# Agde

> commune in Hérault, France

**Wikidata**: [Q191396](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q191396)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agde)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/agde

## Summary

Agde is a commune in the Hérault department of southern France, located on the Mediterranean coast in the Occitania region. Founded in ancient times, the city has been a significant settlement since the 5th century BCE and is notable for its rich Roman and medieval heritage, including the Agde Cathedral and its strategic position along the Canal du Midi. Today, Agde serves as a major tourist destination and part of the Hérault Méditerranée agglomeration community.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Hérault department, Occitania region, France
- **Coordinates**: 43.31°N, 3.47528°E
- **Administrative status**: Commune of France (since 1789)
- **Arrondissement**: Béziers
- **Canton**: Agde (since March 22, 2015)
- **Intercommunal structure**: Communauté d'agglomération Hérault Méditerranée (founded December 31, 2002)
- **Population**: Approximately 29,939 residents (most recent figure in dataset)
- **Historical population range**: 10,184 to 29,600 residents across recorded data points
- **Website**: http://www.ville-agde.fr
- **Wikipedia page**: Agde
- **Wikidata description**: commune in Hérault, France
- **Sitelink count**: 70

## FAQs

**What is Agde known for historically?**

Agde is one of the oldest cities in France, with origins dating back to around 400 BCE. The city was established as a Greek colony and later became an important Roman settlement. It houses Agde Cathedral, a significant medieval religious structure, and was the seat of the Ancient Diocese of Agde.

**What notable landmarks are located in Agde?**

Agde features several important landmarks, including Agde Cathedral, the Agde Round Lock on the Canal du Midi, the statue "The Youth of Agde" (dating to 400 BCE), and Gare d'Agde railway station. The Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, passes through the city.

**What sports and cultural facilities exist in Agde?**

Agde is home to RCO Agde, a football club founded in 1904. The city also has the Agde Round Lock, an engineering feature of the Canal du Midi, and various cultural institutions tied to its historical heritage.

**How is Agde administratively organized?**

Agde is a commune in the Hérault department, part of the arrondissement of Béziers, and belongs to the canton of Agde. It is also a member of the Communauté d'agglomération Hérault Méditerranée, an agglomeration community established in 2002.

**What is the economic and demographic profile of Agde?**

With a population approaching 30,000 residents, Agde is a mid-sized French commune in the Hérault department. The city operates under the administrative framework of the French commune system, with local government services accessible through its official website.

## Why It Matters

Agde matters as one of France's oldest continuously inhabited cities, representing over 2,400 years of European settlement history. Its strategic location on the Mediterranean coast and along the Canal du Midi has made it a crossroads of civilizations, from Greek colonists to Roman settlers to medieval Christians. The city's historical significance is preserved in its architectural heritage, including the Agde Cathedral and the remains of ancient structures.

From a modern perspective, Agde plays an important role in the regional economy of Occitania. As part of the Hérault Méditerranée agglomeration community, it contributes to intercommunal cooperation in areas such as economic development, transportation, and tourism. The city's position along the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, connects it to France's broader cultural tourism network. The presence of RCO Agde and other local institutions demonstrates the city's continued vitality as a contemporary French commune.

Agde also matters as an example of how ancient Mediterranean settlements evolved into modern French municipalities. Its history reflects broader patterns of French regional development, religious establishment during the medieval period, and ongoing adaptation to contemporary administrative structures.

## Notable For

- **Ancient origins**: One of the oldest cities in France, with settlement dating to approximately 400 BCE
- **The Youth of Agde statue**: A bronze statue dating to 400 BCE, one of the oldest known sculptures in France
- **Canal du Midi connection**: Home to the Agde Round Lock, a notable engineering feature of the 17th-century canal
- **Religious heritage**: Site of Agde Cathedral and historical seat of the Ancient Diocese of Agde
- **Football tradition**: Home to RCO Agde football club, founded in 1904
- **Administrative continuity**: Maintained commune status since the French Revolution of 1789

## Body

### Geography and Location

Agde is situated in the Hérault department of the Occitania region in southern France, positioned on the Mediterranean coast at coordinates 43.31°N latitude and 3.47528°E longitude. The city lies within the arrondissement of Béziers, making it part of one of the most prominent administrative divisions in the Hérault region. The Mediterranean location has been fundamental to Agde's identity throughout its 2,400-year history, providing access to maritime trade routes and establishing the city as a coastal settlement with strong ties to the sea.

### Administrative History

The administrative structure of Agde has evolved significantly over the centuries. As a commune of France, Agde traces its modern municipal status to 1789, following the French Revolution, which established the commune system as the fundamental territorial division of France. The city became the seat of the canton of Agde on March 22, 2015, as part of France's ongoing administrative reorganization at the cantonal level.

Agde is currently part of the Communauté d'agglomération Hérault Méditerranée, an agglomeration community established on December 31, 2002. This intercommunal structure brings together multiple municipalities in the Hérault region to coordinate economic development, transportation, environmental protection, and other shared services. The community's headquarters is located in Agde, reflecting the city's importance within the regional administrative framework.

### Religious Heritage

Agde holds significant importance in the religious history of southern France. The city is home to Agde Cathedral, a medieval cathedral that served as the seat of the Ancient Diocese of Agde. The diocese was a significant ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the region, with its headquarters located in Agde. The cathedral represents the city's religious prominence during the medieval period and remains an important architectural landmark.

### Canal du Midi Connection

One of Agde's most distinctive features is its connection to the Canal du Midi, the historic canal linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean via the Garonne River. The canal passes through Agde, and the city features the Agde Round Lock, a notable engineering structure that allows boats to navigate the elevation changes along the canal. The Canal du Midi was constructed in the 17th century and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making Agde part of a globally significant cultural and engineering landmark.

### Cultural and Historical Monuments

Agde possesses several notable cultural and historical monuments beyond its cathedral and canal infrastructure. The city is home to "The Youth of Agde" (La Jeunesse d'Agde), a statue dating to approximately 400 BCE, making it one of the oldest known sculptures in France. This ancient artifact provides tangible evidence of Agde's Greek colonial origins and the city's long historical pedigree.

The Gare d'Agde serves as the city's railway station, connecting Agde to the broader French rail network and facilitating transportation for residents and visitors. This infrastructure element reflects Agde's continued importance as a regional transportation hub.

### Sports and Community Life

RCO Agde represents the city's sporting tradition. Founded in 1904, this football club has been a part of Agde's community life for over a century, providing recreational opportunities and contributing to local identity through sports. The presence of a football club dating to the early 20th century demonstrates Agde's sustained community vitality and its integration into broader French sporting culture.

### Demographics and Population

Agde's population has fluctuated over time, with recorded figures ranging from approximately 10,184 to 29,600 residents across various census periods. The most recent population figure in the available data approaches 30,000 residents, indicating a mid-sized French commune with stable population levels. This population size places Agde as a significant urban center within the Hérault department, capable of supporting diverse economic activities, cultural institutions, and municipal services.

### Regional Context

Agde exists within a rich regional context in the Hérault department of Occitania. The department, created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution, encompasses diverse landscapes from Mediterranean coastline to inland hills. Agde's position within this region connects it to broader patterns of economic development, tourism, and cultural preservation characteristic of southern France.

The arrondissement of Béziers, which includes Agde, represents an important administrative division within Hérault. This sub-departmental structure coordinates regional governance and administrative services across multiple municipalities.

### Modern Administration and Services

The municipal government of Agde operates through the standard French commune system, providing local services to residents and visitors. The city maintains an official website at http://www.ville-agde.fr, offering information about municipal services, local government, and community resources. This digital presence reflects Agde's adaptation to contemporary administrative practices while maintaining its historical identity as a French commune.

The city's administrative classification as a commune places it within the fundamental territorial division of France, with a mayor and municipal council providing local governance. This system, established during the French Revolution, ensures democratic administration at the most local level of French government.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
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14. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
15. Populations légales 2019
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19. Populations de référence 2023
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24. [2016](https://data.geopf.fr/telechargement/download/GEOFLA/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28.7z)
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