Aire-sur-l'Adour explained

Aire-sur-l'Adour (pronounced as /fr/; oc|Aira d'Ador or simply Occitan (post 1500);: Aira, before 1962: Aire)^[2] is a commune in the Landes department, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, southwestern France.

It lies on the river Adour in the wine area of southwest France. It is an episcopal see of the Diocese of Aire and Dax. The nearest large towns are Mont-de-Marsan to the north and Pau to the south.

History

Aire (Atura, Vicus Julii) once was the residence of the kings of the Visigoths. Here in 506 Alaric II drew up his code, the Breviarium Alaricianum.

Famed Spanish bullfighter Iván Fandiño died at the Arènes Maurice-Lauche in Aire-sur-l'Adour after being gored by a bull on 17 June 2017.

Sights

• Aire Cathedral, built in the 11th century but renovated in the 14th and 17th centuries.
• The Gothic church of Sainte-Quitterie is dedicated to Saint Quiteria, who, according to Christian tradition, was beheaded here in the fifth century. This church is on the pilgrimage route called the Way of St. James.

Personalities

• Pierrette Le Pen, mother of Marine Le Pen and ex-wife of Jean-Marie Le Pen
• Florian Cazalot, rugby union player, born 1985 in Aire-sur-l'Adour

Twin towns

• Castro-Urdiales, Spain

External links

• History of CNES base devoted to launch stratospheric balloons
• Image of city's cathedral

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. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/jo/id/JORFCONT000000017711 Décret du 3 avril 1962 portant changement de noms de communes