Berrias-et-Casteljau
Berrias-et-Casteljau is a commune in the Ardèche department in southern France. The Chassezac flows southeast through the northern part of the commune forms part of its eastern border; the Berriasian Age of the Cretaceous Period of geological time is named for the village of Berrias in the commune. Communes of the Ardèche department INSEE
Aubenas
Aubenas is a commune in the southern part of the Ardèche department in the Rhône Valley in southern France. It is the seat of several government offices; the surrounding countryside, mountainous and rugged. The Ardèche River flows through the commune. Aubenas is part of the "Pays d'Aubenas-Vals", composed of 10 towns and villages including Vals-les-Bains, for 23,000 people. Aside from a long-year commercial activity, Aubenas has a good strategic position on the tourist field, at crossroads of a regional natural park, the zone of the Ardèche river canyon, the start of mountains; the chestnut industry is one testimony of the intense agricultural activity earlier in time. The root alb-, meaning a height, is present in the name of the city, and in fact, it is sat on the strategic position of a limestone base overlooking the valley of Ardèche. Due to the long distance from a water source, the city was known informally as the city without water until the 19th century, when on 28 June 1863, under the leadership of the Mayor John Mathon, water was pumped from an external source which fed 50 fountains across the city.
At the foot of the promontory pass route of Montélimar to Le Puy-en-Velay, lies the oldest axis of movement between the Rhone valley and the mountains of Auvergne. The privileged location between l'Ardèche méridionale and l'Ardèche verte allowed for a crossroads between different types of agriculture and business; the hill on which the city is built is mentioned during the 5th century AD. It tells of a conflict between the bishops of the hill and the bishops of Viviers, a local commune in the same modern day department. By 1084, the bishop of the hill won the lengthy conflict; the area became the possession of the Montlaur. The Baron's family reigned 1084 to 1441 and built the tower, the wall and two large, round towers of the castle, surrounded by a moat, why in French Aubenas is called "La cité des Montlaur"; the lords who were not only at the origin of the economic growth of the city, but the social and material development of its residents. Their motto was: "Montlaur, au plus haut!". During the Renaissance, the city became Protestant, after the third war of religion, the residents refused to allow royal troops within the city walls.
The Mayor of Aubenas is Jean-Pierre Constant. He entered office in 2006. Aubenas is the seat of the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie Ardèche Méridionale, it is the seat of the Centre de formation d'apprentis et is a training centre. Aubenas is a city which survives today on commerce and food manufacturing companies, producing things like cheese and other foodstuffs, the likes of which one might find in a delicatessen, it is close to the commune of Lanas, home to a small aeroport. The city hosted the arrival of the Tour de France on 24 July 2009, the day prior to the climbing of mount Ventoux; the city hall, situated in the city centre is surrounded by many paved roads, this is the highest part of the city, it overlooks the medieval castle that overlooks the valley of the Ardèche. The city had a railway until 1988 for goods; the line Vogüé-Lalevade-d'Ardèche. The station still sells tickets for the SNCF. Since 4 June 2007, the service "tout'enbus" of the community of the communes of Pays d'Aubenas-Vals has worked in the commune of Aubenas, Saint-Privat and Vals-les-Bains.
Château d'Aubenas, classed as a historic monument, now houses the city hall. It was a strong castle in the 14th century, it was refurbished in the 19th centuries. Today it boasts a large collection of paintings and engravings, it offers an exceptional dungeon panorama. The Gargoule house, from the sixteenth century, by the castle; the Saint Laurent composite church. The Saint-Benoît cathedral of the 17th and 18th centuries is the old chapel of a benedictine convent. Jean Mathon, old mayor of the city. Albert Seibel, creator of several hybrid vines. Franck Sauzée, footballer Léonce Verny, engineer Cédric Barbosa, footballer Jean-Marc Gounon, racecar driver Rémy Martin, player of rugby Jean Charay and historian Dominique Guillo and director Laurent Paganelli, footballer Jacques Espérandieu, journalist Anthony Mounier, footballer Renaud Cohade, footballer Nimdus and bonio Delphine Combe, athlete Amandine Leynaud, handballer Aubenas is twinned with: Cesenatico, Italy Delfzijl, Netherlands Schwarzenbek, Germany Sierre, Switzerland Zelzate, Belgium Palamos, Spain Communes of the Ardèche department Town council website Tourism office website
Banne
Banne is a commune in the Ardèche department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southern France. The inhabitants of the commune are known as Bannardes. Banne is located 40 km south by south-west of Aubenas; the southern border of the western arm of the commune is the departmental border between Ardèche and Gard. The village is at the top of a hill and seems cut in half with Le Fort to the north and L'Eglise to the south and a tangle of streets and terraced gardens, it is an old mining town with coal deposits of high quality coke. Access to the commune is by the D901 from Les Vans in the north which passes through the heart of the commune east of the village and continues south to Saint-Paul-le-Jeune; the D104 branches off the D901 in the south of the commune and goes north-east to Berrias-et-Casteljau. The D310 comes from the south and passes along the western edge of the commune to join the D216 to Les Vans just north of the commune. Access to the village is by the D251 from Saint-Paul-le-Jeune which continues to join the D310 in the commune.
There are many hamlets in the commune apart from the village: There is an area of farmland east of the village with most of the commune being forested. The Granzon river rises in the north of the commune and flows east forming the northern border of the commune before turning south-east east through the commune and continuing east to join the Chassezac near Maison Neuve. Several tributaries of the Granzon rise in the commune and flow northwards to join it including the Ruisseau de Doulovy, the Ruisseau de la Combe, the Ruisseau de l'Oulette, the Ruisseau de la Vernadelle, the Ruisseau de la Sauzède, the Ruisseau de Claveysson; the climate is of Mediterranean type. During the French Revolution Count François-Louis de Saillans attempted a royalist counter-revolution with about 6,600 peasants, he captured Fort Banne in early July 1792. It was retaken by the General of Albignac who came to Bourgoin. A fire was started by the fighting; the French Revolution of 1848 was welcome in Banne and some of the inhabitants took the opportunity to challenge their mayor and ask for his revokaction by petition to the government commissioner.
According to them he was protected by a former MP but he was part of a clique led by an opponent of Bayle and far from being motivated by republican ideals. Until the mid-20th century several coal deposits were exploited in Banne with four concessions at: Montgros, Doulovy and Pigère-Mazel. Together with Nieigles, they were the only coal mines in Ardèche department. Since the closure of the mines forest has taken over the area. Few traces of the mines remain except the magnificent Doulovy viaduct, built in 1876; these deposits were the continuation of the Alès mining basin. On 29 July 1944 several companies of maquisards decimated a German column who were marching to the north at the "Battle of Banne". In 2008 the film Le Missionnaire was shot in the village; this was a film produced by Luc Besson, directed by Roger Delattre with Jean-Marie Bigard in the title role. List of Successive Mayors In 2010 the commune had 687 inhabitants; the evolution of the number of inhabitants is known from the population censuses conducted in the commune since 1793.
From the 21st century, a census of communes with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants is held every five years, unlike larger communes that have a sample survey every year. Population change Sources: Ldh/EHESS/Cassini until 1962, INSEE database from 1968 The Votive festival of Banne is held each year on the first weekend of August; this festival takes place over three days and is organized by the festival committee of Banne. It begins on Friday evening with a ball continues on Saturday afternoon with petanque competitions and, in the evening, a grand ball. On Sunday afternoon a goat trifecta is run to end up with a big meal in the evening; the Lauze Dolmen is registered as an historical monument. The Medieval village and the ruins of the Chateau of Banne The Chayeau of Lèbres The Chateau of Larque The Church of Saint Peter from the 19th century contains several items that are registered as historical objects: A framed Stole and Maniple from Father Nadal The main Altar A Pulpit A Wayside Cross at the Place du Fort is registered as an historical object.
The Doulovy Viaduct, a former railway bridge for the Banne mines built in 1876. Dimensions: 235 m long, 24 arches, 35 m high, 1.35 m wide Several places are classified as natural areas of ecological interest and fauna: The Bois de Païolive The Forêt de Banne The lower reaches of the Granzon The Ganière and Abeau streams Paul Maës, Mayor of the commune during the "Battle of Banne" on 29 July 1944: he offered himself as a hostage to prevent German reprisals. Communes of the Ardèche department Banne on the old National Geographic Institute website Banne on Lion1906 Banne on Google Maps Banne on Géoportail, National Geographic Institute website Bane on the 1750 Cassini Map Banne on the INSEE website INSEE
Arcens
Arcens is a commune in the Ardèche department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southern France. The inhabitants of the commune are known as Arcensois or Arcensoises Arcens is located some 55 km east by south-east of Le Puy-en-Velay and 60 km west of Valence, it can be accessed by the D237 road from Saint-Martin-de-Valamas in the north-east passing through the commune and the village and continuing south-west to Saint-Martial. Apart from the village there are the hamlets of Massas and Les Allayauds in the south-west; the entire commune is forested. The Eysse river flows through the commune and the village from south-west to north-east gathering numerous tributaries on the way, it forms part of the northern border of the commune before continuing north to join the Eyrieux at Saint-Martin-de-Valamas. It appears that the origin of the commune name Arcens was from a hamlet in the 14th century and the area occupied by the current commune was divided between three Lords in 1464. Arcens is a village divided between the plateau and the valley and in the Middle Ages was the borders of three lordships.
The first mention, recounted, of Mansus de Arcenno in 1024, does not apply to Arcens, but to a manse near Escoulenc. In 1164 Pope Alexander III confirmed the Arcens church to the chapter of Puy but this date is controversial. On 17 April 1195 Adrian IV, confirmed the church to the abbey of Saint-Chaffre. In 1620, the Acens church depended on the chapter of Puy; the Lordship of Arcens appears only in the 15th century in the Brion family: thence it passed to Crussol and in the 18th century was in the hands of the Aiguillon family, one of the most powerful of the time. The revolutionary period left some traces: the sales of church property, theft from the tax collector a strange resignation of the council; the lord of Arcens was meanwhile guillotined. List of Successive Mayors; the evolution of the number of inhabitants is known from the population censuses conducted in the commune since 1793. From the 21st century, a census of communes with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants is held every five years, unlike larger towns that have a sample survey every year.
Population change Sources: Ldh/EHESS/Cassini until 1962, INSEE database from 1968 The population of the commune is old. The rate of persons above the age of 60 years is higher than the national rate and the departmental rate. Unlike the national and departmental proportions, the male population of the commune is greater than the female population. Percentage Distribution of Age Groups in Arcens and Ardèche Department in 2009 Sources: Evolution and Structure of the population of the Commune in 2009, INSEE. Evolution and Structure of the population of the Department in 2009, INSEE. Source of gaseous mineral water. A Chateau from the 16th century. A Church from the 19th century. Rémy Roure, resistance fighter, editor-in-chief of Le Monde, founder of the Democratic Party the UDSR. Rene Baumer, resistance fighter and deportee. Wrote two novels about Soutron. Communes of the Ardèche department Arcens official website Arcens on the National Geographic Institute website Arcens on Lion1906 Arcens on Google Maps Arcens on Géoportail, National Geographic Institute website Arcens on the 1750 Cassini Map Arcens on the INSEE website INSEE
Aubignas
Aubignas is a commune in the Ardèche department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southern France. The inhabitants of the commune are known as Aubignassiennes. Aubignas is located some 10 km west by north-west of Montelimar, 6 km north-west of Le Teil and 16 km south of Privas. Access to the commune is by Route nationale N102 from Le Teil in the south-east which passes through the south of the commune forming part of the southern border and continues west to Saint-Jean-le-Centenier. Access to the village in the centre of the commune is by the Champagnet road which goes north from the N102. Apart from the village there is the hamlet of Pignatelle in the south The commune is forested in the north with farmland in the south; the Frayol rises in the north of the commune and flows south-east gathering many tributaries and continuing to join the Rhone at Le Teil. The Ruisseau des Avents forms the eastern border of the commune as it flows south to join the Frayol as it leaves the commune; the Ruisseau de l'Eguille rises in the north-west of the commune and flows south to join the Escoutay at Alba-la-Romaine.
List of Successive Mayors In 2010 the commune had 418 inhabitants. The evolution of the number of inhabitants is known from the population censuses conducted in the commune since 1793. From the 21st century, a census of communes with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants is held every five years, unlike larger towns that have a sample survey every year. Population change Sources: Ldh/EHESS/Cassini until 1962, INSEE database from 1968 The population of the town is old; the ratio of persons above the age of 60 years is higher than the national average but lower than the departmental average. As for national and departmental allocations, the male population of the town is less than the female population. Percentage Distribution of Age Groups in Aubignas and Ardèche Department in 2010 Sources: Evolution and Structure of the population of the Commune in 2010, INSEE. Evolution and Structure of the population of the Department in 2010, INSEE; the commune has many houses and farmhouses that are registered as historical monuments: The Town Hall and School.
The town hall contains an item, registered as a historical object: A Relief: Christ on the Cross The commune has a church and some structures that are registered as historical monuments: A Wayside Cross at Liotard An Oratory Chapelette The Church of the Assumption A'Cemetery Cross A'Monumental Cross The Church contains many items that are registered as historical objects: A Statue: Saint Regis A Statue: Saint Diacre A Statue: Saint Joseph A Statue: Virgin and Child The Marie Françoise Léon Bell A Statue: Saint Joseph A Statue: Saint François Régis A Statue: Saint Vincent A Statue: Virgin and Child A Monumental Cross: Christ on the Cross Placide Astier was born in the commune on 23 February 1856 and died in Paris on 6 March |1918. He was French politician. Communes of the Ardèche department Aubignas on Google Maps Aubignas on Géoportail, National Geographic Institute website Aubignas on the 1750 Cassini Map Aubignas on the INSEE website INSEE
Ailhon
Ailhon is a French commune in the Ardèche department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southern France. The inhabitants of the commune are known as Ailhonnais or Ailhonnaises Located at an altitude of 406 metres, Ailhon is a commune in the Canton of Aubenas and the Arrondissement of Largentière, some 5 km south-west of Aubenas, it can be accessed by the D223 road from Prades in the north, a tortuous mountain road which continues south through the commune, without passing near the village, to join the D103. Access to the village is by the D235 from Aubenas in the north-east to the hamlet of La Charberterie in the north of the commune the D359 south to the village continuing south to Merzelet; the commune is characterised by a large area with mountainous terrain forested with a network of small mountain roads and many scattered hamlets. Numerous streams cover the commune with the Ruisseau du Gary rising in the north and flowing the length of the commune gathering many tributaries south-west to join La Lanche which forms the south-western border of the commune.
There is the Auzon which rises just north of the commune and forms the eastern border gathering many tributaries and continues south to join the Ardeche near Saint-Sernin. The Ruisseau d'Ailhon flows through the village east to join the Auzon. A prehistoric tomb at Gay and many vestiges at Daus attest to human presence since antiquity, it was in 1298 when the name of the noble family of Ailhon appeared for the first time when Pierre d'Ailhon sold a nearby fortified house to the house of Mirabel. During the Wars of Religion from 1586 to 1591, the village paid a heavy price: the fort was taken and retaken and nothing remains except a tower in the Chabert house south of the village. In 1670, Ailhon participated in the Roure Revolt, a rebellion caused by a disastrous harvest followed by a rumour of an increase in taxes; the insurgents armed only with scythes and sticks were massacred by the king's armies on the plain of Lavilledieu. The leader of the revolt, Anthoine du Roure, was arrested in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and broken on the wheel in Montpellier on 29 October 1670.
His body was exposed on the high road from Montpellier to Nimes and his head placed on top of the Porte Saint-Antoine in Aubenas. A square Jacques Roure was dedicated to his memory in Aubenas. Another square bears his name in Lachapelle-sous-Aubenas; the disorder during the French Revolution resulted in a band of brigands led by Fourniquet de Chassiers scouring the territory. List of Successive Mayors of Ailhon Mayors from 1977 Percentage Distribution of Age Groups in Ailhon and Ardèche Department in 2009 Sources: Evolution and Structure of the population of the Commune in 2009, INSEE. Evolution and Structure of the population of the Department in 2009, INSEE. Daus: prehistoric site The Church of Saint André is registered as an historical monument; the church was enlarged and revised until the beginning of the 16th century and it houses many sculptures. There is a huge trunk of an Elm tree planted in 1593 - as in many parishes - by order of Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully, to celebrate the conversion to the Catholic religion of Henry IV.
Two items in the church are registered as historical objects: A Sarcophagus cover A Stoup Communes of the Ardèche department Cantons of the Ardèche department Arrondissements of the Ardèche department Charles Albin Mazon, A Historical Account of the Ancient Parish of Ailhon, imprimerie centrale, 1905 Ailhon official website Ailhon on the old National Geographic Institute website Ailhon on Lion1906 Ailhon on Google Maps Ailhon on Géoportail, National Geographic Institute website Ailhon on the 1750 Cassini Map Ailhon on the INSEE website INSEE
Chanéac
Chanéac is a commune in the Ardèche department in southern France. Communes of the Ardèche department INSEE
