Pailhès, Ariège

Pailhès
Pailhès
Administration
Country France
Region Midi-Pyrénées
Department Ariège
Arrondissement Pamiers
Canton Le Fossat
Intercommunality Vallée de la Lèze
Mayor Yvon Lassalle
(2008–2014)
Statistics
Elevation 267–532 m (876–1,745 ft)
(avg. 287 m/942 ft)
Land area1 21.52 km2 (8.31 sq mi)
Population2 383  (2008)
 - Density 18 /km2 (47 /sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 09224/ 09130
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.

Pailhès is a commune in the Ariège department in southwestern France.

Contents

Geography

The Lèze flows northwest through the southeastern part of the commune, crosses the village, then flows north through the middle of the commune.

History

It is one of the villages that provide a bridge over the river Lèze. As such it was of military significance in the Middle Ages, which resulted in the Chateau of Pailhes being built on the hill overlooking the river. The chateau was built in the 12th century by the Comte de Foix and reached a high point when King Henri II of France stayed the night there. Many of the present day villagers now claim royal descent as a result of this visit.

The ancient village can still be seen at the foot of the chateau while the more modern buildings are across the river.

The chateau has recently been purchased by the local historical society who are in the process of renovating it.

Transport

Pailhès was at one end of the monorail which ran from Toulouse along the valley of the Lèze. Unfortunately this unique railway line was torn up in the inter-war years, though the stations can still be seen in each of the villages of the Lèze.

Population

Inhabitants of Pailhès are called Pailhésiens.

Historical population of Pailhès, Ariège
Year 1962 1968 1975 1982 1990 1999 2008
Population 347 365 322 307 281 297 383

See also

References