Nantilly
Statistics
Area: 10km²
Population: Approx. 511 inhabitants (2004)
Pop. Density: 51.1 people / km²
Altitude: 192m (mini) – 243m (maxi)
Geography
Nantilly is a french commune situated in the department of Haute-Saône in the region of Franche-Comté. Close to the borders of Burgundy and Champagne-Ardenne it is in the centre of a square formed by Besançon, Dijon, Dole and Langres – each around 50km away. The village rests in a small valley (valley of the Soufroide) and the Saône river is just 5km away.
History
Evidence of Gallo-Roman constructions have been found in the locality known as 'champ de messe'. In the middle-ages Nantilly did not have a Lord, only a few peasant properties existed. The first Lord of Nantilly was the Lord of Beaumont and Autrey in 926. The village is mentioned in 1055 when it was given over to the ruling of the Abbey of Bèze. In 1526 the inhabitants of Nantilly presented a request for their freedom from the rule of the Abbey but this was not granted until 1622. In 1569 the village was completely plundered then burned by the troops of the Duke of Deux-Ponts.
In 1595 Ferdinand of Valesco travelled the road of the Dukes of Burgundy, passing through Nantilly where he camped on the hill of Bouchot (ancient quarry of Nantilly noted for its remarkable and particular flora). He fought with, and was beaten by, Henri IVth on the 5th June at Fontaine-Française. An inscription still exists, engraved on the front wall of a washhouse in Fontaine-Française, detailing the passage of Henri IVth.
In 1807 a fire destroyed, with alarming speed, all the houses in the northern part of the village.
Description of the village
The population is composed mainly of families who work in Gray or Arc-les-Gray. In the village there remain only 4 farms growing cereal crops even though dairy products are an important part of the economy in this region.
The village has a fire station, a post office and a primary school. The inhabitants are called 'Nantillais'.
Different elements of architecture are classed as protected like the wrought iron of the communion table in the church as well as that of the 'Nave's Gate' (porte de la nef). The recently renovated washhouse, situated on the road to Poyans, noted by the Architect of the Buildings of France, is also protected.
Unfortunately it's interior is not available for viewing by the public.
INFORMATION TAKEN AND TRANSLATED FROM A FRENCH ARTICLE ON WIKIPEDIA UNDER 'COMMUNE DE LA HAUTE SAONE'