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Gourdon (French pronunciation: [ɡuʁdɔ̃] ; Occitan: Gordon) is a rural commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in Southeastern France. The village of Gourdon is best known for the panoramic views it offers visitors. It is a member of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (The Most Beautiful Villages of France) Association.
Gourdon
Gordon (Occitan) | |
|---|---|
 A general view of Gourdon | |
 Coat of arms | |
Location of Gourdon  | |
  Gourdon  Gourdon | |
| Coordinates: 43°43′13″N 6°58′43″E / 43.72028°N 6.97861°E | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur |
| Department | Alpes-Maritimes |
| Arrondissement | Grasse |
| Canton | Valbonne |
| Intercommunality | CA Sophia Antipolis |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2020–2026) | Eric Mele[1] |
Area 1 | 22.53 km2 (8.70 sq mi) |
| Population (2021)[2] | 368 |
| • Density | 16/km2 (42/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 06068 /06620 |
| Elevation | 157–1,335 m (515–4,380 ft) |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
History and geography
editIn the distant past, this isolated rock was used as a place of refuge and defence. Gourdon, as it appears to us today, gives a good example of a Feudal village. It is built on a peak with impressive slopes down to the river Loup. There is only one entrance, from which you can access the main street. In former times, it was defended by a simple and harmonious Roman gate, that had been demolished at the beginning of the 20th century. Thick, high ramparts close off the North side, which is the only point from which the village can be approached.
Demographics
edit| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 242 | — |
| 1975 | 254 | +0.69% |
| 1982 | 231 | −1.35% |
| 1990 | 294 | +3.06% |
| 1999 | 379 | +2.86% |
| 2009 | 440 | +1.50% |
| 2014 | 404 | −1.69% |
| 2020 | 371 | −1.41% |
| Source: INSEE[3] | ||
Tourism
editThe castle is one of Gourdon's most important features. It has been open to visitors since 1950, and was classed as an historical monument in 1971. Its magnificent gardens were designed by André Le Nôtre. Its architecture dates from the ninth century.
Filmography
editCertain scenes of Les Misérables (2012) were filmed at Gourdon and in the surrounding area.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 4 May 2022.
- ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
- ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
External links
edit
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