Leucate is located on the Mediterranean coast of France and is part of the eastern Corbières mountains and approximately 30 km south of the city of Narbonne. The population is approximately 3,850. It is popular with tourists and locals.
Françoise Cezelly was a French war hero who distinguished herself when the village of Leucate was besieged by Spanish forces allied with the Catholic League in 1590, after her husband, the governor, was executed by the enemy. After the battle, she was named Governor by King Henry IV until her son came of age. The original statue was created by the artist Paul Ducuing in 1899 and erected in the Place de la République in Leucate. In her hand she holds the keys to the village. In Mai 1942, by order of the Vichy government, the statue was taken down and with the bronze being sent to Germany. As the statue was being loaded onto the truck for removal, the hand holding the keys broke and fell off. It is safely preserved within the town hall. A new statue was erected on 17 Août, 1975.
22 Mai 1558 – 16 Octobre 1615
NOUS SOMMES TOUS CHARLIE!
The kind and charming shop keeper allowed me to take several photos inside her shop as well as outside. While I did manage to catch her in one, she did ask that I not post it so I must respect that being more than a bit camera shy myself.
The water sport area is on one end of the village and the beaches are on the other. I haven’t taken photos of the beach thinking that will be another post at a future date (another excuse to return!)
DON’T FORGET TO CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO SEE A LARGER SIZE!
JE SUIS CHARLIE!
Léa
found-in-france 
je connais bien… 🙂
* * *
je suis Charlie, aussi… ❤
https://myvirtualplayground.wordpress.com/2015/01/09/happy-74th-bday-joan-baez-merci-lady-liberty/
Merci beaucoup!
La marche de Sacco et Vanzetti was added to the list of songs for our choir to sing in our Spring concerts.
I’m sorry I missed that post but will go back and catch-up.
nous sommes tous Charlie!
What a beautiful village. And how wonderful to learn about an honored female hero, especially from centuries ago.
Yes, I am fortunate to have so many lovely villages and towns nearby. I couldn’t resist the addition of the hero. I also loved the fact that the hand holding the keys to the village refused to go to Germany to be melted down for weapons and is still available today.
Perhaps you can add Leucate to your list of places for future visits…
Maybe some day. 🙂
A fabulous post Lea that has brightened a horrible stormy day here, and very cold too.
What a fascinating story abut the keys. A shame they couldn’t put the old keys onto the new statue somehow, but maybe that’s just a silly idea of mine! 😄.
I almost felt I was there wandering through the village with you, stopping off, naturally,vor coffees!
And very topical too in the wake of the Paris shootings – very sad.
love xxx
It is very windy here Christine so I am keeping my wheezy self indoors so I won’t be wheezy. Yesterday was a lovely day, like today without the wind.
Yes, I had to throw in the bit about the keys. I know what you mean but I like that they have their place of honour as well.
Yes, I knew you were along with me yesterday so of course I HAD to stop for café… 🙂
Ah, yes, the murders were in Paris but it was all of France that was hit. Love xxx
Je suis Charlie
Love the statues–Françoise Cezelly is a name previously unknown to me–fab pics 🙂
Françoise Cezelly was a name I had not heard either Polly. However, coming face to face with the statue of course I had to know more. Once I read a bit about her, it had to go into the post. 🙂
Dear Charlie, (aka Lea), Your pictues have an intimate quality in them and they bring the town to life. Love David
Merci beaucoup ton ami!
Looks utterly charming!
It is a lovely small town! Thanks for stopping in for a visit! 🙂