Bize-Minervois
| Bize-Minervois | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Bize-Minervois | |
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Location within Languedoc-Roussillon region  Bize-Minervois | |
| Coordinates: 43°19′07″N 2°52′16″E / 43.3186°N 2.871°ECoordinates: 43°19′07″N 2°52′16″E / 43.3186°N 2.871°E | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées |
| Department | Aude |
| Arrondissement | Narbonne |
| Canton | Ginestas |
| Intercommunality | Canal du Midi en Minervois |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2008–2014) | Alain Fabre |
| Area1 | 20.80 km2 (8.03 sq mi) |
| Population (2008)2 | 1,061 |
| • Density | 51/km2 (130/sq mi) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 11041 / 11120 |
| Elevation | 34–323 m (112–1,060 ft) |
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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. | |
Bize-Minervois is a commune in the Aude department in southern France.
Geography
Located on the edge of the Haut-Minervois in the Cesse valley, Bize lies between the fertile sedimentary plain of Narbonne and the causses of the Minervois and the Montagne Noire. Bize is situated approximately 3 km north of the D5 between Olonzac and Capestang. Bize is a small village with a population approximately 1,000 where a quarter of the houses are second homes.
History
Bize is first mentioned in 911 in the will of man named Walcharius who left the lands of the parish of Saint-Saturnin of Bizan to the Archbishop of Narbonne. During the religious wars of the 16th century Bize changed hands many times and in 1573 was fortified as a protestant stronghold against the catholic Bishops of Narbonne.
Population
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1793 | 1,025 | — |
| 1800 | 903 | −11.9% |
| 1806 | 1,037 | +14.8% |
| 1821 | 1,106 | +6.7% |
| 1831 | 1,065 | −3.7% |
| 1836 | 1,135 | +6.6% |
| 1841 | 1,166 | +2.7% |
| 1846 | 978 | −16.1% |
| 1851 | 1,170 | +19.6% |
| 1856 | 1,148 | −1.9% |
| 1861 | 1,210 | +5.4% |
| 1866 | 1,280 | +5.8% |
| 1872 | 1,226 | −4.2% |
| 1876 | 1,419 | +15.7% |
| 1881 | 1,634 | +15.2% |
| 1886 | 1,492 | −8.7% |
| 1891 | 1,483 | −0.6% |
| 1896 | 1,496 | +0.9% |
| 1901 | 1,551 | +3.7% |
| 1906 | 1,491 | −3.9% |
| 1911 | 1,459 | −2.1% |
| 1921 | 1,455 | −0.3% |
| 1926 | 1,318 | −9.4% |
| 1931 | 1,324 | +0.5% |
| 1936 | 1,253 | −5.4% |
| 1946 | 1,231 | −1.8% |
| 1954 | 1,032 | −16.2% |
| 1962 | 1,004 | −2.7% |
| 1968 | 1,001 | −0.3% |
| 1975 | 921 | −8.0% |
| 1982 | 783 | −15.0% |
| 1990 | 807 | +3.1% |
| 1999 | 872 | +8.1% |
| 2008 | 1,061 | +21.7% |
Sights
- Caves Las Fonts (Moulin) - Paleolithic caves, now a classified monument where prehistoric remains were discovered in 1827 by French archaeologist and scientist Paul Tournal, founder of the Narbonne Museum.[1]
- La Porte Saint Michel 1236 - the main gate in to the village coming from the direction of Narbonne. A second gate, La Porte St Croix - the entrance from the direction Argeliers, Minerve and Saint-Pons - was demolished in the 19th century to allow easier passage for carts.
- The church of Saint-Michel (18th century)
Events
- 'Fete d l'olivier' - Festival of Olives is held annually in July[2]
- General market every Wednesday morning throughout the year
Amenities
Bize has two bakers, two general stores, a post office, hairdressers, a woodburner store, a pharmacy, and a wine cave. There is also a bar and several restaurants. Sporting facilities include a boulodrome, football pitches (home of Bize FC), tennis courts and in the summer the Cesse is dammed to create a freshwater swimming hole.
See also
References
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bize-Minervois. |
