Chomérac

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Chomérac
Town hall
Chomérac
Coordinates: 44°42′34″N 4°39′43″E / 44.7094°N 4.6619°E / 44.7094; 4.6619Coordinates: 44°42′34″N 4°39′43″E / 44.7094°N 4.6619°E / 44.7094; 4.6619
Country France
Region Rhône-Alpes
Department Ardèche
Arrondissement Privas
Canton Chomérac
Intercommunality Privas Rhône et Vallées
Government
  Mayor (20082014) Noël Bouverat
Area
  Land1 18.94 km2 (7.31 sq mi)
Population (2008)
  Population2 2,689
  Population2 Density 140/km2 (370/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 07066 / 07210
Elevation 135–620 m (443–2,034 ft)
(avg. 200 m or 660 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.

Chomérac is a commune in the Ardèche department in southern France.

Situated approximately 8 km (5.0 mi) from Ardèche's capital, Privas, its location in the centre of the Ardèche makes it an ideal location for tourists.

Geography

Chomérac is located on the eastern foothills of the Massif Central, 10 km (6.2 mi) away from the Rhône, in the valley built by the Payre and Vérone rivers. South is the basaltic plateau of Coirons, North are the limestone hills of Grads.

History

As a natural pathway from Rhône valley to the Massif Central mountains, Chomérac has been inhabited for a very long time. As soon as Middle Paleolithic, people settle in caves. Later, Romans live in Chomérac (tegulae, villa and Roman road were found in the village).

Chomérac is severely affected by the French Wars of Religion. In 1621, the village belongs to the catholic Duke of Ventadour. Besieged, it is occupied by the Protestant Monsieur de Blacons on October 14, 1621. Alternately besieged by both parts, its occupants change six times, till the siege of 1628, when the Catholics definitely take over the village from the Huguenots. This position will be helpful in 1629, for the siege of Privas led by the king Louis XIII and the Cardinal Richelieu.

Population

Historical population
Year Pop.  ±%  
1962 1,550    
1968 1,702+9.8%
1975 1,686−0.9%
1982 1,968+16.7%
1990 2,306+17.2%
1999 2,450+6.2%
2008 2,689+9.8%

Economy

Industry starts early in Chomérac, thanks to silk manufactures (up to 15 silk throwing mills in the 19th century) and the marble quarry, which delivers to the whole region and even abroad.

See also

References

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