Rodez

Rodez
Rodez F-120.jpg
RodezCathedrale1724.jpg
The western façade of Rodez Cathedral
Rodez is located in France
Rodez
Administration
Country France
Region Midi-Pyrénées
Department Aveyron
Arrondissement Rodez
Canton 3 cantons
Intercommunality Grand Rodez
Mayor Christian Teyssèdre
(2008–2014)
Statistics
Elevation 501–643 m (1,644–2,110 ft)
(avg. 627 m/2,057 ft)
Land area1 11.18 km2 (4.32 sq mi)
Population2 23,707  (1999)
 - Density 2,120 /km2 (5,500 /sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 12202/ 12000
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.

Rodez (Occitan: Rodés) is a city and commune in southern France, in the Aveyron department, of which it is the capital. Its inhabitants are called Ruthenois.

Contents

History

Existing from at least the 5th century BC, Rodez was founded by the Celts. After the Roman occupation, the oppidum (fortified place) was renamed Segodunum, while in late Imperial times it was known as Civitas Rutenorum, whence the modern name. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it was captured by the Visigoths and then by the Franks, being also ravaged by the Arabs in 725. Later it was occupied by the armies of the Dukes of Aquitaine and of the Counts of Toulouse. English troops occupied Rodez during the Hundred Years War.

However, in medieval times the city's history was marked by strong rivalry between the Counts and the Bishops of Rodez, who exerted their authorities in different sectors of the city, divided by a wall. The counts were able to defy the royal French authority until the submission of count John IV by the future King Louis XI in the 15th century. In the following century bishop François d'Estaing built the Rodez Cathedral.

The last count of Rodez, Henry VI of Rodez, who became Henry IV of France, sold his title to Royal Crown in 1589. The city remained a flourishing merchant centre up to the 18th century, but it lost much of its importance when Villefranche-de-Rouergue was made prefecture capital in the wake of the French Revolution.

Main sights

Economy

Rodez is traditionally an agricultural trade center.

Transportation

Rodez is served by the nearby Rodez Marcillac Airport, located on the territory of the commune of Salles-la-Source.

Other

Twin towns

See also

External links