The Upper Squares

At the top of the rue Constant Ragot, outside what was once the town's southern gate, is the largest of St.-Aignan's public squares. It's made up of two formally named places, la Place du Quatorze Julliet (France's national day), and la Place du Président Wilson. There are many streets and squares in France named for Wilson, commemorating his involvement in the end of the first World War.

La Place du Président Wilson, all parked up.

The squares are lined with trees, but they serve as parking lots most of the time. On market days, the Place du Quatorze Julliet is used by vendors of shoes, clothing, curtains, mattresses, and other non-food items. There's even a Singer sewing machine vendor. On festival days, manèges (carnival rides) fill the Place Wilson.

Coccinelle market on the Place Wilson.

A few businesses are clustered around the Place Wilson. Two cafés, a pharmacy, a bank, and the town's tiny movie theater occupy one side. There's a little grocery called Coccinelle (ladybug), a funeral home, and town hall on another side.

The St.-Aignan tourist office sits below the old château.

The smaller Place du Quatorze Julliet is bounded by the St.-Aignan's treasury (which was formerly the town hall) and the town tourist office. I took the above photo on market day and there were several painters with easels set up outside. This must have been something sponsored by the tourist office, but I didn't stop to check it out.