Candes-Saint-Martin

View over the Loire

Coat of arms

Candes-Saint-Martin

Location within Centre-Val de Loire region

Candes-Saint-Martin

Coordinates: 47°12′42″N 0°04′27″E / 47.2117°N 0.0742°ECoordinates: 47°12′42″N 0°04′27″E / 47.2117°N 0.0742°E

Country

Chinon

Government

• Mayor (2008–2014)

Lise Couëdy-Gruet

Area¹

5.77 km² (2.23 sq mi)

Population (2009)²

222

• Density

38/km² (100/sq mi)

Time zone

CET (UTC+1)

• Summer (DST)

CEST (UTC+2)

INSEE/Postal code

37042 /37500

Elevation

27–101 m (89–331 ft)

¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

²Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Candes-Saint-Martin (Latin: Candia Sanctus Martinus) is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France. It overlooks the confluence of the Vienne and Loire rivers from a steep hill on the left bank of the Loire, and marks the boundary between the modern departments of Indre-et-Loire to the east, and Maine-et-Loire to the West.

The name Candes is thought to derive from a Gallic word for confluence, and is found in several other similarly sited towns in the region; the termination Saint-Martin was formally added in 1949, although it had been in common usage for many years. Evidence of Gallo-Roman occupation was found in 19th century excavations, particularly in the grounds of the Bishop's Palace which crowns the hill.

The village takes its name - and its main claim to fame- from the magnificent church which has succeeded the 4th century monastery where St Martin, Bishop of Tours and 'Apostle to the Gauls', died in 397.

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Wikipedia