Ners

Ners

Coat of arms
Ners

Coordinates: 44°01′38″N 4°09′34″E / 44.0272°N 4.1594°ECoordinates: 44°01′38″N 4°09′34″E / 44.0272°N 4.1594°E
Country France
Region Languedoc-Roussillon
Department Gard
Arrondissement Alès
Canton Vézénobres
Intercommunality Région de Vézénobres
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Patrice Pupet
Area1 4.96 km2 (1.92 sq mi)
Population (2008)2 672
 • Density 140/km2 (350/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 30188 / 30360
Elevation 79–181 m (259–594 ft)
(avg. 123 m or 404 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.

Ners is a commune in the Gard department in southern France.

History

Ners is part of a territory inhabited long before the Roman presence in the region.

The village is located along the ancient road 'voie Régordane' going from Saint-Gilles to Puy-en-Velay. Along this road traders, pilgrims, crusaders and knights crossed the river Gardon.

In 1211 Ners is first time reported as a place of residence with the "castrum nercium" - a watchtower of the twelfth century. This tower was probably constructed as an outpost to the village of Vezenobres as well as to protect the few habitants in the village. The tower was gradually expanded and in 1480 it retained its castle walls and is to be considered the oldest building in the village.

Etymology

Etymologically the name can be derived from "Nertius", a Gallo-Roman person with great prestige in ancient times. A manuscript from 1247 mentions the name "Nercium" and in 1547 "Ners".

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1789425—    
1856561+32.0%
1901403−28.2%
1954354−12.2%
1962347−2.0%
1968357+2.9%
1975362+1.4%
1982473+30.7%
1990544+15.0%
1999618+13.6%
2008672+8.7%

See also

References

    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ners.