Republic of Saugeais

Republic of Saugeais Micronation
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Dé san qu'y a dèz hounnous â mondou Since men were in the world
Anthem: Hymne du Saugeais ("Hymn of Saugeais") by Joseph Botillon, 1910
Status	Current
Location	Eastern France, on the Swiss border
Capital	Montbenoît
Official languages	French, Langue Saugette
Membership	11 municipalities
Organizational structure	Republic
• President	Georgette Bertin-Pourchet
Establishment
• Declared	1947
Area claimed
• Total	128 km2 (49 sq mi)
Population
• Estimate	4337
Purported currency	Saugeais Sol, Euro
Time zone	CET

The Republic of Saugeais (French: La République du Saugeais, pronounced: [so.ʒɛ]) 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.

Georges Pourchet died in 1968 and his wife Gabrielle initially succeeded as president. She retired in 1970 but remained active in Montbenoît, helping the parish priest to preserve the abbey. To raise funds, a festival was organised in 1972, during which Gabrielle Pourchet was elected President for life by acclamation.

President Gabrielle Pourchet appointed a prime minister, a general secretary, twelve ambassadors and more than 300 honorary citizens. A song written in the Langue Saugette, a Franco-Provençal 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.