Arques (Aude)

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Arques
Arcas
Coat of arms of Arques
Arques (France)
Arques
region Occitania
Department Aude
Arrondissement Limoux
Canton La Haute-Vallée de l'Aude
Community association Limouxin
Coordinates 42 ° 57 '  N , 2 ° 23'  E Coordinates: 42 ° 57 '  N , 2 ° 23'  E
height 329-854 m
surface 18.53 km 2
Residents 254 (January 1, 2017)
Population density 14 inhabitants / km 2
Post Code 11190
INSEE code 11015
Website Arques

Château d'Arques

Arques ( Occitan Arcas ) is a town in the south of France and a municipality with 254 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2017) in the Aude department in the Occitania region .

Location and climate

The place Arques is located in the extended foothills of the Pyrenees on the river Rialsesse about 44 km (driving distance) south of Carcassonne or about 27 km southwest of Limoux at an altitude of about 350  m ; the canton capital Couiza is about 11 km to the west. The climate is temperate to mild; Rain (approx. 740 mm / year) falls mainly in the winter half-year.

Population development

year 1800 1851 1901 1954 1999 2016
Residents 488 556 504 250 199 248
Source: Cassini and INSEE

The significant decline in population since the 1920s is mainly due to the loss of jobs as a result of the phylloxera crisis in viticulture and the mechanization of agriculture, as well as the abandonment of small farms ( rural exodus ).

economy

The place is still characterized by agriculture and forestry, with livestock (cattle and sheep) making up the majority of agricultural production. At the end of the 20th century, tourism - also in the form of renting holiday apartments ( gîtes ) - became an important economic factor.

history

In the 11th century Arques belonged to the Abbey of Sainte-Marie de Lagrasse , a little later the place was owned by the Seigneurs de Termes , who in turn were subjects of the Vice Counts of Carcassonne . A fortified place ( castrum ) is documented in 1154 , but there is no mention of a castle at that time.

In 1217, after conquering Termes Castle , Simon de Montfort turned towards Arques (Villa de Arquis) and set fire to the place, which at that time probably had no castle. In 1231 part of the Razès region is located , including Arques in the possession of one of his former comrades in arms: Pierre de Voisin. His son Gilles de Voisins began building the current castle and the village, which was laid out as a bastide , in 1284 . In the 16th century, Arques was married to the Dukes of Joyeuse .

Attractions

Castle complex

Others

Château d'Arques
  • The Église Sainte-Anne is a single-nave village church from the 15th century. A small exhibition has been set up in an annex; Carved and painted wooden figures of St. Anna , the Virgin Mary and the Christ child are shown . A beautiful wrought iron cross from the 14th century is also noteworthy.
  • The Maison Déodat Roché is the birthplace of the important Cathar researcher Déodat Roché. It has been transformed into a museum of the history of the Cathar movement that is well worth seeing.
  • The Maison Granger is - despite its rather inconspicuous facade - the oldest house in town and probably dates back to the 14th century.
  • The Arboretum du Planel is located near the medieval castle. It was set up in 1933 as a tree nursery for the Water and Forest Authority (Eaux et Forêts) . Exotic trees can also be found here: red oak , atlas cedar , ginkgo , tulip tree , sequoia, etc.
  • There are a number of hiking trails in the wooded area.

Personalities

  • Déodat Roché (* 1877, † 1978), one of the most important Cathar researchers of the 20th century, was born in Arques and died here too.

Web links

Commons : Arques  - collection of images, videos and audio files