A Literary Tour de France
Loudun
Summary
| Population: | around 4,000 in 1780. |
| Book Trade: | no organized book trade. Malherbe unofficial bookseller and wholesaler. |
| Institutions: | royal sudélégation, sénéchaussée court of justice, and tax élection. |
| Culture |
college. Literacy (for entire département): male 19%, female 9%. Former Protestant city, but no major presence left. |
| Communications: | out of the way. Stop on a minor road. |
| Economy: | small regional commercial center for grain, wine and spirits, fruits, herbs and seeds, linen and hemp, woolens, cloth, lace, and leather. |