Libourne

Libourne (;  ) is a commune in the Gironde department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in southwestern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.

It is the wine-making capital of northern Gironde and lies near Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, both known for their wines.

History
Libourne was created as a bastide by Roger de Leybourne in 1270. The original name of Leybourne changed to the present Libourne. Its original aim was to be a port to ship wine of the Dordogne valley to England.

Geography
Libourne is at the confluence of the Isle and Dordogne rivers. The city is at about  from Bordeaux and  from Arcachon.

It has an area of , and its average altitude is ; at the city hall, the altitude is .

+ Libourne and its neighboring communes 350px|Map of the commune of Libourne

Libourne is surrounded by the communes Les Billaux, Lalande-de-Pomerol, Pomerol, Saint-Émilion, Moulon, Génissac, Arveyres, Fronsac and Saillans.

Climate
The climate of Libourne is Marine West Coast Climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfb), with mild winters and warm summers.

Population
The inhabitants of Libourne are known, in French, as Libournais (women: Libournaises).

With a population of 24,595, Libourne has a population density of  inhabitants/km2.

Evolution of the population in Libourne

Administration
Libourne is a sub-prefecture of the Gironde department since 1790. It is also the capital of the arrondissement of Libourne and the administrative centre () of the canton of Le Libournais-Fronsadais with 53,307 inhabitants (2014).:

It is part of the intercommunality Le Libournais ().

 Twin towns 
Libourne is twinned with:
   Morocco 
   Berne, Switzerland
  Morocco Casablanca, Morocco

Gallery

Related pages
 Arrondissement of Libourne
 Communes of the Gironde department

References

Other websites

 Ville de Libourne - Official site 
 Departamental Council of Gironde  
 Prefecture official website  
 Agence de Développement Touristique de la Gironde  
 Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine 

Category:Bastides
Category:Subprefectures in France
Category:Communes in Gironde
Category:Wine regions of France