LIBOURNE

town, Gironde dpartement, Aquitaine rgion, southwestern France. Libourne lies northeast of Bordeaux, at the confluence of the Isle and Dordogne rivers. It is a port for ocean-going vessels and is the centre of a wine-producing district. Libourne (Leybornia) takes its name from Roger de Leyburn, English seneschal of Gascony, who founded it as a bastide (fortified town) in 1270. It was united to France in the 15th century. Its Clocktower Gate dates from the 14th century and its town hall from the 16th. Pop. (1990) 21,931.