Alet-les-Bains

Alet-les-Bains
Coat of arms
Alet-les-Bains
Location within Languedoc-Roussillon region  Alet-les-Bains
Coordinates: 42°59′51″N 2°15′25″E / 42.9975°N 2.2569°ECoordinates: 42°59′51″N 2°15′25″E / 42.9975°N 2.2569°E
Country	France
Region	Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées
Department	Aude
Arrondissement	Limoux
Canton	Limoux
Intercommunality	Pays de Couiza
Government
• Mayor (2008–2014)	Jean-Denis Alandry
Area^1	23.54 km^2 (9.09 sq mi)
Population (2008)^2	435
• Density	18/km^2 (48/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code	11008 / 11580
Elevation	180–720 m (590–2,360 ft) (avg. 204 m or 669 ft)
^1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. ^2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Alet-les-Bains (Alet in Occitan, formerly spelt Aleth) is a commune in the Aude department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France.

Geography

Alet-les-Bains is located near a hot springs in Aude in the south of France. The village is roughly one and a half hours from the sea and one hour from a winter sports centre. To each side of the village, the mountains come to a height of 750 metres above sea level. Access to the SNCF can be found at the Alet-les-Bains train station.

History

The origins of the abbey of Alet-les-Bains are unknown other than that of a priory in the eighth century. It was likely founded by Béra, viscount of Razés. By the twelfth century, it had much influence and a large number of pilgrims. In 1318, the abbey became a bishopric in order to continue the fight against the cathars; as it stayed until the French revolution. The diocese had eighty Parishes and spanned from Formiguères to Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet. A wall, with 4 gates, built in the twelfth century to protect the abbey can still be seen today.

In the sixteenth century, during the wars of religion, the Huguenots burnt and destroyed the abbey. In the seventeenth century, Nicolas Pavillon, bishop of Alet who stood up against the government of Louis XIV; could have found the means to repair the abbey, but did not feel that given the poverty of the people in his diocese, it would be acceptable. He did however build a bridge that spans Aude, in 1662 and gave an improved system of irrigation, as well as a seminar.

The thirty-fifth and last bishop of Alet, Charles de la Cropte de Chanterac, who opened the "Grande route" (Big road) Limoux-Quillan, also built a new portion of the bishopric, which he attached to the oldest part of the bishopric, which dates from the twelfth century and is now preserved. By climbing a flight of stairs, one would come to the first floor where one can see the beautiful and large synod hall as well as the library. The bishopric and its three hectares of gardens span a large portion of the old abbey.

By the separation of church and state, the bishopric became the property of the persons who lived in his estates, which were dispersed around the region. The buildings were used until the beginning of this century.

Administration

The current mayor is Jean-Denis Alandry, who entered office in 2001 and whose term expires in 2014.

Population

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1962	526	—
1968	590	+12.2%
1975	554	−6.1%
1982	543	−2.0%
1990	460	−15.3%
1999	464	+0.9%
2008	435	−6.2%

Sights

• Abbey and cathedral of the seventh century.
• Medieval, fortified castle.
• Hotels of the twelfth and fourteenth centuries.
• Source of thermally heated water, discovered by the Romans over two thousand years ago.
• Thermal spa.

Economy

The water of Alet-les-Bains is one of the oldest sold mineral waters in France, first bottled over 120 years ago, it is one of the largest sources in France. The village is very lively and possesses a casino, a thermal spa, several hotels, and several boutiques. Sadly, there is not but one shop, which is a sort of grocery store.

Events and festivals

Ciné Sans Filet is a short film festival that occurs every year in the second weekend of August, it features one hundred and fifty short films over the course of three days.

Personalities

• Nicolas Pavillon was the bishop of Alet in the seventeenth century.
• Roger Peyrefitte 1907 - 2000, author.

See also

• Communes of the Aude department

References

• INSEE

External links

• Official Web site