Moulins is a commune in the Allier department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in central France.
It is the préfecture (capital) of the department and the historical capital of the old province of Bourbonnais (the Duchy of Bourbonnais).
History
Moulins experienced its golden age in the 15th century, when the Dukes of Bourbon lived in the city on the Allier river. The region of the northern Massif Central where is Moulins is called the Bourbonnais after the House of Bourbon.
Moulins became the capital of Allier on 4 March 1790 with the creation of the departments in France.
During the German occupation in the Second World War, the border between occupied France and the pro-German France (Vichy France) went through the midst of Moulins.
Geography
Moulins is along the Allier river, mainly on the right (eastern) side of the river. It has an area of , and its average altitude is ; at the city hall, the altitude is .
The distances from Moulins to other cities are: Paris, the national capital - ; Lyon, the regional capital - ; Reims - ; Bordeaux - ; Toulouse - ; Montpellier - ; Strasbourg - ; Nantes - ; Marseille - .
Moulins is surrounded by the communes Avermes, Yzeure, Toulon-sur-Allier, Bressolles and Neuvy.
Climate
The climate of Moulins, in the Köppen climate classification, is Cfb - Oceanic climate with template summers.
Population
The inhabitants of Moulins are known, in French, as Moulinois (women: Moulinoises).
With a population of 19,762, Moulins has a population density of inhabitants/km2.
Evolution of the population in Moulins
Administration
Moulins is the prefecture of the Allier department since 1800. It is also the capital of the arrondissement of Moulins and the administrative centre () of two cantons: Moulins-1, formed by 6 communes and part of Moulins, with 18,030 inhabitants (2014). Moulins-2, formed by 22 communes and part of Moulins, with 19,368 inhabitants (2014).
It is part of the intercommunality Moulins Communauté ().
Sister cities
Moulins is twinned with: Bad Vilbel, Germany Montepulciano, Italy
Places of interest
Some interesting places in Moulins are: The Moulins Cathedral Basilica (Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Annonciation de Moulins) is a Roman Catholic cathedral. The Anne de Beaujeu Museum is an art museum. The National Center of Costume and Scenography (Centre national du Costume de scène) is a museum dedicated to stage costumes and sets.
Gallery
People from or related to Moulins
Coco Chanel, fashion designer, lived several years in Moulins.