Nizas, Hérault

Nizas (French pronunciation: [nizas]; Occitan: Nisaç) is a commune in the Hérault department in the Occitanie region in southern France.

Nizas
Commune
A general view of Nizas
A general view of Nizas
Coat of arms of Nizas
Coat of arms
Location of Nizas
Nizas is located in France
Nizas
Nizas
Nizas is located in Occitanie
Nizas
Nizas
Coordinates: 43°30′50″N 3°24′30″E
CountryFrance
RegionOccitania
DepartmentHérault
ArrondissementBéziers
CantonMèze
IntercommunalityCA Hérault Méditerranée
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Daniel Renaud[1]
Area
1
8.53 km2 (3.29 sq mi)
Population
 (Jan. 2020)[2]
669
 • Density78/km2 (200/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
34184 /34320
Elevation19–131 m (62–430 ft)
(avg. 72 m or 236 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

It lies near the town Pézenas.

History

Like many places in Languedoc-Roussillon, the village of Nizas has been continuously inhabited since prehistoric time. The vicinity of the village is rich in archeological sites, such as proto-anthropomorphic stele of Pla Méjo and la grotte de l'Homme Mort,[3] both from the Chalcolithic period.

The origins of the village of Nizas are certainly Roman, although there are remains from Greek amphora manufacturing processes in neighbouring villages. There are evidences of Roman foundations from the 1st century AD under the early 18th-century church in the center of the village.

The name Nizas derived from the name of a Latin nobleman Nisius whose domain is buried under the modern village. Nizas is mentioned in the Carolingian texts (884 AD) as a villa.[4] Following the collapse of the Carolingian empire, Occitanian peasantry who, prior to 950 lived mostly at dispersed farms, regrouped around castles of local nobles for protection. Thus, the fortified villages or "castra" in Occitan, appeared between 950 and 1050.[5] "Castro Nizacio" is mentioned in time of crusades (1094–1114). The circulade is well preserved in the historical center of the village called quartier de la Villette.

At the end of the 16th century, the Carrion family acquired the fief from the bishop of Lodève and adopted the name Carrion-Nizas. That was Jean-Raymond de Carrion-Nizas ( d. 1624), master-builder of walls of Pézenas, who built or re-built the current castle.[4] The Carrion-Nizas family remained the lords of the village until the French Revolution. The tomb of the Carrion-Nizas family is still in the church chancel.

Archival materials, such as old maps, postcards and photographs, census of population and parochial records going as far back as the early 17th century may be found on line at Archives départementales de l'Hérault.[6]

Population
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1962502—    
1968504+0.4%
1975391−22.4%
1982398+1.8%
1990459+15.3%
1999525+14.4%
2008567+8.0%
2012593+4.6%

The inhabitants of Nizas are called Nizaçois.

Sights

The present village dates from the 10th century with extensive building in the 12th and 13th centuries giving the characteristic shape of a circulade. This is tight spiral configuration with the outer buildings having thick (up to 3 meters in places) stone walls as a defence. Since 2004, the historical district quartier de la Villette has been a pedestrian zone. The information below is largely based on the tourists signs.

Castrum tower

The tower is located in quartier de la Villette, the oldest part of Nizas. This four-sided tower (6.5 x 10 m) with walls 1.70m thick was originally surrounded by an enclosure which served as a farmyard to the old chateau.

Place du Griffe

From the 14th century onwards, the center of the village spread to the west of the original center (quartier de la Villette) around a new square – the Place du Griffe. In this square, in the center of a fountain, there is a statue of Marianne which is more mythological than republican. She is the Greek-Roman goddess Artemis-Diana or Belissena, her counterpart in Celt Iberian cosmos of divinities.[7] She isn't wearing phrygian cap, but a star on her forehead, suggesting the guiding light to lead people from the darkness of ignorance.

Church

The cornerstone of the present church was consecrated on January 13, 1705 on the site of the former chapel of Saints Perpetue and Felicity which was demolished in 1703. The construction work was completed by August 1708. Saint Perpetue relics are still objects of veneration.[8] The church is open for worship and visits only during the time of service.

  • Approaching village of Nizas
    Approaching village of Nizas
  • Old wine press converted to flowerbed
    Old wine press converted to flowerbed
  • Picturesque view from a nearby hill at sunset
    Picturesque view from a nearby hill at sunset
  • Village square, La place du Griffe
    Village square, La place du Griffe
  • La place du Griffe at night - Cet endroit est brumeux et mystérieux
    La place du Griffe at night - Cet endroit est brumeux et mystérieux
  • Castle of Carrion-Nizas, who remained the local lords from the late 16th century until the revolution. The castle is closed to public.
    Castle of Carrion-Nizas, who remained the local lords from the late 16th century until the revolution. The castle is closed to public.
  • Old part of the village (quartier de la Villette).
    Old part of the village (quartier de la Villette).
  • Facade of the village church.
    Facade of the village church.
  • Coquelicot ("Red poppy" in French)
    Coquelicot ("Red poppy" in French)
  • La garrigue ("garriga" in Occitan) - Mediterranean scrubland, Spring time
    La garrigue ("garriga" in Occitan) - Mediterranean scrubland, Spring time
  • Hills of Herault, Spring time
    Hills of Herault, Spring time
  • Sheep
    Sheep

See also

References
  1. "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
  2. "Populations légales 2020". The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 29 December 2022.
  3. Jean Grimal. Le village chalcolithique du "Pla Mejo" Commune de Nizas (Hérault), Bulletin de la Société préhistorique française, 1966, n° 5, pp. 181-188.
  4. "Nizas, La patine du temps by Guilhem Beugnon". Archived from the original on 5 March 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
  5. Les Cathares by de Brenon and Roux. Pouvoir et Societe en Francie occidentale en l'an Mil, p.25 ISBN 2-911515-28-5
  6. Archives départementales de l'Hérault
  7. Rahn, Otto (2006). Crusade against the Grail: The Struggle between the Cathars, the Templars, and the Church of Rome. Rochester, Vt: Inner Traditions. p. 105. ISBN 1-59477-135-9.
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