Republic of Saugeais

The Republic of Saugeais ( _fr. La République du Saugeais) is a long-lived self-proclaimed micronation located in eastern France, in the département of Doubs. The republic comprises the 11 municipalities of Les Alliés, Arçon, Bugny, La Chaux-de-Gilley, Gilley, Hauterive-la-Fresse, La Longeville, Montflovin, Maisons-du-Bois-Lièvremont, Ville-du-Pont, and its capital Montbenoît.

In 1947, the prefect of the département of Doubs came to Montbenoît to attend an official event. The prefect had lunch in the Hôtel de l'Abbaye in Montbenoît, which was owned by Georges Pourchet. As a joke, Pourchet asked the prefect "Do you have a permit allowing you to enter the Republic of Saugeais?" The prefect asked for details on the mysterious republic, which Pourchet made up on the spot. The prefect responded by appointing Pourchet president of the Free Republic of Saugeais. Pourchet died in 1968 and his wife Gabrielle was elected president of the republic.

Since her election, President Gabrielle Pourchet has appointed a prime minister, general secretary, 12 ambassadors and more than 300 honorary citizens. A song written in local dialect by Joseph Botillon in 1910 was adopted as the republic's national anthem. A banknote was released in 1997, and the French Postal Service issued a postal stamp commemorating the republic in 1987.Fact|date=February 2007

See also

*Sealand - a notable micronation.
*Seborga - a self proclaimed principality on the French-Italian border.
*Tavolara - former microstate based on a small island near Sardinia.

Sources and external links

* [http://fotw.fivestarflags.com/fr-sauge.html#orig FOTW Flags Of The World website] featuring information on the flag of the republic.
* [http://www.otcm25.org/republique_du_saugeais.htm Montbenoît local government website] brief history of the Republic of Saugeais. fr icon