Commune in Occitania, France
| Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens | |
|---|---|
| Commune | |
 A general view of Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens | |
 Coat of arms | |
| Location of Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens | |
  Saint-Pons-de-MauchiensShow map of France Saint-Pons-de-MauchiensShow map of Occitanie | |
| Coordinates: 43°30′51″N 3°30′53″E / 43.5142°N 3.5147°E / 43.5142; 3.5147 | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Occitania |
| Department | Hérault |
| Arrondissement | Béziers |
| Canton | Mèze |
| Intercommunality | CA Hérault Méditerranée |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2020–2026) | Christine Pradel |
| Area | 13.58 km (5.24 sq mi) |
| Population | 641 |
| • Density | 47/km (120/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 34285 /34230 |
| Elevation | 18–185 m (59–607 ft) (avg. 100 m or 330 ft) |
| French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens (French pronunciation: [sɛ̃ pɔ̃s də moʃjɛ̃]; Occitan: Sant Ponç de Mauchins) is a commune in the Hérault department in the Occitanie region in southern France.
Geography
A tiny village perched on a hill, St. Pons de Mauchiens is a typical example of the circulade type of village dating back to the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The Bishops of Agde built the city castle in 1199. A fine mill, the "Moulin de Roquemengarde" on the river Hérault is only 4 km away. To really escape from the modern world, there is a recently restored footpath (17 km), nicely marked, leading from the village environs right out into the hilly garrigue countryside, perfumed with thyme, lavender and rosemary.
History
There is a legend about the village's name. One of the castle's lords owned a pack of ferocious dogs ("chiens" in French) that he let loose at nightfall. One day, he arrived home late and the castle doors were locked. The dogs did not recognize their master, savagely attacking his throat, tearing him to pieces. His last words were "Mauvais chiens !" The village is called St-Pons-de-MAUCHIENS, machines being an abbreviation of 'Mauvais chiens'.
Population
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 499 | — |
| 1968 | 511 | +2.4% |
| 1975 | 416 | −18.6% |
| 1982 | 411 | −1.2% |
| 1990 | 399 | −2.9% |
| 1999 | 513 | +28.6% |
| 2008 | 619 | +20.7% |
Sport
Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens has Hérault's only cricket club, allowing league and friendly play against visiting touring sides. The club also demonstrates and coaches cricket in local village schools.
Personalities
- Marie Sagnier, born 28 February 1898 in St-Pons-de-Mauchiens, died 1996. Righteous among the Nations for saving Jewish children in her then primary school at Murat (Cantal), Auvergne In French
See also
References
- "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
- "Populations de référence 2022" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 19 December 2024.
External links
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