Chirac, Lozère

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Coordinates: 44°31′29″N 3°15′58″E / 44.52472, 3.26611

Commune of Chirac
Location
Image:Paris_plan_pointer_b_jms.gif
Map highlighting the commune of
Administration
Country France
Region Languedoc-Roussillon
Department Lozère
Arrondissement Mende
Canton Canton de Saint-Germain-du-Teil
Intercommunality Communauté de communes du Gévaudan
Mayor Gilbert Reversat
(2001-2008)
Statistics
Elevation 605 m–1 254 m
(avg. 640 m)
Land area¹ 3 379 km²
Miscellaneous
INSEE/Postal code 48049/ 48100
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
France

Chirac is a commune of south central France, in the department of Lozère.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Situated on the banks of the Colagne river in the the heart of the Massif central. The D809 road passes through the village

[edit] History

[edit] Population

Population Growth
1962 1968 1975 1982 1990 1999
801 789 689 894 983 1006
Census count starting from 1962 : Population without double counting

[edit] Places and monuments

  • The Fare dolmen
  • The 12th century Romanesque church.
  • The chapel of Saint-Jean-Baptiste.
  • The family chapels of the Chazette and the Volmanières
  • The English cross: The English, who ravaged the country in the 14th century, were soundly beaten in a battle on the heights of the village. This place carries today the name of Cemetery of the English’’ or Cross of the English’’. A cross, on which there’s an inscription "CH of the M" and "1701 - 1922", marks the site of the battle. During the construction of the new motorway, the A75, the cross was renovated and moved a few metres from its original position.
  • The bridge over the Colagne river.

[edit] Activities

As in the majority of the towns of Lozère, the principal activity is farming, although service industry sectors have started to play a larger part in the region.

  • Farming is essentially sheep and cattle. The size of the upland meadows allows the farmers to have comparatively large flocks.
  • From an industrial point of view, the town is trailing a little. Some crafts and trades are represented:
    • Butcher Shop,
    • Delicatessen,
    • Plumbing,
    • Roofer,
    • Carpenter,
    • Engineer,
  • Despite its size, Chirac possesses a thriving commercial sector.
    • A Physotherapist,
    • A General Practice doctor
    • A Pharmacy
    • Fire station
    • 2 retirement homes and 2 care homes
    • A general store
    • Post office
    • 2 Primary schools and a High school
    • Public library
    • A nursery / kindergarten and youth club
    • Butchers, bakers and a pizzeria.

[edit] Personalities linked to the town

  • Colonel Marceau Crespin ( 1915 - 1988), native of Chirac
  • Nicolaï Greschny (September 1912 - April 1985), artist

[edit] See also

[edit] External links