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Celles, Hérault

Coordinates: 43°39′41″N 03°20′27″E / 43.66139°N 3.34083°E / 43.66139; 3.34083
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Celles
Celles
Celles
Location of Celles
Map
Celles is located in France
Celles
Celles
Celles is located in Occitanie
Celles
Celles
Coordinates: 43°39′41″N 03°20′27″E / 43.66139°N 3.34083°E / 43.66139; 3.34083
CountryFrance
RegionOccitania
DepartmentHérault
ArrondissementLodève
CantonLodève
IntercommunalityLodévois et Larzac
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Joëlle Goudal[1]
Area
1
7.56 km2 (2.92 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
27
 • Density3.6/km2 (9.2/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
34072 /34700
Elevation89–350 m (292–1,148 ft)
(avg. 100 m or 330 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Celles (French pronunciation: [sɛl] ; Occitan: Cèlas) is a commune in the Hérault department in southern France.

History

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Leudaire of the jurisdiction of Clermont

The village sits on the bank of Lac du Salagou. When the dam that created the lake was built (1964–68), the intention was to raise the water level in two stages—first to 139m, then to 150m. The second stage would have engulfed the village of Celles, which is at a mean altitude of 144m, and accordingly the village and its vineyards were officially abandoned. The first stage of water level left the water lapping at the foot of the village without encroaching on any structures. The second stage was never implemented, so a few villagers re-occupied the Mairie, repairing public buildings in order that the status of Celles as a commune would be preserved. However, the French authorities are allowing the village to decay and all buildings except the Mairie and the church are in ruins. It is a popular place for fishing and picnics.

In 1990, the city council, hoping to "move" the department to revitalize the village, called on the general council, owner of the ruins, to secure them in the name of public safety. The expected result - the restoration of the houses - actually led to a crystallization action of the village, with a concreting of the ridges and laying fences around the houses. It was not until 1996 that the department took the official decision to permanently maintain the rating 139. From the beginning, some of the former inhabitants fought to maintain the status of commune in Celles, and regularly maintained and renovated communal buildings, not expropriable

The ruined village has served as a backdrop for several feature film scenes, notably the 1985 thriller Zone Rouge (Red Zone).

Possible repopulation

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In September 2017 a scheme was announced for the repopulation of Celles. The village will be partially rebuilt, connected to the water and telephone systems, and 119 people will move in in time for the 50th anniversary of the abandonment, September 2019.[3]

Map

Population

[edit]
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1968 29—    
1975 5−22.21%
1982 10+10.41%
1990 14+4.30%
1999 20+4.04%
2009 22+0.96%
2014 35+9.73%
2020 30−2.54%
Source: INSEE[4]

Politics and administration

[edit]
Town hall of Celles
Election Mayor Party Occupation
1971 Henri Goudal SE
1977
1983
1989
1995 Joëlle Goudal SE Trader
2001
2008
2014

See also

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Further reading

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References

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  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 2 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ Celles, le village sauvé des eaux du Salagou, va renaître --France Bleu Hérault, 28 September 2017
  4. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE