Fossé

The commune of Fossé, located to the north of the Blois conurbation in the canton of Blois, is part of the Blois Conurbation Community: AGGLOPOLYS.
At the heart of the Petite Beauce Blésoise natural region and bordering the Vallée de la Cisse, the river that marks the municipal boundaries, the commune borders the towns of Averdon, Marolles, Villebarou, St Sulpice de Pommeray, St Lubin en Vergonnois and St Bohaire.
The population has tripled in forty years (1968-2008) now reaching 1287 inhabitants. (Census 2012)
The commune covers an area of 1,020 hectares on a plateau rising to 117 meters above sea level. The commune is divided into two distinct parts:
- a plateau typical of the "petite Beauce blésoise", devoted to cereal crops, which covers more than half of the surface area,
- The Vallée de la Cisse, a natural, wooded and marshy area, classified Natura 2000.
The simplicity and homogeneity of the town's buildings are typical of a village in the region. The commune of Fossé is made up of various hamlets: Audun, Beauregard, La Touche, Val de Cisse, Vilaine, Brûlé, Varennes, haut and Bas Plessis.

The commune's economic activity is divided between agriculture and industry, to which a small craft industry is added.

History
From prehistoric times...
Fossé's archaeological heritage is relatively rich, with up to 15 sites identified during surface surveys by archaeologists, covering various periods from prehistory to the Middle Ages.

The 19th century
In 1810, Madame de Staël was expelled from Paris by Emperor Napoleon 1st. Initially housed in Chaumont sur Loire, she was later transferred to the Château de Salaberry for a month.

The 20th century
In April 1907, Fossé made aeronautical history. The enormous balloon of Santos-Dumont and his 9 companions landed here.

Heritage
Fossé has a rich vernacular heritage, reflecting the activity and way of life of a farming community on a given territory.
Our commune is home to numerous wells and calvaries, strings of courtyards, bourgeois houses, simple barn doors and intricate farm gates. The quality and diversity of this small-scale heritage make it an architectural treasure trove for the commune.

The church
The 11th-century church is dedicated to St. Sébastien, the local patron saint. Before the French Revolution, it was part of the Chartres diocese. The nave features 3 semicircular windows on each side, a choir and a semicircular apse. The square bell tower dates from the 17th century. The Fossé church is unique in the region, with its caquetoire and tribune. A chapel was built in the 19th century, undoubtedly the château chapel, since a door opened onto the château.
In June 1835, the current bell, named "Hermine Angeline", was blessed by the bishop.

The wells
Before 1956, there was no drinking water available from the tap, so wells were used to supply water to one or more dwellings. They are between 10 and 45 meters deep, and plunge into the Beauce water table.

The mills
Moulin d'Arrivay (local heritage)
Located at the foot of the Beauregard residential area (Val de Cisse housing estate), this mill features a bread oven that is still in working order. The mechanisms and wheel were restored in 2002. It is open to visitors by appointment at Fossé town hall.
Moulin de Varennes (private)
A fire in 1872 destroyed the mill, which was rebuilt and made more efficient. The mill features a 5-meter-diameter covered waterwheel. It remained in operation until 1989.

Hiking
The GR 353 crosses the commune from north-east to south-west, making it an excellent starting point for walks to discover the commune's natural riches. (Brochures available from the Mairie).

The Cisse
The Cisse rises in Lorges near Pontijou and flows 85 km into the Loire at Vouvray. It flows through 3 natural zones: the Beauce, the Gâtine and the Loire Valley.

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