Machecoul

The commune of Machecoul is surrounded by the following communes: • in Loire-Atlantique: Bourgneuf-en-Retz, Fresnay-en-Retz, Saint-Même-le-Tenu, Saint-Mars-de-Coutais, Saint-Lumine-de-Coutais, Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu, La Marne, Paulx • in Vendée: Bois-de-Céné. ==Population==

Its inhabitants are called Machecoulais in French. ==Sights==

• Gallo-Roman Wood Lighthouse ("Phare à Bois"). • 8th-century Merovingian sarcophagi. • Many old mills. • 11th-century Notre-Dame-de-la-Chaume abbey. • Former 13th-century Romanesque church. • La Trinité church (1881). • 11th-century Cahouët Bridge ("Pont de Cahouët"), wrongly called the "Roman Bridge" ("Pont Romain") – it does not date from Roman times. Small bridge over the river Falleron. • Castle of Machecoul, also known as "Castle of Gilles de Rais" ("Château de Gilles de Rais") or "Bluebeard's castle" ("Château de Barbe-Bleue"): close to the town centre are the ruins of the 13th-century castle of the town, once owned by the infamous child-murderer Gilles de Rais ( 1405 – 1440). Nowadays, on summer evenings, one can partake of a son et lumière show telling his story. • The "Auditoire" (18th-century). A former court's main hall (central part), which was built in 1755. • The Lime Kiln ("Four à Chaux") (1857). Located on Saint-Michel Island, rich in limestone. Restored in 2001. • Les Halles (1885). • The Hippodrome des Chaumes (1885). • The former Segin Distillery (1886). ==Economy==

On the edge of town is the Gitane bicycle factory. Fans of the Tour de France will recall the Breton cyclist Bernard Hinault riding for them in the 1970s. Machecoul has a weekly street market where one can buy roasted poulet noir, the black chicken of Challans. ==Twin towns==

Machecoul is twinned with: • Ühlingen-Birkendorf, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; • Shifnal, Shropshire, United Kingdom; • Valea Drăganului, Transylvania, Romania. ==People==

Machecoul was the birthplace of: • Gilles de Rais ( 1405 – 1440), noble, soldier, and one time brother-in-arms of Joan of Arc. He was later accused and ultimately convicted of torturing, raping and murdering dozens, if not hundreds, of young children, mostly boys. • Marc Daviaud (born 1958), retired French professional footballer • Marc Éliard (born 1958), bass player of the new wave/rock band Indochine. • Cédric Michaud (born 1976), marathon speed skater. • Mickaël Landreau (born 1979), professional football (soccer) player. ==See also==