Donetsan
The approximately 40 square kilometer Donetsan ( Occitan : Donasan ) is a small mountain region with seven municipalities and a total of around 500 inhabitants (as of 2012) in the French Pyrenees .
location
Surrounded by mountains, Donetsan lies above the upper Aude valley in the far east of the Ariège department. The seven places Artigues , Carcanières , Le Pla , Le Puch , Mijanès , Quérigut and Rouze are all at altitudes of about 900 to 1200 meters; the surrounding mountains reach heights of up to 2500 meters. There are several small mountain lakes in the Donezan (e.g. Étang de Quérigut and Étang de Laurenti ).
economy
The high-altitude region is generally rather unsuitable for growing grain and so livestock farming (milk, cheese, meat) traditionally plays the most important role in the communities of the Donetsan; the forestry is important. Summer and winter tourism has been a source of income for the local population since the 1970s.
history
In the 9th century the high valley belonged to the County of Razès ; in 972 it became the county of Cerdanya and in 1118 it became the county of Barcelona . In 1208, Peter II , King of Aragón, gave the territory to his vassals, the Counts of Foix . In the 14th century it was quasi independent at times; The French King Henry IV considered it to be part of his property at the end of the 16th century and joined the crown of France after his accession to the throne, but it remained controversial between Spain and France until the Peace of the Pyrenees (1659).
Attractions
Apart from its charming landscape, the Donezan has two medieval castle ruins - the Château de Quérigut and the Château d'Usson .