Bethune

Béthune is a city and Commune of northern France , '' Sous-préfecture '' of the Pas-de-Calais '' Département ''. It is the administrative center of the Communauté D'agglomération De L'Artois , which gathers 58 communes, and has a total population of approximately 200,000.

HISTORY

Béthune is located in the Former Province of Artois .

SIGHTS

Béthune is famous for its '' Beffroi '' (tower in the central square of the city).

MISCELLANEOUS

Béthune was the birthplace of:

Jean Buridan , probably born in Béthune ( 1300 - 1358 ), Philosopher who sowed the seeds of religious scepticism in Europe

Antoine Busnois , born near Béthune (c. 1430 - 1492 ), Composer and Poet of the early Renaissance Burgundian School

Pierre De Manchicourt (c. 1510 - 1564 ), composer of the Renaissance.

Béthune is also associated with the following historic personalities:

Maximilien De Béthune, Duc De Sully ( 1560 - 1641 ), French general and statesman.

Conon De Béthune (c.1150 - 1220 ), crusader and " Trouvère " poet

EXTERNAL LINKS

Béthune city council website (in French)

http://www.theotherside.co.uk/tm-heritage/towns/bethune.htm

"Historique de Béthune" (in French)

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Bethune

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