and running trails, a jogging track and a football field. On theLot, since 1983, a canoe base has been developed in order to practice several water sports.
Near theChaptal Lycée and the Henri Bourrillon College is the La Vernède complex. In this area are two gymnasiums, a dojo, a gymnastics Hall, one dance, one climbing (over an area outdoors), a covered petanque pitch and one outdoors. Before the construction of the gymnasium of La Vernède, this place was that of the municipal swimming pool and two tennis courts.
Close to other educational institutions, other gyms are installed. There are six in all in the city: La Vernède, Lycée Notre-Dame, Piencourt, Lycée Chaptal, Lycée Théophile Roussel and college Saint-Privat.
The Round of 32 of the Coupe de France from 2012 to 2013 between AF Lozère and AC Arles-Avignon.Round of 16 finals of the Coupe de France Volleyball 2010-2011 between VB Mende and VB Tours
Many clubs share the facilities of the city.Football clubÉveil Mendois evolved inCFA2 during two seasons (2000–01 and 2001–02), its successor,AF Lozère,[117] plays in theDivision d'honneur [fr] (6th division). The Éveil Mendois football club came from theomnisports club [fr] of the same name, founded in 1920. One of the highlights of its history remains a finish in the last 32 ofCoupe de France final played oppositeAngoulême on 24 January 1999.[118] More recently, Mende moved up to the last 16 of the finals at the 2013 Coupe de France, winning on this occasion the "ranking of the Petits Poucets".
The key club is theMende Volley Lozère [fr] (formerly Mende Volley Ball) which plays in the Elite division, for the season 2014-2014 (3rd national division). At the top level, the MVL has a title ofchampion of France of N3 [fr] obtained at the end of the 2008-2009 season and a participation in the third round of the 2010-2011 Coupe de France.
OfRugby union (Rugby Club Mende Lozère), it found its place inFédérale 3 in 2006, but returned to the regional level in the 2010s. The club however already evolved to a higher level a few years previously.[119]
Thehandball team (Mende Gévaudan Club) is evolving in 2014-2015 in the National 3 France Championship. Finally, thebasketball team (basketball Causses Mendois) was found in 2014-2015 at the regional level. For women there are also handball, volleyball and basketball clubs which are Mendois clubs of highest level.
Mende can be granted a special status toorienteering, an individual sport with team competitions. The fact remains that Mende is playing in the elite league of France,[120] andM. G. C. Pétanque and its three veteran champions of France in 2007.
Sports diversity does not stop there. Mende clubs also includeroller hockey (Les Comets). Mende is also home to individual sports:Athletics,badminton,cycling,motorcycling, as well as many combat sports clubs.
Since the beginning of the 2000s, a sports centre was set up to accompany young high school athletes to prepare for the best level. From the membership of the COL (centre omnisports Lozère), there isRomain Paulhan [fr] (France MTB 2010 downhill champion) and Fanny Lombard (Junior Champion of Europe 2009 and 2010 in the same discipline).
The Castan Trophy, final of theTrèfle Lozérien in 2008Julien Bérard won the 2nd stage of the Tour du Gévaudan 2008, which arrived in Mende
Each year, theTrèfle Lozérien [fr], anenduro competition, centres its course on the city of Mende. This race is part of the most renowned of the enduro season and allows, in addition, mixing professional and amateur riders.
One month later (July), the city centre is dedicated to foot racing and the arrival ofMarvejols-Mende half marathon [fr]. This race starts fromMarvejols, joining Mende by the Col de Goudard and the Côte de Chabrits. It is sometimes used as a preparationmarathon for major events (the World Championships, Olympic Games), but is also open to amateurs as the majority of the marathons. Since 2006, the month of July is also marked by the organisation of a national ofpétanque.
Cycling is also in honour of the city. TheGrand Prix of the city of Mende [fr] hosted the best professionals in the 1970s. Since then, theCôte de la Croix Neuve [fr] has seen five stage finishes in theTour de France (1995, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2018), and stages in theTour de l'Avenir, theGrand Prix du Midi Libre, theTour du Languedoc-Roussillon [fr] andParis-Nice. Since 2006 and the rebirth of theTour du Gévaudan, Mende is judged the final arrival of this amateur race of great importance. In 2008, the event was organised as theFinale de la Coupe des France des clubs [final of the Cup of France for clubs]. During the winter, a grand prix of regionalcyclo-cross is also organized. The grand departure of the Tour de France VTT 1996, as well as the first two stages, happened at Mende.
In October 2005, the city hosted the 37th national congress of the French hiking federation,[122] Lozère being a popular department for hikers, and is crossed by two of the most important roads of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Then, in 2007, Mende was the host of a round of the French enduro championships,[123] as well as the final of the Coupe de Francerally.[124]
In 2008, France welcomed the enduro European grand prix, the final of the World Championship (WEC). It was the town ofAlès which was chosen to host the competition. However the organization was forced to give up, and it was finally hosted by Mende on 11 and 12 October 2008.[125] In 2011, the city hosted the Grand Prix of France, final of the World Championship.[126]
Mende is the seat of most of the media of Lozère. Thus we find the writings of the Lozère edition ofMidi Libre andLozère nouvelle [fr] [New Lozère], with regard to the written press.
The radio stationFrance Bleu andTotem [fr] have their editorial offices inLozère. While Radio Eaux-Vives Lozère is installed at the former Grand Seminary.[127]
The cathedralThe entrance of the old synagogueThe Tower of the PenitentsProcession of the White Penitents
The town of Mende is the episcopal seat ofGévaudan andLozère, religious life has always been linked with its bishops. Also chapter headquarters, Mende has welcomed a large number ofcanons. A religious brotherhood, the "Brotherhood of the White Penitents" has long existed and has a procession everyHoly Thursday since the 17th century.[128] The Tower of the Penitents (called so because it is adjacent to the chapel of the penitents) is one of the last vestiges of the ramparts of the city.
The main place of worship is theCathedral of Notre-Dame and Saint-Privat, built at the request of Pope Urban V, in place of the old church built over the tomb ofSaint Privat [fr] but the city has many small chapels. One of the oldest is the chapel of Saint-Ilpide, on the hill of the executioner, which however was destroyed and replaced by a small chapel. Two other chapels are no longer used: That of the Penitents (future Museum of Religious Art) and the Chapel of Saint-Dominique (exhibition hall). The Chapel of the Hermitage (onMont Mimat [fr]) and the cave which was drilled alongside, can still be used for offices.
TheCarmeliteconvent has existed since 1880[129] and has hosted a community of Carmelite nuns, which ensures production ofaltar bread (or wafers) for the diocese (and those nearby). Another Convent is installed in Mende, which is the Adoration of Picpus Convent. At theRue de la Chicanette is installed the Jeanne Delanoue community of the Providence; little used for celebration services, the place is used for meetings between people in the religious world. The community is at the origin of the creation of the institution Notre-Dame-de-la-Providence, a social children's home adjacent to its premises and which hosts minors under administrative and judicial protection. There are of other religious communities, mainly related to private schools and retirement or rest homes.
Worship in Mende, due to its history, is very oriented towardsCatholicism, but there are other places of worship for other religions. Thus Mende, near of theCévennes, has aProtestanttemple installed in theAllée Paul Doumer.
The city also had asynagogue in the formerJewish quarter, but it has long since been abandoned.[130] This synagogue, also called Ferrier House from the name of one of its former owners, is the last vestige of the Mende ghetto. The Jews were expelled from the Gévaudan in the 14th century, and this synagogue became the (Catholic) college of All Saints until theFrench Revolution.
Whilst counting the presence of aMuslim community,[131] the city has nomosque, but simply an apartment that serves as place of worship.[132][133]
Industrial (wood industry, jewelry), service centre (shops, restaurants, bars), administrative (generates a lot of jobs) and tourism (medieval town, excursions toGorges du Tarn), Mende is the starting point for the establishment of new businesses[134] in the department, and turned more towardsnew technologies, with the advent of the technological hub.[135]
The city has more than 1300 companies,[136] including about 900 in the commercial sector, and has an unemployment rate of 10.7% (2017).[136]
The city has five zones of economic activities (ZAE), each having a rather clearly defined role. The largest is the ZAE of the Causse d'Auge (north of the city), with a mainly industrial orientation in automation or in the management of the wood. The ZI of Gardès, on the road toBadaroux is an industrial area covering public works and mainly the building companies. The ZAE Lou Chaousse and Chabrits (both in the northwest) also have a vocation craft, but more oriented towards the trade for individuals. And finally, thePôle lozérien d'économie numérique (POLeN) is turned to the new technologies.
In addition, since the mid-2000s, theZAC [fr] de Ramille was created. This area, wedged between the Lot and the RN 88 on the road to Balsièges hosts a commercial zone which has tended to develop. It is without doubt, with the area of the Causse d'Auge, the area of activity that has extended most recently.
In the near future a new area of activity should emerge north of Mende, in the commune of Badaroux. This area whose size is expected to reach approximately 40 hectares (99 acres) initially, would be served by theRN 88 [fr] landscapedexpressway.
If the commune no longer has many farms, the city remains at the centre of a very rural area and is very oriented towards agriculture. Indeed, 54% of the Lozère territory is classified as a "utilised agricultural area".[138] Livestock in the commune is mainly dedicated to the sheep sector, although cattle farms are found located between Mende and neighbouring communes.
This attraction to sheep is ancestral to Mende, since the city has long lived wool exploitation, since the 16th century. In 1333 the city already had a brotherhood of the weavers.[139] In 1849, the town was still equipped with five large mills.[139] However, while having a rich textile past,[140][141] the city now retains no activity.
Like theLozère department, industry in Mende is mainly oriented towards thetimber sector: Its operation, its treatment, its derivatives, etc. Another industry that holds an important place in the city is that of construction and public works.
The city is strongly turned towards thetertiary sector. As said above, a majority of the enterprises of the city are shops. Mende is the centre of an area's population of approximately 25,000 inhabitants around the Lot Valley,[142] the city therefore centralises much of the services. Its quality of prefecture adds to the presence of public service.
Tourism has also developed since the end of the 20th century. This openness on tourism translated between 1983 and 2008 by the creation of the office of tourism (municipal and intermunicipal), an increase of 400 beds offered to tourists, the opening of a holiday village and of a youth hostel, but also the creation of activity centre (canoe base, Freestyle Park, etc.).[143] The city has eleven hotels, four with three stars and four having two.[144] To this one can add the holiday village of Chapitre that offers 42 gîtes for rent,[145] as well as two campsites near the Lot.
Other businesses are those that can be found in other modern cities (banks, insurance, bakeries, the press houses, clothes, etc.). The city has a supermarket and a hypermarket, as well as severalsuperettes and other discounters. The hypermarket, which is of recent construction, belongs to theSystème U group and is located in the new area of activity of Ramilles. The supermarket (Intermarché) is, meanwhile, close to the city centre. Markets, vestiges of the traditional markets of the city are many, taking place on Wednesday (textile, utility, etc.) atPlace Chaptal, and on Saturday mornings (food market) atPlace Chaptal andPlace Urbain V. In addition, night markets are held during the summer.
A house with atoit en carène [fr]The water flows through underground pipes to the Lot, here to the Notre Dame BridgeThe Notre-Dame Bridge
Since 1981 Mende has been classified as a city of art,[150] and, since 2000, the grouping ofMende and Lot in the Gévaudan has the label of "city and land of art and history".[150]
Indeed, the city has a rich architectural heritage,[151] witness of the prosperous time related to thepapacy.
TheCathedral of Saint-Privat (classed as ahistorical monument in 1906)[152] whose construction began in 1368 at the initiative ofPope Urban V. Its bell towers date back, however, to the 16th century, following the destruction of one of them during the passage of the Huguenots byMatthieu Merle. The large belfry included housing"Non Pareille", the largestbell in the world melted between 1517 and 1521 inVillefort and destroyed during theWars of Religion. There remains only the clapper. The cathedral consists of twelve rectangular chapels, two pentagonal chapels and asacristy. Originally it was built above the Sainte-Thècle crypt where the body ofSaint Privat had been buried. It is located next to the old episcopal palace.
The city has many public fountains. Water from the causses thus enters a piping system located beneath the city before joining theLot. Two of them (Aigues-Passe[153] and Soubeyrand)[154] are classified as historic monuments. Piped water also enters the old wash house of the Calquières, still visible onRue d'Angiran.
The Tower of the Penitents
This tower is one of the few remains of the ancient walls of the 12th century. Protecting the Gate of Angiran which was next to it, this tower served as guard for the short-lived Seneschal of Mende. It includes three floors and an attic. This is the installation of the chapel which is adjacent, and especially its bell tower at the top which saved the tower during the destruction of the walls in 1768.[155]
The Notre-Dame Bridge
Dating back to the 13th century, this bridge is one of the symbols of the city. It has never been carried away by frequent floods in Mende. It formerly went by the name of Peyrenc Bridge, then took the name of Notre Dame due to the presence on its mouth of a Virgin, which disappeared during the Wars of Religion. Its span has a 22 metres (72 ft) opening and is 7 metres (23 ft) high.[155]
The Hermitage of Saint Privat
Saint Privat withdrew, in the 3rd century, into caves that he had built over Mende, onMont Mimat [fr]. Since his Hermitage was built, it also to allow the pilgrims to go there. It can be accessed either by Way of the Cross (from the market) or by road from the causse (RD 25). At the hermitage, we find a hotel for the reception of the pilgrims,[note 8] a chapel, grotto and a breakthrough designed to the original cave.
The former consular home
The House where the consul sat, since 1578, also served as city hall after theRevolution. On its pediment is found the arms of the city: "Azure in the Gothic M of or, a shining Sun similarly topped." Facing it is atrompe-l'œil wall symbolizing the twinning of Mende and Volterra.
Bahours Castle
Located in the northwest of the city, the Bahours locality had two castles, one of which was destroyed in 1960. The remaining one is a strong house (manse) built in the 17th century, possibly on the foundations of a more ancient building. The main interest of this strong house is its kitchen listed as a historical monument, like the whole building.[156]
The old theatre became municipal cinema (miniplex [fr])
Mende features a municipaltheatre and several rooms that can be used to this kind of show. The ancient theatre of the city turned intocinema. A development project involves the construction of a new multicultural hall. In addition, Mende has a departmentallibrary, the Lamartine Library.
The ancient theatre of the city, established between 1890 and 1895,[157] was replaced by a cinema. The main room used for the theatre is now the festival hall located at the market. This room, and its natural scenery of arches, is multi-cultural and is the largest in the city in terms of capacity. On the market lies theantirouille, a municipal building for young people and allowing everyone to have access to theinternet, this building has a room to organize concerts.
Near the market, along theChemin Saint-Ilpide, the Urban V municipal room hosts plays, live shows, and also meetings and projections (world knowledge, for example).
Finally as part of the redevelopment of the market (started by the installation of the intercommunal tourism office and the renovation of the Lamartine Library), an auditorium should be created behind the festival hall (the Émile-Joly Square being moved).[158]
The Ignon-Fabre Museum[159] (or the Museum of Mende) was located onRue de l'Épine [street of the Holy thorn], at theHôtel de Ressouches [fr], where there was installed the first electrification plant of the city. It was however closed due to lack of budget. Before it, a museum was located in a house next to the prison.
The Chapel of Saint-Dominique and the current Department Hall can serve as an exhibition space, as can the Chapel of the Penitents and the former consular house.
In addition a project of the Museum ofSacred Arts [fr], currently under study, should be installed in the Chapel of the Penitents.[158]
The poem, written by an author whose story did not retain the name, was confirmed in the 19th century:
Nothing is as beautiful as the view to be enjoyed on the hill which overlooks Mende. The green mountains surround the city, the gardens, the bold and elegant cathedral spires, all this presents a tableau of the most picturesque.[161]
However, not everyone had a positive vision of the city. It had long had problems with sewage into the modern era, and was denigrated despite its charm:
This city is small and the triangular shape makes it look pretty much like the shape of a heart. It is heavily populated, dirty, unsavoury and stifled. Its fountains are its main beauty.[162]
This quote comes perhaps from the conditions in which the geographer of the king came in the city. Like those who would declare to Serge Livrozet that Mende wascapital of Lozère and torture.
Henri Bourrillon [fr] (1891-1944), lawyer. During World War II, he was mayor of the city before becoming a hero of theResistance, deported toAuschwitz, thenBuchenwald, died on German roads.
Urban V (1310-1370),Pope, born in the commune ofLe Pont-de-Montvert but strongly attached to the episcopal capital of Gévaudan.
Jean-Antoine Chaptal (1756-1832), born in the vicinity of Mende, but in the commune of Badaroux, it is however very linked to the city. He was a chemist, businessman and Councillor of State underNapoleon. He was the inventor ofchaptalisation (process aimed at improving the quality of thewine).
When KingLouis XI granted autonomy to the city, he granted new arms in 1469. An 'L' surmounted by a crown, in gratitude to the king, was added to these in 1475.[165]
Mende in 1469
On the left, the arms of the cities of 1469 and 1475, with theblazon: Or, afessgules, surmounted twofleurs de lys of France.
Right, those which are updated in honour of King Louis XI, from 1475, and which persisted until the 16th century.
The current coat of arms dates from the sixteenth century. These weapons were registered in the Armorial General of France in 1697.[166]
Arms of Mende
The arms of Mende areblazoned : Azure, to a letter Muncial ofor topped of a sun of the same.
Themotto is:Tenebrae eam non comprehenderunt (Darkness has not invaded me).
The symbolism of the shield, also named "the shining sun", and the motto both illustrate Mende loyalty towards the Catholic faith during the dark hours of theWars of Religion.
^Raymond de Turenne came to Mende with his cousins Garin VIII, Baron d'Apcher en Gévaudan and Raoul de Lestrange, seigneur of Boulogne en Vivarais. A truce was agreed until 15 August 1391. The agreement was ratified in the name of Clement VII by François de Conzié, Archbishop of Arles, on 20 August 1390. Six days later, Raymond de Turenne committedsur les Saintes Envangiles de Dieu et par la foi de son corps à les tenir et accomplir loyalement et sans fraude. (on Saintes Envangiles of God and the faith of his body to keep and faithfully perform and without fraud.) Finally on 28 August in Avignon, Marie de Blois, Countess of Provence approved the agreement and affixed her seal.
^During his marriage to Isabeau of France, daughter of Jean le Bon, Galéas Visconti had received in dowry the county of Vertus in Champagne. This noble title, the only one which could boast the Visconti, was passed to Jean Galéas. The Embassy of Florence was discreet since it was only revealed officially three months later. Jean III of Armagnac had a score to settle with Jean Galéas about the rights of his sister Beatrix d'Armagnac to the estate of his uncle Barnabò. The ambassadors of Florence came propose alliance and financial support.
^Des fouilles vers le quartier de la Vabre ont révélé la présence d'un petit village celtique de cette période. Félix Buffière, Ce tant rude Gévaudan, tome I, p. 648
^Félix Buffière, Ce tant rude Gévaudan, tome I, p. 826
^Félix Buffière, Ce tant rude Gévaudan, tome I, p. 829
^"Léon Costecalde,Monographie illustré de la cathédrale de Mende (Imprimerie Ignon-Renouard, 1922) p.13 ("La nuit de Noel 1579, Mathieu Merle, chef des protestants cevenois, s'avanca vers Mende, a la feveur des tenebres, s'empara de la ville par trabison, y massacra 400 pretres ou fideles, la plupart, dans l'enceinte meme de la cathedrale."
^Henri Bourrillon et Émile Peytavin, organisent la résistance lozérienne, principalement depuis Mende, Félix Buffière, Ce tant rude Gévaudan, tome II p.1613
^"Lozère Nouvelle"(PDF)., 5 January 2007, p.27, " la Lozère reste la meilleure élève de la région ". Les deux sources précédentes montrent le poids des lycées mendois en Lozère
^"Dossier de l'Express".. In terms of overall assessment of high school, of 1871 general schools, the lycée Chaptal is 760th and the lycée Notre-Dame is 679th
^Reprise d'un articleArchived 2012-03-19 at theWayback Machine du Midi Libre en octobre 2004, expliquant comment la mairie éprouvait des difficultés pour trouver un lieu de culte
^In the Lozère Nouvelle of 30 May 2008 (page 5), Alain Bertrand (nouveau maire de la ville) déclarait qu'il a " toujours dit qu'il veillerait à ce que les musulmans aient un lieu de culte digne ", cependant il déclarait aussi qu'il ne l'avait " en aucun cas prévu à Fontanilles ".
Bardy, Benjamin (1973).Mende [Mende] (in French). Ingersheim: Éditions SAEP.
Un siècle d'images mendoises [A century of mendoises pictures] (in French). 1974.
Marcillac, Sylvain; Salles, Jean-François (1996).Guetteurs du temps : la basilique cathédrale de Mende [Lookouts of the time: the Cathedral Basilica of Mende] (in French). Mende: ARACAM.
Taillefer, Didier (2003).Mende : 2000 ans d'histoire [Mende: 2000 years of history] (in French). Toulouse: Editions Privat.ISBN2-70899-718-1.
Les campagnes de Mende, les communes rurales des cantons de Mende [Mende countryside, the rural communes of the cantons of Mende] (in French). Lyon: Éditions Lieux-dits. 2007.ISBN978-2914528368. Inventory of heritage, southern France.
Desdouits, Michel; Laurans, Alain (17 October 2023).Mende-en-Gévaudan [Mende-en-Gévaudan] (in French). Alan Sutton.ISBN978-2842535384.
Bunel, Claude (1954).Bulletin de la Société des lettres, sciences et arts de la Lozère [Bulletin of the Society of the letters, sciences and arts of the Lozère] (in French).
Barbot, Dr. Marcel (1958).Les siècles obscurs de la primitive histoire de Mende [The obscure centuries of the primitive history of Mende] (in French).
Remize (1910).Saint Privat, martyr, évêque du Gévaudan, IIIe siècle [Saint Privat, martyr, Bishop of Gévaudan, 3rd century] (in French). Mende.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
André, Auguste (1931).La Bête du Gévaudan [The beast of Gévaudan] (in French). Mende: H. Chaptal.
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