Gray, Haute-Saône Explained

Gray
Commune Status:Commune
Image Coat Of Arms:Blason de Gray (Haute-Saône).svg
Coordinates:47.445°N 5.5922°W
Insee:70279
Postal Code:70100
Arrondissement:Vesoul
Canton:Gray
Mayor:Christophe Laurençot[1]
Term:2020 - 2026
Elevation Min M:187
Elevation Max M:249
Area Km2:20.26

Gray (in French pronounced as /ɡʁe/) is a commune in the Haute-Saône department, region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, eastern France.

Geography

Gray is situated on the banks of the river Saône. It is the last major town in Haute-Saône before the Saône flows into Côte-d'Or.

History

In the Middle Ages it was an important river port and trading center in Franche-Comté.

Gray is believed to have acquired its name from an old landed estate in its vicinity owned by a family with Gallo-Roman origins bearing the name "Gradus", a cognate of the Celtic "Grady" meaning "illustrious" or "noble".

Sights

The town includes many old buildings. An 18th century stone bridge spans the Saône river, connecting the main town with the settlement of Arc-lès-Gray. Gray is a popular place for fishing and various water activities.

Gray's Basilica (Basilique Notre Dame) was built from 1478 to 1559, with a bell tower typical of Franche-Comté.

An art museum, the Musée Château Baron Martin, is housed in the Château of the Count of Provence, brother of Louis XVI, which in the 18th century replaced the fortress belonging to the Dukes of Burgundy. The 12th century "Paravis Tower" is the last remnant of the fortress and offers a panoramic view of the Saône Valley. The museum displays some 1200 pieces of art from the 15th to the 20th century throughout 24 rooms.

The Carmelite chapel (Chapelle des Carmelites) was built in 1667. Since 1978, it has held eight centuries of sacred art in Haute-Saône, including paintings, sculptures, and religious objects.

Gray is the site of France's National Esperanto Museum.

Notable people

Transport

There is a bus station.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Répertoire national des élus: les maires. data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022. fr.
  2. Romé de l'Isle, Jean Baptiste Louis . 23 . 685 . 1.