Last modified: 2024-11-16 by olivier touzeau
Keywords: chalon-sur-saone | saone-et-loire |
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![[Flag of Cluny]](../images/f/fr-71-cs.gif)
Flag of Cluny - Image by Olivier Touzeau, 30 March 2023
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Chalon-sur-Saône (45,031 inhabitants in 2021; 1,522 ha) is a city in the Saône-et-Loire department. It is a sub-prefecture an the largest city of the department.
The site was a capital of the Aedui (a gallic tribe). Later, as Gallo-Roman city, it served as a river port and hub of road communications. In 354 AD the Roman Emperor Constantius II stationed the Roman 7th Army in Chalon for an invasion against the brother kings, Gundomadus and Vadomarius of the Alamanni. However, not having received supplies, the Roman troops revolted, and were pacified by the grand chamberlain Eusebius with money. Saint Marcellus of Chalons (Saint Marcel) is said to have been martyred here in 179 AD.
Chalon became one of the de facto capitals of the kingdom of Burgundy under Guntram, king from 561 to 592, who died here. Guntram also promoted the cult of Saint Marcellus. The bishopric of Chalon-sur-Saône, a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Lyon, was established in the 6th century. After the French Revolution, the diocese of Chalon was amalgamated with the diocese of Autun.
Chalon in the 19th century is best known as the birthplace of photography, thanks to its most famous resident, Nicéphore Niépce. In the late 19th century, copper and iron works were the town's main industry. The large engineering works of Petit-Creusot, a branch of those of Le Creusot, manufactured heavy industrial items.
Olivier Touzeau, 30 March 2023
The flag is white with the full coat of arms: photo from this site (2020), photo (2021).
The arms of Chalon-sur-Saône are blazoned: Azure, three annulets Or,
the terrace in base Gules charged with the cross of the Legion of
Honor proper.
The ringlets would symbolize the three rows of bricks of the
Gallo-Roman enclosure of Cavillonum, to which was added the Legion of
Honor awarded by Napoleon I on May 22, 1815
Olivier Touzeau, 30 March 2023