Joigny

Joigny is a commune in the Yonne département in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in north-central France.
It is located on the banks of the river Yonne.

History

The current city, originally known as Joviniacum in Latin, was founded during Roman times by Flavius Jovinus prefect of the Roman militia in Gaul in AD 369.
During medieval times, it was fortified as a stronghold at the end of the 10th century by, Count of Sens, on part of the lands of the Sainte-Marie du Charnier de Sens Abbey. The Porte du Bois, a gateway with two massive flanking towers, is a relic of the castle.
After passing through several hands, it came into the possession of the family of Villeroi in the 18th century. A fragment of a ladder preserved in the church of St André commemorates the successful resistance offered by the
town to the English in 1429.

Population

Some notable people

Marcel Aymé
Edme Joachim Bourdois de La Motte, first physician to Napoleon's son
Yom Tov of Joigny, Rabbi and poet
Anne Plantagenet
Jean de Joigny
François de Saint-Just, French politician

It was also the home of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, who founded the Roman Catholic Society of the Sacred Heart in 1800.

Churches

The church of St Jean, which once stood within the enceinte of the old castle, contains a representation of the Holy Sepulchre in white marble.
The church of St André, of which the best feature is the Renaissance portal with its fine bas-reliefs.
The church of St Thibault, in which the stone crown suspended from the choir vaulting is chiefly noticeable.

Image:Joigny - Eglise Saint-André 4.jpg|Saint Andrew Church, Pietà
Joigny - Église Saint-Jean - 1.jpg|Saint John Church, Deposition of Christ
Image:Joigny - Eglise Saint-Jean 01.jpg|Saint John Church
Joigny -Église Saint-Thibault - 2.jpg|Inside of Saint Theobald Church

Twin towns – sister cities

Joigny is twinned with: