Alès

Alès
AlesCathedralStJohntheBaptist.JPG
Alès Cathedral
Alès is located in France
Alès
Administration
Country France
Region Languedoc-Roussillon
Department Gard
Arrondissement Alès
Canton 3 cantons
Intercommunality Grand Alès en Cévennes
Mayor Max Roustan
(2001–2008)
Statistics
Elevation 116–356 m (381–1,168 ft)
(avg. 150 m/490 ft)
Land area1 23.16 km2 (8.94 sq mi)
Population2 41,054  (2000)
 - Density 1,773 /km2 (4,590 /sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 30007/ 30100
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
2 Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.
Fountain
Statue of Pasteur

Alès (Alès in Occitan) is a commune in southern France, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. It is one of the sub-prefectures of the Gard department. It was formerly known as Alais.

Contents

Geography

Alès lies 40 km N.N.W. of Nîmes, on the left bank of the Gardon River, which half surrounds it. It is located at the foot of the Cévennes, near the Cévennes National Park.

History

In the 16th century Alès was an important Huguenot centre. In 1629 the town was taken by Louis XIII, and by the Peace of Alais the Huguenots gave up their right to places de sûreté (garrison towns) and other privileges. A bishopric was established there in 1694 but suppressed in 1790.

Historical population: 18,987 inhabitants in 1906.

Economy

Alès is the center of a mining district and hosts the École des mines d'Alès.

According to the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition (1911):

"The town is one of the most important markets for raw silk and cocoons in the south of France, and the Gardon supplies power to numerous silk-mills. It is also the centre of a mineral field, which yields large quantities of coal, iron, zinc and lead; its blast-furnaces, foundries, glass-works and engineering works afford employment to many workmen."

Sights

According to the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition (1911):

"The streets are wide and its promenades and fine plane-trees make the town attractive; but the public buildings, the chief of which are the Saint-Jean-Baptiste cathedral, a heavy building of the 18th century, and the citadel, which serves as barracks and prison, are of small interest."

Historical scientists

"Pasteur prosecuted his investigations into the silkworm disease (pébrine and flacherie) at Alès, and the town has dedicated a bust to his memory. There is also a statue of the chemist J.B. Dumas."

Other sights

Notable people

Alès was the birthplace of:

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Alès is twinned with:

References

External links

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