Belcastel, Aveyron

Belcastel

15th-century bridge

Coat of arms
Belcastel

Coordinates: 44°23′22″N 2°20′16″E / 44.3894°N 2.3378°E / 44.3894; 2.3378Coordinates: 44°23′22″N 2°20′16″E / 44.3894°N 2.3378°E / 44.3894; 2.3378
Country France
Region Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées
Department Aveyron
Arrondissement Rodez
Canton Rignac
Intercommunality Pays Rignacois
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Claude Cayla
Area1 10.74 km2 (4.15 sq mi)
Population (2008)2 228
 • Density 21/km2 (55/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 12024 / 12390
Elevation 391–707 m (1,283–2,320 ft)
(avg. 450 m or 1,480 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.

Belcastel (Bèl Castèl in Occitan) is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.

The village is medieval in character, with cobbled streets and lauze-roofed (stone tiled) houses. The bulk of the village and the castle (Château de Belcastel) are situated on the steep north bank of the Aveyron river. Several buildings including the 15th-century church are on the south side of the river, with a similarly aged bridge (pictured) connecting the two. A ruined fort can also be found about a kilometre west of the village on the south bank of the river. It was nominated as one of the "most beautiful villages of France" (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France), and the local council regularly hosts watercolour competitions and art exhibitions during the summer.

General view

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1962279—    
1968280+0.4%
1975266−5.0%
1982249−6.4%
1990245−1.6%
1999251+2.4%
2008228−9.2%

See also

References

    External links

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