Romorantin-Lanthenay (), commonly known as Romorantin, is a commune and town in the Loir-et-Cher department, administrative region of Centre-Val de Loire, France.
It is the capital city of the natural region of Sologne.
History In 1516 Louise of Savoy, mother of King Francis I, commissioned Leonardo da Vinci to plan at Romorantin a new palace and model town, fit to be a new capital for France. This plan also called for the cutting of a canal between the Loire and the Sauldre. Work was begun, but apparently came to a halt in 1519 on the death of Leonardo..
The current commune is the result of the merger, on 29 May 1961, of the former communes of Romorantin and Lanthenay.
Transportation Romorantin is served by the A85 autoroute and the TER Centre-Val de Loire regional rail network (Chemin de Fer du Blanc-Argent).
Population The population data given in the table and graph below for 1954 and earlier refer to the former commune of Romorantin.
Personalities Martha Broissier was made famous around the year of 1598 for her feigned demonic possession. Nassira El Moaddem, journalist, TV presenter and writer. Davy Jeanney, rallycross driver.
Sites and tourism The city hosts the Museum of Sologne. Sologne is a region in North-Central France, well known for its forest.
Sport Between 6 July and 22 July 2007 Sologne Aerodrome was used for the Women's World Gliding Championships.
Romorantin was home to former French automobile firm Matra.
Every year during the last weekend in October, a gastronomy festival is held in Romorantin. First held in 1978, "Les Journées Gastronomiques de Sologne" now attracts around 13,000 visitors.
Davy Jeanney, a two-time winner in the World Rallycross Championship, lives in Romorantin-Lanthenay.
Twin towns – sister cities
Romorantin-Lanthenay is twinned with: Aranda de Duero, Spain Langen, Germany Long Eaton, England, United Kingdom Mudanya, Turkey
Climate
See also Sologne Sauldre River SO Romorantin, association football team Stade Jules Ladoumègue, a stadium in Romorantin-Lanthenay
References
External links
Official website