Alpuech

Alpuech 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
CountryFrance
RegionOccitanie
DepartmentAveyron
ArrondissementRodez
CantonAubrac et Carladez
CommuneArgences-en-Aubrac
Area
1
14.88 km2 (5.75 sq mi)
Population
 (2017)[1]
71
 • Density4.8/km2 (12/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal code
12210
Elevation950–1,303 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.

The inhabitants of the commune are known as Alpuechois or Alpuechoises[3]

Geography

This 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.[4]

L'Argence Vive stream forms the western border of the commune and flows westward to join L'Agence Mort which finally joins the Truyere river. L'Agence Mort also rises in the commune and flows north where it forms part of the northern border before continuing westwards to the Truyere. Apart from the Ruisseau de Fluols in the south-western border these are the only significant waterways in the commune.[4]

Neighbouring communes and villages

History

Alpuech 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.[5]

Administration

List of Successive Mayors of Alpuech[6]

Mayors from the French Revolution to 1935
FromToName
17931803Gailhac Bouldoires
18041806Bertrand Vigouroux
18061811Pierre Valadier
18121841Gabriel Capoulade
18411858Charles Noël
18581876Edouard Noël
18771884J. François Allie
18841888Edouard Daude
18881896Casimir Brevier
18961902Ferdenand Noël
19021908Edouard Daude
19081912Guillaume Cambournac
19121924Léon Allie
19241928Cayla
19281935Eugène Blancher
Mayors from 1935
FromToNamePartyPosition
19351944Marius Dangles
19441960Fernand Bouldoires
19602008Jean Balitrand
20082015André Raymond

(Not all data is known)

Population
Historical population
YearPop.±%
200680—    
200780+0.0%
200881+1.2%
200982+1.2%
201077−6.1%
201172−6.5%
201267−6.9%
201364−4.5%

Sites and monuments
  • The Church of Saint Martin (11th century) is registered as an historical monument[7]
Church of Saint Martin at Alpuech

Notable people linked to the Commune
  • 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.[5]

See also

Notes and references

Notes

    References
    1. Téléchargement du fichier d'ensemble des populations légales en 2017, INSEE
    2. Arrêté préfectoral 18 November 2015
    3. Inhabitants of Aveyron (in French)
    4. Google Maps
    5. Tourist Site for Alpuech (in French)
    6. List of Mayors of France (in French)
    7. Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00093956 Church of Saint Martin (in French)
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