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Colmars

Coordinates: 44°10′55″N 6°37′38″E / 44.182°N 6.6272°E / 44.182; 6.6272
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Colmars
An overall view of the village of Colmars
An overall view of the village of Colmars
Coat of arms of Colmars
Location of Colmars
Map
Colmars is located in France
Colmars
Colmars
Colmars is located in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Colmars
Colmars
Coordinates: 44°10′55″N 6°37′38″E / 44.182°N 6.6272°E / 44.182; 6.6272
CountryFrance
RegionProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
DepartmentAlpes-de-Haute-Provence
ArrondissementCastellane
CantonCastellane
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Magali Surle-Girieud[1]
Area
1
81.82 km2 (31.59 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
513
 • Density6.3/km2 (16/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
04061 /04370
Elevation1,178–2,742 m (3,865–8,996 ft)
(avg. 1,250 m or 4,100 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Colmars (French pronunciation: [kɔlmaʁ]; Occitan: Cormarç) or Colmars-les-Alpes (French pronunciation: [kɔlmaʁ lez‿alp]) is a commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France.

The official name of the commune, according to the geographical code of the INSEE, is "Colmars",[3] but it is always referred locally as "Colmars-les-Alpes", even though it is not recognised in legal situations. The signs on entering the village read "Colmars-les-Alpes".

Geography

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The village is situated at the confluence of the rivers Verdon and Lance, at an altitude of 1250 metres. The site of the village is a site inscrit, a site of special natural, scientific or historical interest.

Hamlets

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There are two other hamlets in the commune: Clignon-Haut and Clignon-Bas.

Population

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Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1968 360—    
1975 311−2.07%
1982 314+0.14%
1990 367+1.97%
1999 378+0.33%
2009 385+0.18%
2014 398+0.67%
2020 479+3.14%
Source: INSEE[4]

The inhabitants are called Colmarsiens.

Geography

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Mountains and peaks

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There are numerous high points in the commune. The main ones are:

  • Tête de l'Encombrette (2682m)
  • Autapie (2426m)
  • Roche Cline
  • Valpane

History

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The name of the village comes from a hill dedicated to Mars by the Romans ("Collo Marto"). The village was originally situated further up a hill, but the site was judged to be too cramped and not possible to expand any further, so it was abandoned. It was destroyed by Raymond de Turenne in 1390.

Modern era

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In the French Wars of Religion, the site was the target of several attacks:

  • Paulon de Mauvans, a Protestant captain, pillaged the village in 1560;
  • Cartier, a captain operating on behalf of de Mauvans, took and ransomed the village in 1583;
  • The French Catholic League sacked the village a few years later.
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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 2 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ Commune de Colmars (04061), INSEE.
  4. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
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