Coustaussa (French pronunciation: [kustosa] ; Occitan: Costauçan) is a commune in the Aude department in Occitanie region in southern France. Its inhabitants are called Coustaussans.

Coustaussa
The chateau ruins in Coustaussa
The chateau ruins in Coustaussa
Coat of arms of Coustaussa
Location of Coustaussa
Map
Coustaussa is located in France
Coustaussa
Coustaussa
Coustaussa is located in Occitanie
Coustaussa
Coustaussa
Coordinates: 42°56′30″N 2°16′44″E / 42.9417°N 2.2789°E / 42.9417; 2.2789
CountryFrance
RegionOccitania
DepartmentAude
ArrondissementLimoux
CantonLa Haute-Vallée de l'Aude
IntercommunalityLimouxin
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Didier Tricoire[1]
Area
1
4.47 km2 (1.73 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
51
 • Density11/km2 (30/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
11109 /11190
Elevation235–548 m (771–1,798 ft)
(avg. 318 m or 1,043 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Geography

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The village is situated in the high valley of the Aude, on the river Sals between Arques and Couiza.

History

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In the twelfth century, the lordship of Coustaussa belonged to the Vilar family. In the fourteenth century, it was in the hands of the de Fenouillet family. In 1367, by the marriage of Geraude de Fenouillet to Saix de Montesquieu, the lordship passed to the Montesquieus who kept it until the French Revolution.[3]

During the night of 31 October to 1 November 1897, the parish priest of Coustaussa, the Abbé Antoine Gélis, was brutally murdered in his presbytery. The crime was not solved. The Abbé was found during the investigation to possess large sums of money which had not been taken by his assailants.[4]

Administration

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Since March 2001, the Mayor of the commune has been Robert Sanchez.

Population

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
196262—    
196869+11.3%
197559−14.5%
198252−11.9%
199043−17.3%
199949+14.0%
200855+12.2%

Places of interest

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Coustaussa has a ruined castle.

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). 9 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ Departmental Archives of the Aude, Collection 7J (Montesquieu-Coustaussa)
  4. ^ J Riviere, G Tappa, C Boumendil (1996), Le Fabuleux Tresor de Rennes-le-Chateau! Le Secret de L'Abbé Gelis - La Piste Corse, Cazilhac, Belisane ISBN 2-910730-04-2
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