Abrest

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox French commune |name = Abrest |commune status = [[Communes of France|Commune]] |image = Abrest façade mairie 2013-09-01.JPG |caption = Town hall in September 2013 |image coat of arms = |arrondissement = Vichy |canton = Vichy-2 |INSEE = 03001 |postal code = 03200 |mayor = Romain Lopez<ref>{{cite web |title=Liste nominative des communes de l'Allier |url=https://maires-allier.fr/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/LISTE-NOMINATIVE-DES-COMMUNES-DE-LALLIER-AVEC-LE-NOM-DES-MAIRES-MAJ-DU-03-04-2026.pdf |website=maires-allier.fr |publisher=Association of Mayors and Presidents of Intercommunalities of Allier |access-date=29 April 2026 |language=French |format=PDF |date=3 April 2026 |trans-title=Nominative list of communes of Allier}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Répertoire national des élus: les maires|url=https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/2876a346-d50c-4911-934e-19ee07b0e503|website=data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises|date=5 May 2026|language=fr}}</ref> |term = 2026–32 |intercommunality = CA [[Vichy Communauté]] |coordinates = {{coord|46.0994|3.4453|format=dms|display=inline,title}} |elevation m = 260 |elevation min m = 251 |elevation max m = 434 |area km2 = 10.46 |population = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}} |population date = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}} |population footnotes = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}} |website = [https://www.abrest.fr abrest.fr] |demonym = Abrestois, Abrestoises }}

'''Abrest''' ({{IPA|fr|abʁɛ}}; {{langx|oc|Abrèt}}) is a [[Communes of France|commune]] in the [[Allier]] [[Departments of France|department]] in the [[Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes]] region of central [[France]].

The commune is one of the 37 communes in the urban area of [[Vichy]] and is also part of Vichy Auvergne countryside.

== Geography == === Location === Abrest is located about {{convert|3|km|mi}} south of [[Vichy]] and {{convert|4|km|mi}} north of [[Saint-Yorre]]. The commune straddles the [[Allier (river)|Allier River]] with the river forming the western boundary of the commune in the southern portion. Departmental road 131 traverses some hamlets of the commune on the west bank of the Allier while departmental road 906e (former D906): ''Avenue de Vichy'' and ''Avenue de Thiers'' is on the east bank and passes through the centre of the town from Vichy to Saint-Yorre. The commune also contains Mount Bourbon and Bourbon Lamagne.

=== Localities and Hamlets === * Right Bank: ''Abrest'', ''Quinssat'', ''Les Béarnais'', ''Les Dollots'', ''Les Jacquets'', ''Les Rémondins'', ''Les Chaussins'', ''Les Séjournins''. * Left Bank: ''La Sablière'', ''La Boire'', ''La Tour'', ''Les Sables''.

=== Neighbouring Communes and Villages === {{Geographic location |width=auto |Centre = Abrest |North = [[Vichy]] |Northeast = [[Le Vernet, Allier|Le Vernet]] |East = [[La Chapelle, Allier|La Chapelle]] |Southeast = [[Arronnes]] |South = [[Saint-Yorre]] |Southwest = [[Hauterive, Allier|Hauterive]] |West = [[Serbannes]] |Northwest = [[Bellerive-sur-Allier]] }} <ref name=Google>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Abrest/@46.0898994,3.4531407,6219m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x47f6cc3e8b3ae9c3:0x4093cafcbebcb70?hl=en Google Maps]</ref>

=== Communications === ==== Roads ==== [[File:Abrest D 906 mairie direction Thiers 2013-09-01.JPG|thumb|alt=The Town Hall and Highway D906|The Abrest Town Hall with its bus stop for Line D at the left and towards Saint-Yorre to the right in September 2013.]] The town is traversed by the D906e (former D906) road which links [[Le Puy-en-Velay]], [[Thiers, Puy-de-Dôme|Thiers]], [[Puy-Guillaume]], and [[Saint-Yorre]] to [[Vichy]] which is the main axis of movement. Historically this road was National Highway 106 from [[Nimes]] to [[Saint-Gérand-le-Puy]]. This route is heavily used by trucks, so could be described as a problematic area.

The town is far from any motorway: the [[A719 autoroute|A719 motorway]] (which enables access to the A71) is {{convert|20|km|mi}} to the west and the A89 motorway (junction ''Thiers-West'') is {{convert|30|km|mi}} away.

The Southwest Bypass (''{{lang|fr|contournement sud-ouest}}''), which aims to divert the flow of heavy vehicles, will be opened in 2016.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Ducros|first1=Jean-Pierre|title=Peut-être fini en 2016 « sauf aléas "|trans-title=Perhaps finished in 2016 if nothing unexpected happens|journal=La Montagne|date=2014-03-03|language=fr}}</ref>

;Departmental roads traversing the territory of the commune are: * D426 from Vichy to Abrest via ''ZA de la Croix Saint-Martin'' and the camp ground; * D126 from Cusset to Abrest via ''Côte Saint-Amand''; * D131 from Vichy to Hauterive (along the left bank) serving the business area La Tour; * D175 from Cusset to the D43 (63) via ''Le Vernet'' and ''Busset'' along the commune border with [[Le Vernet, Allier|Le Vernet]], accessible from the Quinssat road.

==== Public transports ==== Abrest is served by two of the nine lines of the transit network [[MobiVie]]:

* '''Route D''' serves the right bank (camp ground, Stadium of Graviers, the Castle, Town Hall, and the Biernets district) and runs from Monday to Saturday with four outbound and five return trips per day. * '''Route G''' serves the left bank (district and industrial area of ''La Tour'' and ''Les Sables'') and runs from Monday to Saturday with five runs per day. * '''Custom MobiVie''' is a transport service on demand which is available to connect with routes B and D on the right bank, and routes B and C on the left bank.

Only the Dollots district in the south is served by the [[TER]] between Vichy and [[Peschadoires|Pont-de-Dore]], [[Thiers, Puy-de-Dôme|Thiers]], and [[Arlanc]] (6 daily round trips). This service also runs on Sundays and holidays (3 return trips).

Route 55 (Vichy-[[Châteldon]]-[[Puy-Guillaume]]) of the Transdôme network serves Abrest (one round trip per day and two during the school year) serves the town centre and Dollots.<ref>[http://www.puy-de-dome.fr/fileadmin/user_upload/LR55.pdf Timetable of Line 55], General Council of Puy-de-Dôme {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

==== Cycling ==== There are no cycle routes in right bank of Allier and no bicycle parkings.

==== Rail ==== [[File:Entrée nord galerie d'Abrest 2014-09-20.JPG|thumb|alt=Tunnel entrance|Tunnel entrance passing under the town]] The commune has no railway station but it is traversed by two railway lines: * [[Vichy–Riom railway]]; * [[Saint-Germain-des-Fossés–Darsac railway]] (freight traffic only).

=== Urban Planning === Between 2008 and 2010, the development of Highway D906 was conducted in two phases under a communal contract for construction of the town:<ref>{{cite journal|title=Town Planning: 1 million for VVA|journal=VVA Magazine|date=June 2010|issue=15|page=15|language=fr}}</ref>

Firstly, in 2008 with the creation of a {{convert|30|km/h|mph}} zone<ref group="Note">Since 2008, the speed was limited to {{convert|30|km/h|mph}} without any special enactment.</ref> and road humps with a pedestrian crossing and secondly in 2009-2010, the development of the D906 road to the right of the town hall.<ref group="Note">This development was followed by: * a complete reconstruction of the roadway, * the implementation of road humps to slow the traffic at the pedestrian crossing (2009) followed by a flattened road hump beside the town hall about 70 metres long to assist pedestrians crossing the road (2009) * the change to the ''{{lang|fr|Place des Anciens-Combattants}}'' (transformation of the parking to 4 minute stops) * the replacement of traffic lights (2010) * the creation of a parking area with four spaces including one for disabled people in the adjoining the next building.</ref> The development has not altered the quality of the road: in some places the road has deteriorated due to the passage of heavy trucks, which can not take any other route.

=== Geology === The city is listed as a ''zone of low seismicity'' as are the majority of communes in the department.<ref>Légifrance, JORF, DEVP0823374D, Decree No. 2010-1255 of 22 October 2010 for defining the level of seismicity in French territory {{in lang|fr}}</ref> Its neighbouring communes, with the exception of [[Brugheas]], are listed at the same level.

== History == The name of the commune in the form of ''ABRET'' (Latin ''arbor'' meaning "tree") was mentioned for the first time in 1301 in the Dictionary of Mr. Chazaud.<ref>Father Michel Peynot ''History of Saint-Yorre'', Ed. Res Universalis {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

Abrest was formerly a [[parish]] in the [[diocese of Clermont]]. It was fortified at the end of the 16th century and the current commune lies on both banks of the [[Allier]]. This is quite unusual because in general important rivers tend to serve as communal boundaries.

At the highest point is an old castle called ''Hurlevants'' with a view across the Allier valley and the mountains of Auvergne. The Chaussins Castle dates from the 15th century. The construction of the church dates from 1793, and as for the Town Hall, it was built in 1886.<ref>[http://www.ville-abrest.com/130_Historique-Abrest.html Historic of Abrest] {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

=== Activities in the commune === '''Wine:''' The commune was one of the main localities of the former ''wine coast'' along with [[Le Vernet, Allier|Le Vernet]], [[Creuzier-le-Vieux]] and to a lesser extent, [[Saint-Yorre]] and [[Cusset]].

Jacques François Chomel in his ''Treatise of mineral water and baths of Vichy'', appeared at Clermont in 1734 and wrote: "The wine in Vichy is good, the slopes of Abret [Abrest], of Crotte [extinct village located at the site of the Ailes district], Longevigne, the vintage of Celestins, of [[Ris, Puy-de-Dôme|Ris]], of [[Châteldon]] on the other side of the river Grave-la-rama [a place where Bellerive is currently], all these wines are good and are available in Paris."

The vineyards lasted until the early 20th century.

The small village of Biernets (which was written "Biernay" in the 18th century) was the most important wine village of the commune. There was a high proportion of vintners in the population (up to 70% of the population in 1750, as well as related activities such as cooperage).

The peak of the grape harvests was in the middle of the 19th century. Much of the slopes of Saint-Amand and Dollots hill were covered with vines.

The ''{{lang|fr|Rue des Vignes}}'' (Vines Street) and the ''{{lang|fr|Rue du Baril}}'' (Barrel street) are remnants of this activity.

Today, the vineyards have not completely disappeared, grapes are still cultivated a little in some places (2-3 family vineyards).

'''Port:''' Abrest was a small port on the right bank of the Allier. The ''{{lang|fr|impasse du Vieux-Port}}'' (Cul-de-sac of the Old Port) still bears witness. This port probably lived on a heavy traffic of wine.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Tixer|first1=G.|title=Abrest Yesterday and Today}}</ref>

== Politics and Administration == {{incomplete list|date=April 2021}} '''List of Successive Mayors of Abrest'''<ref>[http://www.francegenweb.org/mairesgenweb/resultcommune.php?id=20611 List of Mayors of France] {{in lang|fr}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- ! From !! To !! Name !! Party |- | 1995 || 2009 || René Boisset || [[Socialist Party (France)|PS]] |- | 2009 || 2014 || Christian Boch || [[Miscellaneous left|DVG]] |- | 2014 || July 2020 || Patrick Montagner|| [[Miscellaneous left|DVG]] then [[Miscellaneous right|DVD]] |- | July 2020 || Current || Romain Lopez<ref>{{cite web |title=Liste nominative des communes de l'Allier |trans-title=Nominative list of communes of Allier |url=http://www.maires-allier.fr/sites/site03.innogam.fr/files/LISTE%20NOMINATIVE%20DES%20COMMUNES%20DE%20L%27ALLIER%20MAJ%2008.07.2020.pdf |website=maires-allier.fr |publisher=Association of Mayors and Presidents of Communities of Allier |access-date=29 July 2020 |page=1 |language=fr |date=8 July 2020 |archive-date=4 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004083439/http://www.maires-allier.fr/sites/site03.innogam.fr/files/LISTE%20NOMINATIVE%20DES%20COMMUNES%20DE%20L%27ALLIER%20MAJ%2008.07.2020.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> || |- |}

=== Commune budget === Budget was in 2011:<ref>{{cite journal|title=The rate of tax revenue increases|journal=La Montagne|date=2011-05-16|page=11}}</ref> €1,526,546 in investment and €1,827,154 in fonctionnement.

== Population and Society == Its inhabitants are called ''Abrestois'' or ''Abrestoises'' in French.<ref>{{cite web|title=Abrest|url=https://www.ville-abrest.com/|language=fr|access-date=12 June 2017|archive-date=16 December 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121216141720/http://www.ville-abrest.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Demographic change ===

{{Historical populations | align = none | cols = 2 | percentages = pagr | source = EHESS (1793-1999)<ref name=ehess>{{Cassini-Ehess|75|Abrest}}</ref> and INSEE<ref name=pophist>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/8643952?geo=COM-03001#tableau-POPREF_G1 Population municipale entre 1968 et 2023], INSEE</ref> |1793 |751 |1800 |957 |1806 |822 |1821 |828 |1831 |820 |1836 |845 |1841 |906 |1846 |903 |1851 |876 |1856 |866 |1861 |860 |1866 |919 |1872 |913 |1876 |887 |1881 |868 |1886 |875 |1891 |834 |1896 |803 |1901 |829 |1906 |806 |1911 |875 |1921 |896 |1926 |1036 |1931 |1300 |1936 |1210 |1946 |1311 |1954 |1479 |1962 |1874 |1968 |2026 |1975 |2248 |1982 |2309 |1990 |2544 |1999 |2428 |2007 |2591 |2012 |2794 |2017 |2931 |2023 |2915 }}

=== Distribution of Age Groups === '''Percentage Distribution of Age Groups in Abrest and Allier Department in 2017''' {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! !! colspan=2 | Abrest !! colspan=2 | Allier |- ! Age Range !! Men !! Women !! Men !! Women |- | 0 to 14 Years || 19.4 || 19.4 || 16.1 || 14.5 |- | 15 to 29 Years || 12.1 || 13.1 || 15.5 || 12.8 |- | 30 to 44 Years || 21.0 || 20.3 || 16.4 || 15.6 |- | 45 to 59 Years || 21.2 || 18.7 || 21.1 || 20.1 |- | 60 to 74 Years || 18.7 || 18.3 || 20.2 || 20.9 |- | 75 to 89 Years || 6.8 || 9.3 || 9.7 || 13.5 |- | 90 Years+ || 0.9 || 0.8 || 1.0 || 2.6 |} Source: [[Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques|INSEE]]<ref>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4515315?geo=COM-03001 Évolution et structure de la population en 2017: Commune d'Abrest (03001)]</ref><ref>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4515315?geo=DEP-03 Évolution et structure de la population en 2017: Département de l'Allier (03)]</ref>

== Economy == === Employment === There were 1,775 people aged between 15 and 64 years in 2017 in the commune, of which 1,334 (75.2%) were active. 138 people (10.4% of the active population) were unemployed.<ref name="complet">[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2011101?geo=COM-03001 Dossier complet: Commune d'Abrest (03001)], [[INSEE]], retrieved 10 September 2020</ref>

{| class="wikitable centre" style="font-size: 90%; text-align: center;" |+Distribution of the labor force and employment by socio-professional category in 2017 (INSEE<ref name="complet" />) ! scope="col" | ! scope="col" width="15%" | Agricultural Workers ! scope="col" width="15%" | Artisans, Shopkeepers, Business owners ! scope="col" width="15%" | Executives and Intellectuals ! scope="col" width="15%" | Middle Managers ! scope="col" width="15%" | Employees ! scope="col" width="15%" | Workers |- ! scope="row" | Active Population | 10 || 86 || 156 || 333 || 444 || 343 |- ! scope="row" | Employed Active People | 10 || 86 || 151 || 313 || 394 || 293 |- ! scope="row" | No. of Jobs | 10 || 61 || 113 || 220 || 196 || 284 |}

85% of people who have a job work outside the commune of residence.<ref name="complet" />

=== Businesses in the town === The commune of Abrest has a dozen companies in the business zone, ''ZA de la Tour'', on the left bank of the Allier.

Businesses in the commune are:<ref>''Panorama of Entreprises'', 2011 edition, supplement of the ''TV Magazine'' in the magazine ''La Montagne'' of 13 February 2011.</ref> *Industrial: [[Ligier]] Automobiles, SAEB - Old established Barber, [[Brooks Instrument]]; *Construction: Paving Auvergne, SOPROMECO, Guelpa, Great Central Dredging, CMV ROSSIGNOL, Industrial Constructions - Cosinus *Trade: Gedimat, Ulimed *Services: NSE Services, RLD 1 - Vichy.

At the end of 2015, there were 212 establishments in the commune of Abrest, 161 (76%) of which were individual enterprises. 51 establishments had employees.<ref name=complet/>

== Culture and heritage ==

=== Civil heritage === [[File:Abrest Château des Chaussins.jpg|thumb|Chateau of Chaussins]] [[File:Abrest - Monument commémoratif 20100726.JPG|thumb|Abrest War memorial, Jean-Moulin Square]]

The commune has one building that is registered as a historical monument: * The '''Chateau des Chaussins''' (14th century){{Mérimée Icon}}<ref>Ministry of Culture, Mérimée {{Mérimée|PA00092966|PA00092966 Chateau des Chaussins}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

;Other sites of interest: * '''Remains of a chateau'' in the town: the dovecote tower, partly rebuilt in the 19th century. * The '''Chateau de Quinssat''' from the 17th century * The '''Medieval tower of Maubet'''. Mentioned in the 13th century.

=== Religious heritage === [[File:Abrest - Église 20100726.JPG|thumb|Abrest Church]] * The '''Church of Abrest'''. Originally a Gothic church, it was almost entirely rebuilt in the 19th century. * The '''Old parish church''' of the [[Diocese of Clermont]], fortified at the end of the 16th century.

=== Environmental heritage === * [[Parc floral et arboré de la Chènevière|Chènevière Floral and Forest Park]]

== Facilities == Since early 2006, the town has had a community centre and a municipal library located on the ''{{lang|fr|Avenue des Graviers}}'' - on the sloping part of the D426 - with 28 parking spaces, two for people with disabilities and reduced mobility.

The multi-purpose hall located on the right bank was rebuilt and renovated in 2009 and named ''Camille Claudel''.

=== Education === The city has one public primary school located on the rue de Treuil and rue de la Croix (the development was secured in 2006 on two streets with 30 km/h zone and 1 + 3 speed humps, and in 2015).

=== Cultural events and festivities === Since 2001, the town of Abrest has organised an organic fair in May or June.

Every year in November, the communal staff of Abrest organize a traditional toy market.

=== Sports === Abrest has a football stadium, the ''Stade des Graviers'', and a club: the ''US Abrest'' which creates promotions for the departmental district.

=== Notable People linked to the commune === * '''Louis Justin Marie''', the last Marquis of Talaru Marquis and owner of the Chateau de Chaussins before the [[French Revolution]] * '''André de Soixon''' was an important figure in Abrest. He lived a part of his life there and helped to develop the village, including rebuilding houses and helping the villagers. André de Soixon was of provincial gentry.

== See also == * [[Communes of the Allier department]]

=== External links === * [https://www.abrest.fr/ Abrest official website] {{in lang|fr}} * [http://data.bnf.fr/15244020/abrest__allier__france_/ Abrest on the BNF website] {{in lang|fr}} * [http://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/accueil?c=3.4453,46.0944&z=7.92265E-5&l=GEOGRAPHICALGRIDSYSTEMS.MAPS.3D$GEOPORTAIL:OGC:WMTS@aggregate(1)&l=ADMINISTRATIVEUNITS.BOUNDARIES$GEOPORTAIL:OGC:WMTS(1)&permalink=yes Abrest on Géoportail], [[Institut géographique national|National Geographic Institute]] (IGN) website {{in lang|fr}} * [http://rumsey.geogarage.com/maps/cassinige.html?lat=46.0944&lon=3.4453&zoom=13 ''Abret'' on the 1750 Cassini Map]

== Notes and references == === Notes === <references group="Note"/>

=== References === {{Reflist}}

[[Category:Communes of Allier]]