Celles, Hérault
| Celles | |
|---|---|
| Commune | |
 Celles | |
  Celles Location within Occitanie region  Celles | |
| Coordinates: 43°39′41″N 3°20′27″E / 43.6614°N 3.3408°ECoordinates: 43°39′41″N 3°20′27″E / 43.6614°N 3.3408°E | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Occitanie |
| Department | Hérault |
| Arrondissement | Lodève |
| Canton | Lodève |
| Intercommunality | Lodévois et Larzac |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2008–2014) | Joëlle Goudal Brandalac |
| Area1 | 7.56 km2 (2.92 sq mi) |
| Population (2011)2 | 25 |
| • Density | 3.3/km2 (8.6/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 34072 /34700 |
| Elevation |
89–350 m (292–1,148 ft) (avg. 100 m or 330 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. | |
Celles (in the Occitan language Cèlas) is a commune in the Hérault department in southern France.
The village sits on the bank of Lac du Salagou. When the barrage that created the lake was built (1964–68), the intention was to raise the water level in two stages—first to 139m, then to 150m. The second stage would have engulfed the village of Celles, which is at a mean altitude of 144m, and accordingly the village and its vineyards were officially abandoned. The first stage of water level left the water lapping at the foot of the village without encroaching on any structures. The second stage was never implemented, so a few villagers re-occupied the Mairie, repairing public buildings in order that the status of Celles as a commune would be preserved. However, the French authorities are allowing the village to decay and all buildings except the Mairie and the church are in ruins. It is a popular place for fishing and picnics.
The ruined village has served as a backdrop for several feature film scenes, notably the 1985 thriller Zone Rouge (Red Zone).
Possible repopulation
In September 2017 a scheme was announced for the repopulation of Celles. The village will be partially rebuilt, connected to the water and telephone systems, and 119 people will move in in time for the 50th anniversary of the abandonment, September 2019.[1]
Population
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1962 | 50 | — |
| 1968 | 29 | −42.0% |
| 1975 | 5 | −82.8% |
| 1982 | 10 | +100.0% |
| 1990 | 14 | +40.0% |
| 1999 | 20 | +42.9% |
| 2009 | 22 | +10.0% |
| 2011 | 25 | +13.6% |
See also
References
- ↑ Celles, le village sauvé des eaux du Salagou, va renaître --France Bleu Hérault, 28 September 2017
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Celles (Hérault). |
