Olargues

Olargues is a commune in the Hérault department in the Occitanie region in southern France. It is rated as one of the most beautiful villages in France.[2]

Olargues
Commune
A general view of Olargues
Coat of arms
Location of Olargues
Olargues Olargues
Coordinates: 43°33′26″N 2°54′55″E
Country	France
Region	Occitanie
Department	Hérault
Arrondissement	Béziers
Canton	Saint-Pons-de-Thomières
Government
• Mayor (2014–2020)	Jean Arcas
Area ^1	18.6 km^2 (7.2 sq mi)
Population  (2017-01-01)[1]	679
• Density	37/km^2 (95/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	34187 /34390
Elevation	148–760 m (486–2,493 ft) (avg. 183 m or 600 ft)
^1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km^2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Olargues is a good example of a French Medieval town. It was occupied by the Romans, the Vandals and the Visigoths. At the end of the 11th century the Jaur valley came under the authority of the Château of the Viscount of Minerve. The following centuries saw a succession of wars and epidemics, and it was not until the 18th century that Olargues became re-established. This was due to the prosperity of local agriculture and artisanal industry.

Attractions

Devil's bridge and tower in Orlargues

Pont du Diable

The "Devil's Bridge" is said to date back to 1202 and is reputed to be the scene of transactions between the people of Olargues and the "devil". The old village is clustered around the belltower, which was formerly the main tower of the castle (Romanesque construction). The old shops have marble frontages and overhanging upper storeys. A museum of popular traditions and art is to be found in the stairs of the Commanderie.

Population

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% 1793 1,007 —     1800 1,037 +3.0% 1806 1,068 +3.0% 1821 1,224 +14.6% 1831 1,298 +6.0% 1836 1,212 −6.6% 1841 1,161 −4.2% 1846 1,143 −1.6% 1851 1,145 +0.2% 1856 1,058 −7.6% 1861 1,017 −3.9% 1866 1,016 −0.1% 1872 1,078 +6.1% 1876 1,040 −3.5% 1881 1,048 +0.8% 1886 1,221 +16.5% 1891 955 −21.8% 1896 909 −4.8%

Year Pop. ±% 1901 913 +0.4% 1906 891 −2.4% 1911 864 −3.0% 1921 740 −14.4% 1926 810 +9.5% 1931 822 +1.5% 1936 755 −8.2% 1946 707 −6.4% 1954 622 −12.0% 1962 693 +11.4% 1968 590 −14.9% 1975 518 −12.2% 1982 529 +2.1% 1990 512 −3.2% 1999 571 +11.5% 2008 603 +5.6% 2011 640 +6.1% 2014 666 +4.1%

See also

• Communes of the Hérault department

References

1. "Populations légales 2017". INSEE. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
2. Les plus beaux villages de France