Soubès

Soubès is a commune in the Hérault department in Occitanie in southern France, situated on a hill near the confluence of the Brèze and Suberbet rivers.

Soubès
Commune
Location of Soubès
Soubès
Soubès
Coordinates: 43°46′04″N 3°20′49″E
CountryFrance
RegionOccitanie
DepartmentHérault
ArrondissementLodève
CantonLodève
IntercommunalityLodévois-Larzac
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) José Pozo
Area
1
12.35 km2 (4.77 sq mi)
Population
 (2017-01-01)[1]
931
 • Density75/km2 (200/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Soubésiens
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
34304 /34700
Elevation190–733 m (623–2,405 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

The village dates from the 12th Century, and even today only one main street, the Coural, is suitable for motor traffic. The ancient city walls are visible in many places. The village has two châteaux, a church, two schools, a Mairie, a café (Café du Terral), a small post office and a general store. A modern[2] sports and social centre lies just outside the village proper, the other side of the D25 road to Ganges.

Economy

Until very recent times the village was surrounded by vineyards, and viticulture was the primary economic activity. Stocks of the widely grown Carignan red grape variety are very sturdy, and the characteristic vineyards of the region therefore have no trellises. Soubès never had its own wine-making facility, however, and vignerons are obliged to take their grapes to the Cave Coopérative either in Lodève or Pégairolles-de-l'Escalette.

Overproduction of the local table wine has forced a decline in viticulture recently, and the production of other fruit such as peaches and apricots has partly replaced the wine-based economy.

Festival

Like all villages of the region, Soubès takes pride in its annual fête, which is held the weekend following the first Monday in August.

Traditional festive events include dances every night, pétanque and belotte tournaments, and a very popular game of loto. Sometimes yearling bulls are run through the Coural in an abrivado, a very tamed-down version of the Pamplonada.

The 1994 Fête - yearling bulls in the Place de la Fontaine

In the month of August the population doubles and redoubles as summer visitors (estivants) arrive to enjoy the hot climate and peaceful atmosphere.

Administration
List of recent mayors
From To Name
1958 March 1995 Jean Lassalle
March 1995 March 2008 Marie-Claire Rudelle
March 2008 present José Pozo

Population
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1968 370—    
1975 455+3.00%
1982 565+3.14%
1990 616+1.09%
1999 710+1.59%
2007 872+2.60%
2012 896+0.54%
2017 931+0.77%
Source: INSEE[3]

See also

References
  1. "Populations légales 2017". INSEE. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  2. Built in 1979 on the initiative of Maire Lassalle. "Soubès du néolithique à nos jours". Assoc. Soubésienne SPES. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  3. Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
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