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Benquet (French pronunciation: [bɛ̃kɛ]) is a commune in the Landes department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in southwestern France.[3]

Geography

Benquet is situated 5 miles (8 km) south of Mont-de-Marsan, at the confines of the Landes forest and of the agricultural region of Chalosse. It is 55 miles (89 km) from the Atlantic Ocean.

Neighboring cities are: Saint-Pierre-du-Mont, Bretagne-de-Marsan, Saint-Maurice-sur-Adour, Saint-Sever, Bas-Mauco, Haut-Mauco.

History

Benquet, belonging to the former royal province of Gascony, was under the rule of the abbey of Saint Sever. Jehan Bernard de Benquet, vassal of the prince of Navarre, had the title of Sénéchal of Marsan and of Gabardan. Fights with French Huguenots are reported here.

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1968 828—    
1975 1,039+3.30%
1982 1,154+1.51%
1990 1,240+0.90%
1999 1,291+0.45%
2009 1,471+1.31%
2014 1,618+1.92%
2020 1,878+2.51%
Source: INSEE[4]

Its inhabitants are called Benquetois in French.

Economy

Mostly corn-growing, breeding (ducks, geese), foie-gras making. Agri-foodstuff research center.

Twin cities

Benquet is the twin village of Muespach-le-Haut, on the German border. As a matter of fact, population from Alsace flew their region and found shelter in South-Western France when the Nazi troops arrived in the early stages of World War II.

Sights

Churches St John the Baptist (19th century) and Saint Christau (eleventh century). Benquet is a stopover on the medieval pilgrimage route to Santiago Compostela (route of Vézelay). Benquet boasts a the privately owned château de Laurens Castelet and a "miraculous" spring, close to the church of St Christau.

  • Château de Benquet
    Château de Benquet
  • 11th century church
    11th century church

King Henri IV had an elegant home in Benquet: the Château-Vieux lodge (no longer exists).

Religion and language

People are mostly Catholic. The official language is French. The Gascon language is still spoken by some elderly people on some occasions.

Recreational activities

Hunting (woodcocks, pheasants...) and fishing are very popular + walking (pilgrims to Santiago are still to be met), cycling, basketball playing.

Events

  • Music Festival Atout Choeurs : early May
  • Fair of Benquet : early July

See also

References

  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 2 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ INSEE commune file
  4. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE

External links

Previous stop
Saint Pierre-du-Mont 		Santiago Compostela pilgrimage

Via Lemovicensis 		Next stop
Saint-Sever


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