Saint-Pons-de-Thomières

Saint-Pons-de-Thomières

Coat of arms
Saint-Pons-de-Thomières

Coordinates: 43°29′22″N 2°45′39″E / 43.4894°N 2.7608°ECoordinates: 43°29′22″N 2°45′39″E / 43.4894°N 2.7608°E
Country France
Region Languedoc-Roussillon
Department Hérault
Arrondissement Béziers
Canton Saint-Pons-de-Thomières
Intercommunality Pays Saint-Ponais
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Kléber Mesquida
Area1 40.99 km2 (15.83 sq mi)
Population (2008)2 2,121
 • Density 52/km2 (130/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 34284 / 34220
Elevation 273–1,026 m (896–3,366 ft)
(avg. 301 m or 988 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.

Saint-Pons-de-Thomières is a commune in the Hérault department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France.

History

It is named after its patron saint, Saint Pontius of Cimiez (Pons de Cimiez in French), martyr under Emperor Valerian, who is venerated throughout the diocese of Montpellier.

The Abbey of St-Pons was founded in 936 by Raymond, Count of Toulouse, who brought to it the monks of Saint Gerald of Aurillac.

By a papal bull of 18 February 1318, Pope John XXII raised the abbey to an episcopal see.

A Brief of 16 June 1877 authorized the bishops of Montpellier to call themselves bishops of Montpellier, Béziers, Agde, Lodève, and Saint-Pons, in memory of the different dioceses united in the present Diocese of Montpellier.

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±%
19622,900—    
19683,267+12.7%
19753,117−4.6%
19822,733−12.3%
19902,566−6.1%
19992,287−10.9%
20082,121−7.3%

See also

References

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