Alpuech (Languedocien: Alpuèg) is a former commune in the Aveyron department in the Occitanie region of southern France. On 1 January 2016, it was merged into the new commune of Argences-en-Aubrac.Arrêté préfectoral 18 November 2015
Geography This commune lies below the south-central portion of the Massif Central on the plateau of the Viadène to the northwest of the plateau of Aubrac.
The commune is long and narrow oriented from north-west to south-east about 50 km south-west of Saint-Flour and 50 km north-west of Marvejols. Access to the commune is by road D921 which crosses the central waist of the commune from Laguiole in the south-west to Lacalm in the north east. The D34 road starts from this road on the eastern border of the commune and passes through to the north-west, through the village and continues west to La Terrisse. There are a number of country roads in the commune but no other villages or hamlets.Google Maps
The Argence Vive stream forms the western border of the commune and flows westward to join the river Truyère. Its tributary Argence Morte also rises in the commune and flows north where it forms part of the northern border before continuing westwards to the Argence Vive. Apart from the Ruisseau de Fluols in the south-western border these are the only significant waterways in the commune.
Neighbouring communes and villages
History Alpuech existed in 976 and from the fourteenth century fairs that took place there were famous in the country.
The Castle of Alpuech as well as that of Cantoin, the Barony of Benaven, and Lacalm castle all belonged to the County of Rodez. This gave the benefit to Alpuech of the monastery of Pebrac (Haute Loire) in 1215. The castle was destroyed in 1550. The oldest houses surround the church which is from the 11th century in the Roman style with a Latin cross. In good weather the bell tower has views over the Cantal Mountains. There are traces of Roman roads and also paths from the 16th century on the road to Vitrac and a remarkable "tau cross" from the 12th century north of the village.Tourist Site for Alpuech
Administration List of Successive Mayors of AlpuechList of Mayors of France
From To Name 1793 1803 Gailhac Bouldoires 1804 1806 Bertrand Vigouroux 1806 1811 Pierre Valadier 1812 1841 Gabriel Capoulade 1841 1858 Charles Noël 1858 1876 Edouard Noël 1877 1884 J. François Allie 1884 1888 Edouard Daude 1888 1896 Casimir Brevier 1896 1902 Ferdenand Noël 1902 1908 Edouard Daude 1908 1912 Guillaume Cambournac 1912 1924 Léon Allie 1924 1928 Cayla 1928 1935 Eugène Blancher
Mayors from 1935
From To Name 1935 1944 Marius Dangles 1944 1960 Fernand Bouldoires 1960 2008 Jean Balitrand 2008 2015 André Raymond
Population The inhabitants of the commune are known as Alpuechois or Alpuechoises in French.Le nom des habitants du 12 - Aveyron, habitants.fr
Sites and monuments The Church of Saint Martin (11th century) is registered as an historical monumentMinistry of Culture, Mérimée
Notable people linked to the Commune J.P. Bouyssou, known as the 'Thief of Alpuech' was an outlaw and Royalist who was a "Robin Hood" of the revolutionary era: he took from the rich to give to the poor.
See also Communes of the Aveyron department
References
External links Canton of Sainte Geneviève-sur-Argence tourism website Alpuech on Géoportail, National Geographic Institute (IGN) website Alpuech on the 1750 Cassini Map