Limoux

Limoux (French pronunciation: ​[limu]; Occitan: Limós [liˈmus]) is a commune and subprefecture in the Aude department, a part of the ancient Languedoc province and the present-day Occitanie region in southern France. It lies on the river Aude about 30 km (19 mi) due south of Carcassonne. Its vineyards are famous for being first to produce sparkling wine known as Blanquette de Limoux.

For the wine region, see Limoux wine.

Limoux
Subprefecture and commune
Saint-Martin church and the Pont-neuf in Limoux
Coat of arms
Location of Limoux
Limoux
Limoux
Coordinates: 43°03′28″N 2°13′09″E
CountryFrance
RegionOccitanie
DepartmentAude
ArrondissementLimoux
CantonLa Région Limouxine
Government
 • Mayor (2014–2020) Jean-Paul Dupré (PS)
Area
1
32.41 km2 (12.51 sq mi)
Population
 (2017-01-01)[1]
10,066
 • Density310/km2 (800/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
11206 /11300
Elevation156–740 m (512–2,428 ft)
(avg. 172 m or 564 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Blanquette de Limoux

Blanquette de Limoux is produced around the city of Limoux. The main grape of the wine is Mauzac, followed by Chardonnay and Chenin blanc. Wine historians believe that the world's first sparkling wine was produced in this region in 1531, by the monks at the abbey in Saint-Hilaire, Aude.

Culture

The town is perhaps best known for its Winter festival called Fecos [ˈfekɔs], often referred to (inaccurately) as a Carnival or Fête. It is generally referred to as Carnival de Limoux in French language. It is known for its British expatriate population.[2]

Images
  • Town square
  • Carnival

Sights

The heart of the town is the place de la République, a wide square with some fine stone arcading and a number of timber framed houses. Limoux straddles the River Aude and the banks are lined with grand houses, especially on the eastern side, the so-called Petite Ville (lit. "Small City").

While worth visiting in itself, the town is also a good base for discovering the history of the region and is ideally placed for exploring the coast, the mountains and some good walking country.

Markets
  • Weekly market every Friday (or Thursday if a public holiday falls on a Friday).
  • Flea market or Brocante the first Sunday of each month on the Promenade du Tivoli.
  • Evening markets on Tuesdays in July and August.

Other sights
  • The Musée Petiet (Tourist Information Office),
  • Musée du Piano (Museum of the piano)
  • CathaRama (a history of the Cathar movement).
  • Winery tours at Sieur d'Arques and Aimery.
  • Jardin aux Plantes la Bouichère - Flassian, 2 hectares of gardens which is home to various collections of increasingly rare plant varieties.

Personalities

Limoux was the birthplace of:

  • Francis de Gaston, Chevalier de Levis (1719–1787), Marshal of France
  • Alexandre Guiraud (1788–1847), poet, dramatic author and novelist
  • Poulpard (1981-20**), one of the most famous French stand-up comedians, also writer of several dramatic novels.

See also

Population
Historical population
YearPop.±%
17935,100—    
18005,142+0.8%
18065,723+11.3%
18215,915+3.4%
18316,247+5.6%
18367,105+13.7%
18417,417+4.4%
18467,444+0.4%
18517,776+4.5%
18566,835−12.1%
18616,937+1.5%
18666,770−2.4%
18725,897−12.9%
18766,661+13.0%
18816,283−5.7%
18866,810+8.4%
18916,371−6.4%
18966,684+4.9%
19017,084+6.0%
19067,223+2.0%
19117,010−2.9%
19216,640−5.3%
19267,639+15.0%
19317,797+2.1%
19368,193+5.1%
19467,587−7.4%
19548,334+9.8%
19629,603+15.2%
196810,824+12.7%
197511,101+2.6%
198210,206−8.1%
19909,665−5.3%
19999,411−2.6%
20089,781+3.9%

References
  1. "Populations légales 2017". INSEE. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  2. Astier, Henri (29 November 2018). "The French village that fears for its Brits" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
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