Source-Seine

Source-Seine
Coat of arms
Source-Seine
Location within Burgundy region Source-Seine
Coordinates:
Country	France
Region	Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Department	Côte-d'Or
Arrondissement	Montbard
Canton	Venarey-les-Laumes
Intercommunality	Pays d'Alésia et de la Seine
Government
• Mayor (2009–2014)	Jean-Louis Bornier
Area1	16.41 km2 (6.34 sq mi)
Population (2008)2	50
• Density	3.0/km2 (7.9/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code	21551 / 21690
Elevation	354–523 m (1,161–1,716 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Source-Seine is a commune in the Côte-d'Or department in eastern France.

It was formed on 1 January 2009 when Saint-Germain-Source-Seine was fused with Blessey.

Geography

Source-Seine is located 30 kilometres (19 mi) northwest of Dijon.

True to its name, within Source-Seine is the source of the Seine, in woods off the D103 road approximately 2 km Southeast by east of the cluster of buildings in Saint-Germaine, or 3 km East by south of the cluster of buildings in Blessey. The Seine rises at an elevation of 470 metres (1,542 ft) in this wooded area, from waters in several closely clustered ditches/depressions. France's second-longest river (after the Loire), the Seine then flows 776 kilometres (482 mi) before it passes between the coastal communes of Le Havre and Honfleur, on the Normandy coast, into the English Channel.

History

What is now Source-Seine saw Gaulic pilgrimage beginning in the 1st century BC. In the late 4th century AD, Roman Emperor Theodosius I ordered the closure of pagan temples at the Seine's source and gave their property to Christian institutions. In accordance with this edict, in the 5th century the abbey of Sainte-Marie-de-Cestra, the closest religious institution to the Seine's source, received a donation from the Roman government.

In the 17th century, rumors of healing powers in the Seine were circulating around Paris. This led to the construction of a grotto dedicated to the Seine Nymph and financed by its residents in the 19th century. The city of Paris officially bought the source of the Seine in 1864. Modern times have seen a wave of coin throwers flocking to the river's source.

The commune of Source-Seine was formed on 1 January 2009 when Saint-Germain-Source-Seine was fused with Blessey.

Economy

The area around Source-Seine is noted for its wine.

See also

• Communes of the Côte-d'Or department

References

• INSEE