Leucate

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Leucate

Coat of arms
Leucate
Coordinates: 42°54′38″N 3°01′46″E / 42.9105°N 3.0294°E / 42.9105; 3.0294Coordinates: 42°54′38″N 3°01′46″E / 42.9105°N 3.0294°E / 42.9105; 3.0294
Country France
Region Languedoc-Roussillon
Department Aude
Arrondissement Narbonne
Canton Sigean
Intercommunality Corbières en Méditerranée
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Michel Py
Area
 • Land1 23.55 km2 (9.09 sq mi)
Population (2008)
 • Population2 3,858
 • Population2 Density 160/km2 (420/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 11202 / 11370
Elevation 0–70 m (0–230 ft)
(avg. 25 m or 82 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.

Nestled between the Mediterranean sea and sea pond backing the Corbières mountains with an impressive view on the Canigou peak, Leucate is a community of typical villages lying among a unique natural landscape.

Leucate combines history, gastronomical treasures (oysters, wine, seafood) and cultural and sporting events as well as various types of famous festivals all year long.

Leucate, unique place, unique experiences.

Geography

Nudist beach

Leucate is on the Mediterranean coast of France. It is part of the eastern Corbières Mountains, which are called the Corbières maritimes. It is around 30 km (19 mi) south of Narbonne, and around 30 km (19 mi) north of Perpignan.

The Phare du Cap Leucate offers a view (on a clear day) over the whole French Mediterranean Sea from the Spanish border to the Camargue.

Villages

Leucate is composed of five villages:

the first, Leucate Village, cradle of rich local historical heritage lies between a valley, overlooked by a fortress, and a vast geological plateau.

Leucate Village is an invitation for peaceful strolls along its narrow streets, typical of the area.

Leucate Plage at the foot of a steep cliff, hidden from the wind, offers an ideal site for adults and children. The latter are safe to play on the fine and wide sandy beaches.

La Franqui has a retro charm appealing to any visitor. Famous for its beach of Coussoules, 8 km of golden sand, this site offers the possibility to practice windsurfing, kitesurfing and any other wind related activity. Another alternative is to lay down and relax as the famous Henry de Monfreid would have done when he lived in La Franqui.

The naturist villages are a distinct part of Port Leucate. These villages are the guardian of the intimacy of those who feel free naked.

Port Leucate although inhabited during the prehistorical era, has a quite recent history which starts in the 60’s with the ‘Racine’ commission. The particular location of this long land of sand between the Mediterranean sea and sea ponds allowed the construction of a marina composed of 1,200 moorings welcoming holidaymakers and seafarers all year long. Port Leucate also boasts a vast and welcoming beach.

Population

Historical population
Year Pop.  ±%  
1962 1,077—    
1968 1,233+14.5%
1975 1,244+0.9%
1982 1,968+58.2%
1990 2,177+10.6%
1999 2,732+25.5%
2008 3,858+41.2%

Personalities

See also

Sources

  • Nöel Hautemanière and Jacques Hiron: Leucate : plein cadre; livre de photographies. Toreilles, 2004, ISBN 2-9516053-3-1.
  • Christophe Neff: Kulturlandschaftswandel, Fremdenverkehr und Biodiversität auf der Halbinsel Leucate (Dept. Aude / Frankreich). In: Fremdenverkehrsgebiete des Mittelmeerraumes im Umbruch. Beiträge der Tagung des Arbeitskreises "Geographische Mittelmeerländer-Forschung“ vom 11.-13. Oktober 1996 in Regensburg. Regensburger Geographische Schriften, Heft 27, S. 99-135, Regensburg, 1998, ISBN 3-88246-193-4
  • Christophe Neff : Observation géographiques et floristiques sur la presqu'île de Leucate. In: Bul. Soc. Et. Sc. Nat. Nîmes et Gard, T. 62, 1999, 23-34.
  • Christophe Neff and Peter Frankenberg : Reflexions géobotaniques sur les plantes échappees de jardins: L´example de Euphorbia dendroides et d´autres espèces ornementales dans la région de Leucate et dans les Corbières maritimes (Aude, France). In : Bul. Soc. Et. Sc. Nat. Nîmes et Gard, T. 63, 2001, 7- 10.
  • Christophe Neff : Les Corbières maritimes – forment-elles un étage de végétation méditerranéenne thermophile masqué par la pression humaine ? In: Eric Fouache (Edit.): The Mediterranean World Environment and History. IAG Working Group on Geo-archeology, Symposium Proceedings. Environmental Dynamics and History in Mediterranean Areas, Paris, Université de Paris – Sorbonne 24 – 26 avril 2002. Paris, 2003, 191 – 202, (Elsevier France, ISBN 2-84299-452-3).

References

    External links

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