is a
Commune of the
Lot-et-Garonne ''
Département '', in southwestern
France .
Marmande is located 35 m. NW. of
Agen , on the Southern railway from
Bordeaux to
Sète . Marmande is situated at the confluence of the
Trec with the
Garonne on the right bank of the latter river, which is here crossed by a suspension bridge.
Marmande was a ''
Bastide '' founded about
1195 on the site of a more ancient town by
Richard Cœur De Lion , who granted it a liberal measure of self-government. Its position on the banks of the Garonne made it an important place of toll. It soon passed into the hands of the
Counts Of Toulouse , and was three times besieged and taken during the
Albigensian Crusade , its capture by
Amaury De Montfort in
1219 being followed by a massacre of the inhabitants. It was united to the French crown under
Louis IX . A short occupation by the English in
1447 , an unsuccessful siege by
Henry IV in
1577 and its resistance of a month to a division of
Wellington 's army in
1814 , are the chief events in its subsequent history.
Population in 1906: town 6373; commune, 9748.
Apart from the administrative offices, the only building of importance is the church of Notre-Dame, which dates from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. The graceful windows of the
Nave , the
Altarpiece of the 18th century, and in particular, the Renaissance cloister adjoining the south side, are its most interesting features.
According to the Encyclopædia Britannica ''Eleventh Edition'' (1911):
:Among the industries are iron-founding, steam sawing, the manufacture of woollens, carriage-making, cooperage and brandy-distilling. There is a large trade in wine, plums, cattle, grain and other agricultural produce.
Marmande was the birthplace of
François Combefis (
1605 -
1679 ),
Patrologist .
