Saint-Affrique (French: [sɛ̃t‿afʁik]; Languedocien: Sant Africa) is a commune in the Aveyron department in Southern France.

Saint-Affrique
The bridge and church in Saint-Affrique
The bridge and church in Saint-Affrique
Coat of arms of Saint-Affrique
Location of Saint-Affrique
Map
Saint-Affrique is located in France
Saint-Affrique
Saint-Affrique
Saint-Affrique is located in Occitanie
Saint-Affrique
Saint-Affrique
Coordinates: 43°57′33″N 2°53′14″E / 43.9592°N 2.8872°E / 43.9592; 2.8872
CountryFrance
RegionOccitania
DepartmentAveyron
ArrondissementMillau
CantonSaint-Affrique
Government
 • Mayor (2021–2026) Sébastien David[1]
Area
1
110.96 km2 (42.84 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
7,992
 • Density72/km2 (190/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
12208 /12400
Elevation279–720 m (915–2,362 ft)
(avg. 330 m or 1,080 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

History edit

Saint-Affrique grew in the 6th century around the tomb of St. Africain, bishop of Comminges. In the 12th century a fortress was built on the neighboring rock of Caylus. The possession of Saint-Affrique was vigorously contested during the French Wars of Religion. It was eventually occupied by the Huguenots until 1629, when it was seized and dismantled by a royal army.

Geography edit

The Sorgues, a tributary of the Dourdou de Camarès, flows through the commune and crosses the town. The Dourdou de Camarès flows northwestward through the western part of the commune and forms part of its northwestern border.

Population edit

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1793 3,578—    
1800 4,616+3.71%
1806 5,348+2.48%
1821 6,008+0.78%
1831 6,336+0.53%
1836 6,421+0.27%
1841 6,208−0.67%
1846 6,760+1.72%
1851 6,618−0.42%
1856 6,760+0.43%
1861 6,807+0.14%
1866 7,046+0.69%
1872 7,214+0.39%
1876 7,622+1.38%
1881 7,598−0.06%
1886 7,177−1.13%
1891 7,223+0.13%
1896 7,026−0.55%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1901 6,699−0.95%
1906 6,571−0.39%
1911 6,495−0.23%
1921 6,211−0.45%
1926 6,181−0.10%
1931 6,592+1.30%
1936 6,881+0.86%
1946 7,455+0.80%
1954 7,236−0.37%
1962 7,142−0.16%
1968 7,674+1.20%
1975 8,223+0.99%
1982 8,475+0.43%
1990 7,798−1.04%
1999 7,507−0.42%
2007 8,067+0.90%
2012 8,255+0.46%
2017 8,089−0.41%
Source: EHESS[3] and INSEE (1968-2017)[4]

Sights edit

An old bridge over the Sorgue and some megaliths in the neighborhood, especially, the dolmen of Tiergues, are of antiquarian interest.

Personalities edit

Saint-Affrique was the birthplace of:

International relations edit

Saint-Affrique prize edit

The Grand Prix of Saint-Affrique has been awarded to noted Parisian painters since the second part of the 20th century. It consists of a month-long stay of at the hotel of famous chef François Decucq during which the painters could visit and paint one of the most beautiful counties in France. Some prize winners: Daniel du Janerand, Maurice Boitel.

See also edit

References edit

  •   This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainChisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "St Affrique". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 23 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 1011.
  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 4 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021". The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ Des villages de Cassini aux communes d'aujourd'hui: Commune data sheet Saint-Affrique, EHESS (in French).
  4. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE

External links edit