Chomérac

Chomérac
Chomérac
Administration
Country	France
Region	Rhône-Alpes
Department	Ardèche
Arrondissement	Privas
Canton	Chomérac
Intercommunality	Privas Rhône et Vallées
Mayor	Noël Bouverat (2008–2014)
Statistics
Elevation	135–620 m (443–2,030 ft) (avg. 200 m/660 ft)
Land area1	18.94 km2 (7.31 sq mi)
Population2	2,689  (2008)
- Density	142 /km2 (370 /sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code	07066/ 07210
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.

Coordinates: 44°42′34″N 4°39′43″E / 44.7094444444°N 4.66194444444°E / 44.7094444444; 4.66194444444

Chomérac is a commune in the Ardèche department in southern France.

Situated approximately 8 km (5.0 mi) from Ardèche's capital, Privas, its location in the centre of the Ardèche makes it an ideal location for tourists.

Geography

Chomérac is located on the eastern foothills of the Massif Central, 10 km (6.2 mi) away from the Rhône, in the valley built by the Payre and Vérone rivers. South is the basaltic plateau of Coirons, North are the limestone hills of Grads.

History

As a natural pathway from Rhône valley to the Massif Central mountains, Chomérac has been inhabited for a very long time. As soon as Middle Paleolithic, people settle in caves. Later, Romans live in Chomérac (tegulae, villa and Roman road were found in the village).

Chomérac is severely affected by the French Wars of Religion. In 1621, the village belongs to the catholic Duke of Ventadour. Besieged, it is occupied by the Protestant Monsieur de Blacons on October 14, 1621. Alternately besieged by both parts, its occupants change six times, till the siege of 1628, when the Catholics definitely take over the village from the Huguenots. This position will be helpful in 1629, for the siege of Privas led by the king Louis XIII and the Cardinal Richelieu.

Population

Historical population of Chomérac

1962	1968	1975	1982	1990	1999	2008
1550	1702	1686	1968	2306	2450	2689

Economy

Industry starts early in Chomérac, thanks to silk manufactures (up to 15 silk throwing mills in the 19th century) and the marble quarry, which delivers the whole region and even abroads.

See also

• Communes of the Ardèche department

References

• INSEE