Abbans-Dessous is a commune in the Doubs department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of eastern France.
The similarly named commune Abbans-Dessus lies 1.5 km to the south.
Geography Abbans-Dessous is located some 20 km south-west of Besançon and 2 km south-east of Osselle. Access to the commune is by road D105 from Byans-sur-Doubs in the south-east passing through the commune and the village and continuing north-east to Boussières. The D466 road goes south-east from the village then north-east to join the D107 at the north-eastern corner of the commune. The commune is mixed forest and farmland.Google Maps
The commune is situated on the south bank of the river Doubs where it loops south after flowing from the Jura mountains in Switzerland in a U-shaped course through Besançon before passing along the northern border of Abbans-Dessous then feeding into the river Saône at Verdun-sur-le-Doubs.
Neighbouring Communes and Villages
Toponymy Abbans appears in the forms:Jean COURTIEU, Dictionary of communes in the department of Doubs, CÊTRE, BESANÇON, 1987, Vol. 6 Habens in 1148; Abans in 1182; Abbans in 1250; Abbans villa in 1252; Abens-la-Ville in 1278; Abbantum in 1297; Abbans in 1368; Abbans-la-Ville in 1629
The name is based on a German man's name Abbo with the Germanic suffix -ing.
History The history of Abbans-Dessous (previously called Abbans-la-Ville) can not be separated from that of Abbans-Dessus (previously called Abbans-le-Château). At the lower end is a church surrounded by a cemetery, the priory of Lieu-Dieu, a mill on the Doubs river; at the upper end are the two châteaux - Front and Rear - which preceded their respective villages.Jean COURTIEU, Dictionary of communes in the department of Doubs, CÊTRE, BESANÇON, 1987, Vol. 1
Administration
List of Successive Mayors of Abbans-DessousList of Mayors of France
From To Name 2001 2014 Claude Vuaillat 2014 Current Chantal Viprey
Intercommunality Abbans-Dessous is a member of the Community of communes Loue-Lison, which was created on 1 January 2017. It comprises 72 communes, and has its seat in Ornans.CC Loue-Lison (N° SIREN : 200068070), BANATIC
Population The inhabitants of the commune are known as Abbanais or Abbanaises in French.Le nom des habitants du 25 - Doubs, habitants.fr
Sites and monuments
The Priory of Lieu-Dieu (11th century) is listed as a historical monument.Ministry of Culture, Mérimée The church contains the Tombstone of Jean d'Abbans (knight) (14th century) which is listed as a historical object.Ministry of Culture, Palissy
See also Communes of the Doubs department
References
External links Abbans-Dessous on Géoportail, National Geographic Institute (IGN) website Abans-deßous on the 1750 Cassini Map