Wikipedia / Duclair
Wikipedia / Duclair
Duclair () is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in the Normandy region in northern France. The Duclair duck is named after the town, of which pressed duck (canard à la presse) is invented.
Geography
Duclair is a farming and light industrial town situated some west of the centre of Rouen at the junction of the D43, D5 and the D982 roads. The river Austreberthe joins the Seine at Duclair. There is a ferry to Berville-sur-Seine on the south bank of the Seine.
Heraldry
Population
Cuisine
Duclair is known for its duck, which evolved from a crossbreeding of domestic and migratory wild ducks. Beginning in the 17th century, these ducks would be hunted for flesh, which was regarded as tender and tasty. As farmers would protect their ducks from the rainy and windy weather of Normandy, sometimes these ducks would suffocate to death. In the late 19th century, an innkeeper named Henri "Père" Denise realized that suffocated ducks with intact blood make for more tender meat, and began purchasing suffocated ducks at discounted prices. He is credited with the invention of a new dish called pressed duck (canard à la presse), which involves serving the duck in its own blood. Since then, this has been the specialty dish of the commune.
Places of interest
The church of St. Denis, dating to the 12th century.
Remains of a 13th-century presbytery.
The Château du Taillis, dating to medieval times.
The 18th-century Château du Vaurouy.
La Cour-du-Mont manor house with parts dating to the 13th century.
A 17th-century chapel.
Notable people
Musician Pierre Villette (1926–1998) was born here.
Twin towns
See also
References
Bibliography
Francis Aubert, Duclair, un regard sur le passé, Duclair, 2002
Ariane Duclert, "Le Caneton à la rouennaise, spécialité de Duclair", Pays de Normandie
Gilbert Fromager, Le Canton of Duclair à l'aube du XXe, Duclair, 1986