Alise-Sainte-Reine

Alise Sainte Reine (aliz sɛ̃t ʁɛn) is a commune in the Côte d'Or department in the Bourgogne Franche Comté region of eastern France.

Alise Sainte Reine is located some 17 km southeast of Montbard and 50 km northwest of Dijon. The D905 from Venarey les Laumes to Posanges in the south passes through the western part of the commune. Access to the village however is on the D103, D103J, and D103T from Venaray les Laumes in the west which continues east to join the D10 road. Apart from the village the commune consists of farmland with some forest and a horse racing track in the west. The Ozeraine river forms most of the southern border of the commune and flows west to join the Brenne west of the commune. These points were confirmed by Jacques Lacroix in his study of the god of Alise: Alisanos. Research on alisier remains largely unfinished despite numerous attempts to develop the subject. The theme of the oronym *alis or *ales meaning "rocky height" is the one that is currently most frequently put forward to explain the name of Alesia. It is from an Indo European root *palis or *pales, the initial [p] became silent in Celtic, while on the contrary it remains in Latin place names such as Palatinus (Palatine Hill) for example. In Germanic the Indo European [p] was mute [f] which gives *falisa in lower Old Frankish, felisa in Old High German or the German Fels meaning "rock". A number of researchers also believe that the term may be suitable for a site in Alise Sainte Reine that has cliffs. The explanation of a hydronym was mentioned early in 1901 Camille Jullian said that the name of Alise derived from the spring in the heart of the village and which was very famous until the early 20th century. It recurred in 1908 by breaking the radical *Alis into two themes AL + IS. In 1956 Paul Lebel did not resume this juxtaposition of the two hydronymic themes, he proposed instead for some rivers the prototype *alisa from the post Celtic period, which is why in the case of Alesia, he ultimately opted for the oronym. In 1990 the study of the etymology of the name of Alesia was taken over by Marianne Mulon. She wrote that the oronymic and the hydronymic proposals were both "reasonable". The same year Ernest Nègre in his General toponymy of France, vol 1, explained the name of Alise Sainte Reine as pre Celtic *alis + Gallic Suffix ia and he indicated that it is a derivative from a designation of a spring. In 1995 the historian Francis Lassus and linguist Gerard Taverdet annotate the study by Ernest Nègre stating that his explanation by hydronym is legitimate because of the thermal spring present at Alise. In 2007 Gerard Taverdet stated that this spring has been the subject of numerous pilgrimages while being exploited for therapy. In 2010 Stephane Gendron, another toponymist, posed the question: is it from the root *ales designating a mountain or the root *alis designating the spring? He adds, however, that the village has a mineral source and a sanctuary with a Gallic bathhouse with a therapeutic function. The healing waters site were undoubtedly famous since Celtic times. In the modern era the trade in mineral water from Alise went beyond the borders of Burgundy and even extended to Europe which lasted until the early 20th century. The sanctuary was very large and it was dedicated to Apollo Moritasgus. Jacques Lacroix said that this deity was associated with the healing waters with the first part of its name Mori designating the sea or water as in are morica (Armorique) or in the maritime tribe of the Morini. During the revolutionary period of the National Convention (1792 1795), the commune bore the names of Alise and Petite Alise.

Alise is strongly reminiscent of Alesia and it is perhaps no coincidence since the town lies at the foot of Mont Auxois and the Gallic oppidum attested by excavations and a likely archaeological site, although still contested by some, of the ancient fortress defended by Vercingetorix. Sainte Reine is directly derived from the name of the Christian martyr Sainte Reine who was beheaded at this place in 252 AD and who is the commune's patron saint. The common symbol to represent the town is the statue of Vercingetorix erected by the orders of Napoleon III to show the strength of Gaul.

The inhabitants of the commune are known as Alisiens and Alisiennes in French.

The Sainte Reine Hospital (1659). The hospital contains a very large number of items which are registered as historical objects. The MuséoParc Alésia (on the site of the Battle of Alesia) has an oppidum and the remains of a Gallo Roman city. On 26 March 2012 the "interpretation centre" was opened to the public and aims to attract 150,000 visitors a year.

The archaeological site of Alesia was not abandoned following the siege of Alesia. Recent excavations have unearthed the ruins of buildings that reflect the romanization of the site. There is a theatre to the northwest, which was a feature of Roman Gaul. It has a cavea in the shape of a semi circle, in which the audience sat on wooden bleachers that have disappeared over time. The actors appeared in the orchestra. The capacity of the theatre is estimated to have been 5,000 seats, which is low compared to the theatre at Autun (20,000 seats). The circular wall of the cavea measures 81 metres. To the east of the theatre stood a temple which was commonly used in Gallo Roman cities for both religion and entertainment. The cella of this temple stood on a podium similar to the Maison Carree in Nimes. Modest in size, it was opened up in accordance with the requirements of worship. Its facade had four columns of which nothing remains today. Archaeologists believe that this temple, which is surrounded by a wall built in the 2nd century AD, was dedicated to Taranis or Jupiter. The objects found at the site and kept at the Alesia Museum reflect the emergence of the cult of Cybele in the 3rd and 4th centuries. Next to the temple a basilica served the political and judicial functions of the city. The Curia and courts held meetings in this type of building. The affairs of the city were also discussed in the public square: the forum. It was lined with shops and served as a meeting place for the city's inhabitants. There is a monument to the north of the forum that is said to be of Ucuetis, headquarters of the corporation of bronziers. It also served as a shrine to honour the gods Bergusia and Ucuetis.

Every Saturday and Sunday in August is a representation of the Mystery of Sainte Reine, a tradition that dates back to 866. The Festival of Nuits Peplum d'Alesia, a contemporary music festival in late July.