Lunel

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Lunel
Town hall

Coat of arms
Lunel
Coordinates: 43°40′40″N 4°08′10″E / 43.6778°N 4.1361°E / 43.6778; 4.1361Coordinates: 43°40′40″N 4°08′10″E / 43.6778°N 4.1361°E / 43.6778; 4.1361
Country France
Region Languedoc-Roussillon
Department Hérault
Arrondissement Montpellier
Canton Lunel
Intercommunality Pays de Lunel
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Claude Arnaud
Area
 • Land1 23.90 km2 (9.23 sq mi)
Population (2008)
 • Population2 24,417
 • Population2 Density 1,000/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 34145 / 34400
Elevation 2–53 m (6.6–173.9 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.

Lunel is a commune in the Hérault department in southern France. According to legend, Lunel was founded by Jews from Jericho in first century[1] and an ancient synagogue may be seen there.

Map

Lunel is located 21 km (13 mi) east of Montpellier and 28 km (17 mi) southwest of Nîmes (Gard).

History

The ancient Roman site of Ambrussum is located nearby. The troubadour Folquet de Lunel was from Lunel.

Lunel was a centre of Jewish learning. It is thought that the family of Rashi (1040–1105), the great Rabbi and commentator, originated in Lunel. Other scholars include Jonathan of Lunel, Meshullam ben Jacob of Lunel, Abraham ben David who taught in Lunel before moving to Posquières, and Asher ben Meshullam of Lunel.

Lunel was the birthplace of Louis Feuillade (1873–1925), film director from the silent era. The artist Jean Hugo lived in the Lunel area for most of his life and painted scenes from the surrounding coutryside. The Parc Jean Hugo in the centre of the town was named after him.

Population

Historical population of Lunel
Year1793180018061821183118361841184618511856
Population4170422741965554626063206385663963926712
Year1861186618721876188118861891189619011906
Population6737698972818315648766676793720375327489
Year191119211926193119361946195419621968
Population7730753982688435766577757758887210,735
Year19751982199019992008
Population13,45215,64818,40422,35224,417

See also

References

  1. ↑ Farber, J.B. (2013). The Pope's Jews in Provence: Itineraries. Arles: Editions Actes Sud. ISBN 2330018975. 

External links

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