- Nant, Aveyron
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Nant
NantAdministration Country France Region Midi-Pyrénées Department Aveyron Arrondissement Millau Canton Nant Intercommunality Larzac Dourbie Mayor Bernard Saquet
(2008–2014)Statistics Elevation 421–926 m (1,381–3,038 ft)
(avg. 500 m/1,600 ft)Land area1 109.4 km2 (42.2 sq mi) Population2 920 (2008) - Density 8 /km2 (21 /sq mi) INSEE/Postal code 12168/ 12230 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°01′18″N 3°18′02″E / 44.0217°N 3.3006°E
Nant is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.
Contents
Geography
The commune is located in the southern part of the Massif Central. It includes a part of the causse du Larzac plateau and its foothills, the valley of the Durzon river and a part of the valley of the Dourbie river.
History
In the 10th century, monks drained the marshy soil of the Durzon valley where it joins the Dourbie, using a network of stone-lined canals. They started agriculture in the district. In 926 AD they built a monastery at the confluence of the two watercourses. In 1135 the monastery became an abbey. The economy and the local population grew and the village of Nant grew up around the abbey.
During the Wars of Religion the cloister and the monastic buildings were destroyed, but the village had a period of prosperity again during the second half of the 17th century. The halles in the main square hosted local fairs and a flourishing market. An ecclesiastical college was founded in the village in 1665, until the abbey was suppressed in 1771 by royal decree. The Eglisle-Abbatiale of Saint Pierre de Nant contains stained glass windows by the artist Jean Hugo, who had a family home in the nearby Durzon valley.
Population
Historical population of Nant, Aveyron 1793 1800 1806 1821 1831 1836 1841 1846 1851 1856 1550 2271 2761 2980 3203 3419 3134 3445 3038 2953 1861 1866 1872 1876 1881 1886 1891 1896 1901 1906 3106 3117 2986 2624 2501 2596 2681 2171 2103 1977 1911 1921 1926 1931 1936 1946 1954 1962 1968 1975 1819 1801 1659 1592 1547 1274 1105 1057 1016 959 1982 1990 1999 2008 972 773 846 920 Economy
The local economy is characterised by traditional agriculture based on sheep farming for the production of Roquefort, Pérail and Tomme cheeses, as well as the fattening of veal and lamb for domestic consumption. There is some diversification towards aquaculture, beekeeping, the production of firewood and rural tourism.
Local farmers sell their produce in the open air market in the village. (The market hall is currently occupied by the terrace of a café). Merchants selling other food items also attend the market. A market exclusively for farmers is being planned.
Leisure activities also influence the local economy: horse-riding, holiday rental accommodation, camping, hiking, mountain biking and both coarse and game fishing. There is a municipal swimming pool. The wild boar hunting season opens each year on the 15th of August.
Two retirement homes are also located in the commune.
See also
Photo gallery
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Pont de la Prade in Nant
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Nant: The fortified belltower of the church
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The primary school in Nant, named « Roc Nantais »
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(with the "Roc Nantais" in the background
Categories:- Communes of Aveyron
- Aveyron geography stubs
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