Gray, Haute-Saône

French commune
nomcommune=Gray


caption=Gray's Town hall


x=197
y=114
lat_long=coord|47|26|42|N|5|35|32|E|region:FR_type:city
insee=70279
cp=70100
région=Franche-Comté
département=Haute-Saône
arrondissement=Vesoul
canton=Gray (chief town)
maire=
mandat=
alt mini=187 m
alt maxi=249 m
km²=20.26
sans=6,773
date-sans=1999
dens=334|

Gray is a town, a commune, in the eastern French "département" of Haute-Saône.

Geography

Gray is situated on the banks of the Saône River. It is the last major town in Franche-Comté before the Saône flows into Burgundy.

History

It was, since the Middle Ages, an important river port, the main trading center in Franche-Comté.

Gray is believed to have acquired its name from an old landed estate in its vicinity owned by a family with Gallo-Roman origins bearing the name "Gradus", cognate with the Celtic "Grady" meaning "illustrious" or "noble".

Demographics

As of the census of 1999, the population was formatnum:6773.

ights

The town includes many old buildings. An 18th century stone bridge spans the Saône river, connecting the main town with the settlement of Arc les Gray. Gray is a popular place for fishing and various water activities.

Gray's Basilica (Basilique Notre Dame) was built from 1478 to 1559, with a bell tower typical of Franche-Comté.

An art museum, the Musée Château Baron Martin, is housed in the Château of the Count of Provence, brother of Louis XVI, which in the 18th century replaced the fortress belonging to the Dukes of Burgundy. The 12th century "Paravis Tower" is the last remnant of the fortress and offers a panoramic view of the Saône Valley. The museum displays some 1200 pieces of art from the 15th to the 20th century throughout 24 rooms.

The Carmelite chapel (Chapelle des Carmelites) was built in 1667. Since 1978, it has held eight centuries of sacred art in Haute-Saone, including paintings, sculptures, and religious objects.

Gray is the site of France's National Esperanto Museum.

ee also

*Communes of the Haute-Saône department

References

* [http://www.insee.fr/en/home/home_page.asp INSEE] en icon
* [http://www.ign.fr/rubrique.asp?rbr_id=1&lng_id=EN IGN] en icon