Olargues

Olargues
A general view of Olargues A general view of Olargues
Coat of arms of Olargues Coat of arms
Olargues
Location within Languedoc-Roussillon region Olargues
Coordinates:
Country	France
Region	Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées
Department	Hérault
Arrondissement	Béziers
Canton	Olargues
Intercommunality	Orb et Jaur
Government
• Mayor (2014–2020)	Jean Arcas
Area1	18.6 km2 (7.2 sq mi)
Population (2008)2	603
• Density	32/km2 (84/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code	[1] 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 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Olargues is a commune in the Hérault department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France. It is rated as one of the most beautiful villages in France.

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

File:Devil's Bridge & tower at Olargues.jpg

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%
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%

See also

• Communes of the Hérault department