Le Vivier

LE VIVIER

The Le Vivier is part of the canton of Sournia .

The village of Le Vivier owes its name to the existence of a reservoir where they once bred fish ( " vivarium " in Latin).Also adjacent to the old city walls , we can see the boundary wall of a large pool ( dating from the sixth or seventh century ) . In the north, the remains of Manor house that stilll overlooks the village and dates back to 1604. In the twelfth century, the Viscount of the Fenouilledes gave to a younger branch of the family of Counts of Narbonne branch stronghold of Le Vivier. The castle served as part of the defensive line of fortifications on the border of the kingdom of France. The influence of family Du Vivier remained strong until the French Revolution.

Downstream of the castle, in the center of a small valley, stands the Sainte- Eulalie pre-Romanesque church building (13th century). It was the parish church until 1646, when the castle church opened its doors to the villagers.

Finally, another must see bit of Le Viviers heritage is its beech tree, six hundred years old, called " Fajas En Baillette " . The majestic size of the tree merits its place among the oldest trees of Europe. It lies at the heart of the Vivier Forest, as is accessible by a hiking trail.

Today, Le Vivier remains a well preserved and popular place especially in summer when it hosts many social events : meals, petanque competitions and a traditional local festival .

Contact Town Hall

Mayor : Monique MARCEL

Postal address : 10, Rue principale

66730 LE VIVIER

Téléphone : 00(33)4 68 59 18 40

Fax : 00(33)4 68 59 18 40

E-mail address : mairiedelevivier@wanadoo.fr

Opening hours of the Town Hall

Monday : 10.00 am – 12 am

Tuesday : 10.00 am – 12 am

Wednesday : 10.00 am – 12 am

Thursday : 10.00 am – 12 am

Saturday : 10.00 am – 12 am

General information

Names of people : The Vivierol(e)s

Population : 86 people

Area : 1318 hectares

Places of interest to discover

Natural Heritage : Amazing old beech tree

Cultural Heritage : Tower and fortifications

Curiosities : Chapelle Sainte Eulalie, Sainte Eulalie Church

Special festivals and cultural events

Traditional festival : 11th November

Sainte Eulalie : 10th décember

Traditional National Festival : 14th July

Le Vivier village fete : 16th July

Saint Roch procession and party : 26th July

Practical Information

Public services : Town Hall

Accomodation : Gites

Shops : Baker : 9.30 am (Tuesday, Friday and Sunday)

Grocery : 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm (Tuesday)

Butcher : 9.00 am – 10.00 am (Wednesday)

Pork butcher : 11.00 am (Friday)

Organizations : Les Amis de Le Vivier (culture) ; Entertainment and events committee, Tennis club, hunting associations, Parish council

Activities, leisures : Tennis court, mini golf,picnic tables, hiking and biking trails.