GIEN

gien, a town of central france, capital of an arrondissement in the department of loiret, situated on the right bank of the loire, 39 m. e.s.e. of orleans by rail. pop. (1906) 6325. gien is a picturesque and interesting town and has many curious old houses. the loire is here crossed by a stone bridge of twelve arches, built by anne de beaujeu, daughter of louis xi., about the end of the 15th century. near it stands a statue of vercingetorix. the principal building is the old castle used as a law-court, constructed of brick and stone arranged in geometrical patterns, and built in 1494 by anne de beaujeu. the church of st pierre possesses a square tower dating from the end of the 15th century. porcelain is manufactured.