Varennes-sur-Allier

Varennes-sur-Allier is a commune in the Allier department in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in central France.

Varennes-sur-Allier
Commune
A view within Varennes-sur-Allier
Coat of arms
Location of Varennes-sur-Allier
Varennes-sur-Allier
Varennes-sur-Allier
Coordinates: 46°18′47″N 3°24′08″E
CountryFrance
RegionAuvergne-Rhône-Alpes
DepartmentAllier
ArrondissementVichy
CantonSaint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule
IntercommunalityVarennes Forterre
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Roger Litaudon[1]
Area
1
24.1 km2 (9.3 sq mi)
Population
 (2017-01-01)[2]
3,561
 • Density150/km2 (380/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
03298 /03150
Elevation228–292 m (748–958 ft)
(avg. 248 m or 814 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

History

In 52BC during the Gallic Wars lived by Julius Caesar, Vercingetorix crossed the river Elave (moderne Loire), and started marching up and down the banks of the river Loire, mirroring Caesar's movements and destroying all the bridges to keep him from crossing, the purpose presumably being to destroy part of his force as he attempted to cross. Realizing Vercingetorix's plan, Caesar resolved to trick him and cross under his very nose.[3]

Caesar one night camped near the town of Varennes,[3] where there had previously been a bridge before Vercingetorix had destroyed it. That night, he divided his force into two parts, one part being 2/3rds of the force, the other being 1/3rd of the force. He ordered the larger force to march in 6 corps, as if it were in fact the full corps.[3] He then ordered it to continue its march south. Vercingetorix, duped, took the bait and followed this part of the force.

Caesar, with the two legions still present at Varennes, speedily rebuilt the bridge that had been present there. He then sent for the other force, which during that next day stole a march on Vercingetorix, and completed a junction with the original force, and crossed the rebuilt bridge.[3] Realizing that he had been duped, Vercingetorix set out south, to beat Caesar to Gergovia.

Population
Historical population
YearPop.±%
19624,020—    
19684,712+17.2%
19754,907+4.1%
19824,751−3.2%
19904,413−7.1%
19994,072−7.7%
20083,750−7.9%
20133,554−5.2%
Source: INSEE (1968–2013)

See also

References
  1. "Liste nominative des communes de l'Allier" [Nominative list of communes of Allier] (PDF) (in French). Association of Mayors and Presidents of Communities of Allier. 8 July 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  2. "Populations légales 2017". INSEE. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  3. Dodge, Theodore Ayrault (2006-07-19). Cæsar – a history of the art of war among the Romans down to the end of the Roman Empire ... – Theodore Ayrault Dodge – Google eBookstore. Retrieved 2011-11-11.


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