Pailhès, Ariège

Pailhès
A view of Pailhès
Pailhès
Location within Midi-Pyrénées region  Pailhès
Coordinates: 43°06′11″N 1°26′36″E / 43.1031°N 1.4433°ECoordinates: 43°06′11″N 1°26′36″E / 43.1031°N 1.4433°E
Country	France
Region	Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées
Department	Ariège
Arrondissement	Pamiers
Canton	Le Fossat
Intercommunality	Vallée de la Lèze
Government
• Mayor (2008–2014)	Yvon Lassalle
Area^1	21.52 km^2 (8.31 sq mi)
Population (2008)^2	383
• Density	18/km^2 (46/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code	09224 / 09130
Elevation	267–532 m (876–1,745 ft) (avg. 287 m or 942 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.

Pailhès is a French commune located in the department of Ariège in Midi-Pyrenees in southwestern France. Its inhabitants are called Pailhésiens and Pailhésiennes.

Geography

This commune is located in the mountains of Plantaurel on the river Lèze and on the old national road 628 between Saint-Jean-de-Verges and Campagne-sur-Arize. It is part of the Regional Park of the Ariège Pyrenees. The Lèze flows northwest through the southeastern part of the commune, crosses the village, then flows north through the middle of the commune.

History

It is one of the villages that provide a bridge over the river Lèze. As such it was of military significance in the Middle Ages, which resulted in the Chateau of Pailhes being built on the hill overlooking the river. The chateau was built in the 12th century by the Comte de Foix and reached a high point when King Henri II of France stayed the night there. Many of the present day villagers now claim royal descent as a result of this visit.

Special note: Until the Revolution, the barony of Pailhes played an important role in the region. With some neighboring parishes, it formed an enclave of Languedoc in the County of Foix. With its neighboring parishes, Pailhes was part of the Episcopal Diocese of Rieux and civil diocese of Toulouse. See Cassini maps and Histariège site.

The ancient village can still be seen at the foot of the chateau while the more modern buildings are across the river.

The chateau has recently been purchased by the local historical society who are in the process of renovating it.

Transport

Pailhès was at one end of the monorail which ran from Toulouse along the valley of the Lèze. Unfortunately this unique railway line was torn up in the inter-war years, though the stations can still be seen in each of the villages of the Lèze.

Population

Inhabitants of Pailhès are called Pailhésiens.

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1962	347	—
1968	365	+5.2%
1975	322	−11.8%
1982	307	−4.7%
1990	281	−8.5%
1999	297	+5.7%
2008	383	+29.0%

See also

• Communes of the Ariège department

References

• INSEE