Villegailhenc

Villegailhenc is a southern French village with 1649 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Aude department in the Languedoc- Roussillon region.

Toponym

The place name Villagailhenc seems to point to a Roman or Gallo-Roman origin: Villa Galieni = " estate of Galienus ".

Location

Villegailhenc situated on the River Trapel in the ancient cultural landscape of the Cabardès in the southern foothills of the Montagne Noire at an altitude of about 130 meters above sea level. inst and about ten kilometers ( route ) north of Carcassonne. The distance to the eastern canton capital Conques- sur- Orbiel of approximately five kilometers.

Demographics

In the 19th century the place was always between 800 and 1,000 inhabitants. The phylloxera crisis and the mechanization of agriculture and the associated loss of jobs had a decrease in population to just over 600 result. In recent decades, however it is significantly increased again, due primarily to the in comparison to the nearby city of Carcassonne significantly lower land prices and rents.

Economy

Despite being close to Carcassonne the surroundings of the town is still dominated by agriculture - especially from the winery, which may have been operated in Cabardès in antiquity. Villegailhenc part of the wine-growing region Cabardès (AOC ).

History

On the history of the place is little information available. The place-name as well as finds of amphorae suggest, however to a far -reaching settlement back. The area traditionally belonged to the French king, and knew therefore no reason Lord ( seigneur ).

Attractions

• The origins of the parish church of the village ( Église Notre -Dame) date back to the 12th/13th. Century back; however, it was rebuilt several times. Its present appearance comes largely 19th century.
• The stump of a windmill has also obtained.