Alpuech (Languedocien: Alpuèg) is a former commune in the Aveyron department in the Occitanie region of southern France. On 1 January 2016, it was merged into the new commune of Argences-en-Aubrac.[2]
Alpuech | |
|---|---|
Part of Argences-en-Aubrac | |
 The town hall in Alpuech | |
Location of Alpuech  | |
  Alpuech  Alpuech | |
| Coordinates: 44°45′47″N 2°50′57″E / 44.7631°N 2.8492°E | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Occitania |
| Department | Aveyron |
| Arrondissement | Rodez |
| Canton | Aubrac et Carladez |
| Commune | Argences-en-Aubrac |
Area 1 | 14.88 km2 (5.75 sq mi) |
| Population (2018)[1] | 70 |
| • Density | 4.7/km2 (12/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 12210 |
| Elevation | 950–1,303 m (3,117–4,275 ft) (avg. 1,082 m or 3,550 ft) |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
Geography
editThis commune lies below the south-central portion of the Massif Central on the plateau of the Viadène to the northwest of the plateau of Aubrac.
The commune is long and narrow oriented from north-west to south-east about 50 km south-west of Saint-Flour and 50 km north-west of Marvejols. Access to the commune is by road D921 which crosses the central waist of the commune from Laguiole in the south-west to Lacalm in the north east. The D34 road starts from this road on the eastern border of the commune and passes through to the north-west, through the village and continues west to La Terrisse. There are a number of country roads in the commune but no other villages or hamlets.[3]
The Argence Vive stream forms the western border of the commune and flows westward to join the river Truyère. Its tributary Argence Morte also rises in the commune and flows north where it forms part of the northern border before continuing westwards to the Argence Vive. Apart from the Ruisseau de Fluols in the south-western border these are the only significant waterways in the commune.[3]
Neighbouring communes and villages
editHistory
editAlpuech existed in 976 and from the fourteenth century fairs that took place there were famous in the country.
The Castle of Alpuech as well as that of Cantoin, the Barony of Benaven, and Lacalm castle all belonged to the County of Rodez. This gave the benefit to Alpuech of the monastery of Pebrac (Haute Loire) in 1215. The castle was destroyed in 1550. The oldest houses surround the church which is from the 11th century in the Roman style with a Latin cross. In good weather the bell tower has views over the Cantal Mountains. There are traces of Roman roads and also paths from the 16th century on the road to Vitrac and a remarkable "tau cross" from the 12th century north of the village.[4]
Administration
editList of Successive Mayors of Alpuech[5]
| From | To | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1793 | 1803 | Gailhac Bouldoires |
| 1804 | 1806 | Bertrand Vigouroux |
| 1806 | 1811 | Pierre Valadier |
| 1812 | 1841 | Gabriel Capoulade |
| 1841 | 1858 | Charles Noël |
| 1858 | 1876 | Edouard Noël |
| 1877 | 1884 | J. François Allie |
| 1884 | 1888 | Edouard Daude |
| 1888 | 1896 | Casimir Brevier |
| 1896 | 1902 | Ferdenand Noël |
| 1902 | 1908 | Edouard Daude |
| 1908 | 1912 | Guillaume Cambournac |
| 1912 | 1924 | Léon Allie |
| 1924 | 1928 | Cayla |
| 1928 | 1935 | Eugène Blancher |
- Mayors from 1935
| From | To | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1935 | 1944 | Marius Dangles |
| 1944 | 1960 | Fernand Bouldoires |
| 1960 | 2008 | Jean Balitrand |
| 2008 | 2015 | André Raymond |
Population
editThe inhabitants of the commune are known as Alpuechois or Alpuechoises in French.[6]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 80 | — |
| 2011 | 72 | −2.09% |
| 2018 | 70 | −0.40% |
| Source: INSEE[7][1] | ||
Sites and monuments
edit- The Church of Saint Martin (11th century)
is registered as an historical monument[8]
Notable people linked to the Commune
edit- J.P. Bouyssou, known as the 'Thief of Alpuech' was an outlaw and Royalist who was a "Robin Hood" of the revolutionary era: he took from the rich to give to the poor.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Téléchargement du fichier d'ensemble des populations légales en 2018, INSEE
- ^ Arrêté préfectoral 18 November 2015
- ^ a b Google Maps
- ^ a b Tourist Site for Alpuech (in French)
- ^ List of Mayors of France (in French)
- ^ Le nom des habitants du 12 - Aveyron, habitants.fr
- ^ Populations légales 2011, INSEE
- ^ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00093956 Church of Saint Martin (in French)
External links
edit- Canton of Sainte Geneviève-sur-Argence tourism website (in French)
- Alpuech on Géoportail, National Geographic Institute (IGN) website (in French)
- Alpuech on the 1750 Cassini Map
