The Saugeais Republic
A micro-nation in North-Eastern France, born out of a joke.
It is in 1947 that the Republic will be born, out of a joke of some sort.
Visiting the Abbey of the small town of Montbenoit, Louis Ottaviani, then prefect of the Doubs department, was asked by the local tongue-in-cheek caretaker Georges Pourchet if he had his pass to enter the territory - the Saugeais Republic. Amused by this unusual inquiry, the prefect would respond, jokingly as well, that if this was a Republic, it needed a President. « I will declare you president of the Republic of Saugeais », he said to Pourchet.
The Saugeais Republic was « officially » born, and Georges Pourchet became its first President.
If this sounds unserious at first glance, the Saugeais Republic is actually very anchored in local history and reflects an important part of this territory, too often forgotten if there was not a few eccentric museum and history caretakers.
Let’s rewind a bit to understand better. We are located in the lower mountains of Jura, in present day North-Eastern France, around the year 1000 CE. The origins of the settlement are foggy, but what is known is that a small ermitage live here in the forests of this valley. Legends say that one of them, called Benoît, started living there with a small community, hence the name « Montbenoît ».
In the 1100’s, Lord of the Jura region Landry de Joux will grant the monks of Montbenoît the right of usage of the whole valley - « forest, pastures, water & meadows, and all they required for their service towards God », and charges the monks of the clearing of the forest to turn this land into a productive one.
To do this, they will receive the help of many settlers, coming mostly from the Grisons province of nowadays Switzerland, and from Savoie, in the modern French Alps. By 1199, the word « Saugey » will be used to describe this territory & its inhabitants.
In the centuries to come, the religious community around the Abbey of Montbenoît will develop, the clearing of the valley continue, and inhabitants will cultivate their specific Saugeais identity. In 1458, the « coutumier de Saugeais » will officialize the customs and daily life of the Saugets. This text, which was in effect until the French Revolution, is a rare historical record of common participation of law writing for the time period.
Other marker of identity is the « Patois Sauget » - Sauget dialect, a variant of francoprovençal.
It is in Sauget dialect that Joseph Bobillier wrote the Saugeais Anthem in 1910, predating the officialisation of the Republic by 37 years!
When Georges Pourchet explained to the prefect of Doubs about the Republic of Saugeais in 1947, it was therefore not without grounds.
Georges Pourchet stayed President until he passed away in 1968. After that, his wife Gabrielle Pourchet took over the prestigious title by an « uncontested decision of the clap-o-meter » in 1972. It really is Gabrielle Pourchet that will put the Saugeais Republic on the map, using her notoriety to develop the folklore of the micro nation, installing a government system with a Prime Minister, first secretary, ambassadeurs and toll-agents. She will also instigate the « Day of Honorary citizens » of Saugeais, of which we count more than 500 of individuals that contributed to the recognition of the Saugeais Republic & their financial aid to the restauration of the Abbey.
Much of the history of Saugeais has to do with the Abbey in the first place, yet it was slowly decaying until Gabrielle Pourchet took over presidency in 1972, and dedicated her life to raising funds for its restauration.
Today, the Abbey, in relatively good shape, can be visited, and within its wall hosts a small museum dedicated to the Republic of Saugeais itself, with much information about its origins, customs, archive pictures and an impressive collection of gifts offered to the different Presidents.
Current President Simon Marguet (nominated by former President Georgette Bertin-Pourchet, daughter of Gabrielle) still delivers permits to enter the Republic on demand, and hosts the Day of Honorary Citizens every 1st Sunday of October.
The Saugeais Republic covers a 128km2 territory, and boasts a bit more than 6000 inhabitants in 11 communes - not counting honorary citizens. The economic capital in Gilley, but if you want to learn more about it, you should pay a visit where it all started, in the political capital of Montbenoît, directly to the Abbey. Maybe by chance you’ll meet the president, he lives nearby.
