Rodez

French commune
nomcommune=Rodez
The western façade of Rodez Cathedral
image_coat_of_arms=Rodez_F-120.jpg
image_coat_of_arms_size=80
région=Midi-Pyrénées
département=Aveyron
(préfecture")
arrondissement=Rodez
canton=Chief town of 3 cantons
insee=12202
cp=12000
maire=Christian Teyssèdre (PS)
mandat=2008-2014
intercomm=Grand Rodez
longitude=2.5750
latitude=44.3506
alt moy=627 m
alt mini=501 m
alt maxi=643 m
hectares=1,118
km²=11.18
sans=23,707
date-sans=1999
dens=2,120
date-dens=1999

Rodez (Occitan: "Rodés") is a city and commune in southern France, in the Aveyron "département", of which it is the "préfecture" (capital). Its inhabitants are called "les Ruthenois".

History

Existing from at least the 5th century BC, Rodez was founded by the Celts. After the Roman occupation, the "oppidum" (fortified place) was renamed "Segodunum", while in late Imperial times it was known as "Civitas Rutenorum", whence the modern name. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it was captured by the Visigoths and then by the Franks, being also ravaged by the Arabs in 725. Later it was occupied by the armies of the Dukes of Aquitaine and of the Counts of Toulouse. English troops occupied Rodez during the Hundred Years War.

However, in medieval times the city's history was marked by strong rivalry between the Counts and the Bishops of Rodez, who exerted their authorities in different sectors of the city, divided by a wall. The counts were able to defy the royal French authority until the submission of count John IV by the future King Louis XI in the 15th century. In the following century bishop François d'Estaing built the Rodez Cathedral.

The last count of Rodez, Henry VI of Rodez, who became Henry IV of France, sold his title to Royal Crown in 1589. The city remained a flourishing merchant centre up to the 18th century, but it lost much of its importance when Villefranche-de-Rouergue was made prefecture capital in the wake of the French Revolution.

Main sights

*The notable Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rodez. One of its features is a completely closed western wall, which was part of the city's defence wall.
*"Chapelle Saint-Martin".
*Historical and Archaeological Museum
*Church of "Saint-Amans" (12th century, rebuilt in 1758-1761). The interior is in Baroque style. In the choir are 6th century tapestries representing the miracles of Saint Amand. The interior houses also a 15th century "Pietà" and a statue of the Trinity (16th century).
*The Bishop's Palace.

Economy

Rodez is traditionally an agricultural trade center.

Transportation

Rodez is served by the nearby Rodez Marcillac Airport, located on the territory of the commune of Salles-la-Source.

Other

* Bernard Laporte was born in Rodez.
* Around 10 tourists a year make the mistake of travelling to Rodez when they intend to travel to Rhodes

Twin towns

*flagicon|GER Bamberg, Germany
*flagicon|ARG Pigüé, Argentina

ee also

*Rouergue
*Diocese of Rodez

External links

* [http://www.mairie-rodez.fr/ Official website] fr icon
* [http://www.segala.info/rodez/ A Tour of Rodez]
* [http://www.rodezairport.com/ Unofficial Guide to the Rodez Airport]