Lagrasse

Lagrasse

Coat of arms
Lagrasse

Coordinates: 43°05′28″N 2°37′10″E / 43.091°N 2.6195°E / 43.091; 2.6195Coordinates: 43°05′28″N 2°37′10″E / 43.091°N 2.6195°E / 43.091; 2.6195
Country France
Region Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées
Department Aude
Arrondissement Carcassonne
Canton Lagrasse
Intercommunality Canton de Lagrasse
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) René Ortega
Area1 32.2 km2 (12.4 sq mi)
Population (2008)2 599
 • Density 19/km2 (48/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 11185 / 11220
Elevation 82–586 m (269–1,923 ft)
(avg. 108 m or 354 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.

Lagrasse is a commune in the Aude department in southern France.

Lagrasse is part of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France association ("The most beautiful villages of France").[1]

Geography

Lagrasse is about 30 km (19 mi) southeast of Carcassonne. It lies in the valley of the River Orbieu, at the foot of the Pyrenees.

History

Lagrasse dates from the time the abbey was built. Permission for the construction was given by Charlemagne in 783.

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1962622—    
1968665+6.9%
1975623−6.3%
1982696+11.7%
1990704+1.1%
1999615−12.6%
2006603−2.0%
2008599−0.7%

Sights

The two highlights of the village are the eponymous Abbey[2] and the bridges, although the narrow medieval streets of the village itself are also very attractive, and remains of the town walls can still be seen.

Economy

The region is renowned for the wine produced in the surrounding hills - this is the Corbières wine region, the largest wine-producing region in France.

The village is now home to numerous pottery workers and artists, and host numerous cultural and intellectual festivals such as "Le Banquet du Livre"

See also

References

  1. ↑ List of "Plus Beaux Villages de France"
  2. ↑ St. Mary's Abbey, Lagrasse
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