Aubenas

For the commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, see Aubenas-les-Alpes.
Aubenas

Aubenas seen from the castle ramparts

Coat of arms
Aubenas

Coordinates: 44°37′14″N 4°23′28″E / 44.6206°N 4.3911°E / 44.6206; 4.3911Coordinates: 44°37′14″N 4°23′28″E / 44.6206°N 4.3911°E / 44.6206; 4.3911
Country France
Region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Department Ardèche
Arrondissement Largentière
Canton Aubenas
Intercommunality Pays d'Aubenas-Vals
Government
 • Mayor (2014–2020) Jean-Pierre Constant
Area1 14.32 km2 (5.53 sq mi)
Population (2006)2 11,496
 • Density 800/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
INSEE/Postal code 07019 / 07200
Elevation 170–421 m (558–1,381 ft)
(avg. 237 m or 778 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.

Aubenas is a commune in the southern part of the Ardèche department in the Rhône Valley in southern France.

It is the seat of several government offices. The surrounding countryside, which is mountainous and rugged; is popular for vacation homes.

The Ardèche River flows through the commune.

Aubenas is part of the "Pays d'Aubenas-Vals", composed of 10 towns and villages including Vals-les-Bains, for approximately 23,000 people. Aside from a long-year commercial activity, Aubenas has a good strategic position on the tourist field, at crossroads of a regional natural park, the zone of the Ardèche river canyon, and the start of mountains.

The chestnut industry is one testimony of the intense agricultural activity earlier in time.

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±%
17932,796—    
18003,315+18.6%
18063,543+6.9%
18213,912+10.4%
18314,759+21.7%
18364,865+2.2%
18414,889+0.5%
18466,776+38.6%
18517,410+9.4%
18568,010+8.1%
18618,529+6.5%
18667,694−9.8%
18727,431−3.4%
18767,781+4.7%
18818,260+6.2%
18868,112−1.8%
18917,824−3.6%
18968,224+5.1%
19018,362+1.7%
19067,064−15.5%
19117,206+2.0%
19216,682−7.3%
19267,378+10.4%
19317,525+2.0%
19368,020+6.6%
19468,195+2.2%
19548,655+5.6%
19629,235+6.7%
196810,763+16.5%
197512,050+12.0%
198211,543−4.2%
199011,105−3.8%
199911,018−0.8%
200811,496+4.3%

Etymology

The root alb-, meaning a height, is present in the name of the city (Latin Albenate). And in fact, it is sat on the strategic position of a limestone base overlooking the valley of Ardèche. Due to the long distance from a water source, the city was known informally as the city without water until the 19th century, when on 28 June 1863, under the leadership of the then Mayor John Mathon, water was pumped from an external source which fed 50 fountains across the city. At the foot of the promontory pass route of Montélimar to Le Puy-en-Velay, lies the oldest axis of movement between the Rhone valley and the mountains of Auvergne. The privileged location between l'Ardèche méridionale (Southern Ardèche) and l'Ardèche verte (Green Ardèche) allowed for a crossroads between different types of agriculture and business.

The Middle Ages

The hill on which the city is built is mentioned during the 5th century AD. It tells of a conflict between the bishops of the hill and the bishops of Viviers, which is a local commune in the same modern day department; for the construction of a fortress. By 1084, the bishop of the hill won the lengthy conflict. The area became the possession of the Baron, Montlaur; all the way from the Ardèche mountains to what is now the western border of the current day department of Ardèche. The Baron's family reigned 1084 to 1441 and built the tower, the wall and two large, round towers of the castle which is surrounded by a moat that is why in French Aubenas is called "La cité des Montlaur". The lords who were not only at the origin of the economic growth of the city, but also the social and material development of its residents. Their motto was: "Montlaur, au plus haut!".

Renaissance

During the Renaissance, the city became Protestant, and after the third war of religion, the residents refused to allow royal troops within the city walls.

Local government

The Mayor of Aubenas is Jean-Pierre Constant. He entered office in 2006.

Economy

Saint-Benoît Cathedral
The valley of Ardèche, seen from the ramparts of Aubenas
view of the quarter "Pont d'Aubenas"
The train station of Aubenas

Aubenas is the seat of the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie Ardèche Méridionale. It is also the seat of the Centre de formation d'apprentis (CFA) et is a training centre.

Aubenas is a city which survives today on commerce, tourism, and food manufacturing companies, producing things like cheese, chestnuts and other foodstuffs, the likes of which one might find in a delicatessen. It is also close to the commune of Lanas, which is home to a small aeroport (an aerodome).

The city hosted the arrival of the Tour de France on 24 July 2009, the day prior to the climbing of mount Ventoux.

The City

The city hall which is situated in the city centre is surrounded by many paved roads, this is also the highest part of the city, it overlooks the medieval castle that overlooks the valley of the Ardèche.

The city had a railway until 1969 for passengers and until 1988 for goods. The line Vogüé-Lalevade-d'Ardèche. The station still sells tickets for the SNCF.

Since 4 June 2007, the service "tout'enbus" of the community of the communes of Pays d'Aubenas-Vals has also worked in the commune of Aubenas, Saint-Privat, Ucel and Vals-les-Bains.

Places and monuments

Personalities

Twin towns

Aubenas is twinned with:

See also

References

    External links

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