Lapradelle-Puilaurens

Puilaurens

Coat of arms
Puilaurens

Coordinates: 42°48′38″N 2°18′21″E / 42.8106°N 2.3058°E / 42.8106; 2.3058Coordinates: 42°48′38″N 2°18′21″E / 42.8106°N 2.3058°E / 42.8106; 2.3058
Country France
Region Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées
Department Aude
Arrondissement Limoux
Canton Axat
Intercommunality Canton of Axat
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Jacques Galy
Area1 33.38 km2 (12.89 sq mi)
Population (2007)2 259
 • Density 7.8/km2 (20/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 11302 / 11140
Elevation 399–1,420 m (1,309–4,659 ft)
(avg. 424 m or 1,391 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.

Lapradelle-Puilaurens (in Occitan: La Pradèla de Puèglhaurenç) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France.

It includes the hamlets of Lapradelle, Puilaurens, and Lavignac. It is known for the medieval Puilaurens Castle.

Geography

The commune is situated on the Boulzane river and the Green Meridian.

History

The built-up area of Lapradelle did not exist until the 19th century and owes its development to activities related to water power taken from the Boulzane: textile spinning and sawmills.

In 1904, a railway was constructed from Quillan to Rivesaltes (the Carcassonne - Rivesaltes Line) passing through Lapradelle on a viaduct spanning the valley of the Boulzane. The line carried passengers until 1939. Afterwards it was used to transport feldspar between the Aude and the Pyrénées-Orientales, the railway line is today used in the summer for a tourist train, running between Axat and Rivesaltes.

In 1868, Lapradelle-Puilaurens lost the hamlets of Salvezines and Caunil, established as the separate commune of Salvezines.

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1962324—    
1968378+16.7%
1975257−32.0%
1982222−13.6%
1990219−1.4%
1999236+7.8%
2007259+9.7%

Its inhabitants are called Puilaurenois.

See also

References

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