# Aiguèze

> commune in Gard, France

**Wikidata**: [Q317362](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q317362)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aiguèze)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/aigu-ze

## Summary

Aiguèze is a commune located in the Gard department of southern France, situated in the Occitanie region within the arrondissement of Nîmes. The small village is positioned at coordinates 44.303333333333° N, 4.5558333333333° E and is known for its historical cave system, Chabot Cave. As a commune of France, Aiguèze operates as a territorial subdivision within the French administrative system and maintains a local website at http://www.aigueze.fr.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Gard department, Occitanie region, southern France
- **Administrative Division**: Arrondissement of Nîmes
- **Coordinates**: 44.303333333333° N latitude, 4.5558333333333° E longitude
- **Country**: France
- **Type**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities)
- **Alternative Name**: Aiguesa
- **Website**: http://www.aigueze.fr
- **Wikipedia Title**: Aiguèze
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Gard, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 46
- **Notable Natural Feature**: Chabot Cave (cave in France)
- **Association Membership**: Potentially associated with The Most Beautiful Villages of France (1982-03-06 inception)
- **Population Figures**: 216, 213, 217, 214, 214, 206, 161, 182, 215, 204, 218, 223, 215, 218, 213, 212, 212 (recorded across multiple years)

## FAQs

**What region and department is Aiguèze located in?**

Aiguèze is located in the Gard department of southern France, which is part of the Occitanie region. It falls within the arrondissement of Nîmes, which is one of the administrative divisions of the department.

**What type of administrative area is Aiguèze?**

Aiguèze is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. The commune as an administrative unit was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, providing local governance and administrative functions.

**What geographical features is Aiguèze known for?**

Aiguèze is associated with Chabot Cave, a cave system located in France. The village sits at coordinates 44.303333333333° N latitude and 4.5558333333333° E longitude, positioning it in the southern part of France.

**What is the population of Aiguèze?**

Aiguèze has recorded population figures of 216, 213, 217, 214, 214, 206, 161, 182, 215, 204, 218, 223, 215, 218, 213, 212, and 212 across various recorded years, indicating a small but relatively stable population typical of rural French communes.

**Does Aiguèze have any notable affiliations or associations?**

Aiguèze may be associated with The Most Beautiful Villages of France (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France), an independent French association founded in 1982 that promotes tourism in exceptional rural villages. The commune also maintains an official website at http://www.aigueze.fr for local information.

## Why It Matters

Aiguèze represents the quintessential small French rural commune that forms the backbone of France's territorial organization. As part of the Gard department in the Occitanie region, it contributes to the administrative and cultural fabric of southern France. The commune system, which dates back to 1789, is fundamental to France's decentralized governance structure, and Aiguèze exemplifies how local communities maintain their identity while being integrated into larger regional and national frameworks.

The presence of Chabot Cave indicates that Aiguèze possesses natural heritage that contributes to its regional identity and potential for tourism and geological interest. The commune's participation in organizations like The Most Beautiful Villages of France would further enhance its visibility and support local economic development through heritage preservation and sustainable tourism.

From an administrative perspective, Aiguèze's placement within the arrondissement of Nîmes connects it to a significant urban center in the region, providing access to regional services, transportation, and administrative resources while maintaining its distinct local character.

## Notable For

- **Cave System**: Home to Chabot Cave, a notable geological feature in the region
- **Rural Heritage**: Represents traditional French village life in the Occitanie region
- **Administrative Structure**: Part of the French commune system established in 1789
- **Regional Location**: Situated in the Gard department, one of the departments comprising southern France
- **Potential Recognition**: Possible membership in The Most Beautiful Villages of France association

## Body

### Geography and Location

Aiguèze is situated in the southern part of France, specifically in the Gard department, which is part of the Occitanie region. The commune is located at coordinates 44.303333333333° north latitude and 4.5558333333333° east longitude. This positioning places Aiguèze in the southeastern portion of the country, within reasonable distance of the Mediterranean coast and the Rhône River valley. The terrain typical of this region in southern France includes limestone formations, garrigue landscapes, and the characteristic Mediterranean climate that influences local agriculture and lifestyle.

### Administrative History and Structure

Aiguèze operates as a commune, which is the fundamental territorial subdivision in France for municipalities. The commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing the previous system of parishes and villages. This administrative structure provides local governance, civil registration, and municipal services to residents. As a commune in the Gard department, Aiguèze falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Nîmes, which serves as an intermediate administrative level between the department and the commune.

The Gard department itself was created on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution. It is located in southern France and is part of the Occitanie region, which was formed through the merger of the former Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées regions in 2016. This administrative reorganization reflects France's ongoing decentralization efforts and regional planning.

### Natural Heritage

The commune is notably associated with Chabot Cave, one of the geological attractions in the region. Cave systems are relatively common in this part of France, where limestone geology has created numerous karst formations over millions of years. These caves often contain significant geological features including stalactites, stalagmites, and underground rivers. Chabot Cave represents a natural heritage element that contributes to Aiguèze's identity and potential for scientific study and tourism.

### Demographics and Community

Based on the population figures recorded (216, 213, 217, 214, 214, 206, 161, 182, 215, 204, 218, 223, 215, 218, 213, 212, 212), Aiguèze maintains a small population typical of rural French communes. These figures, spanning multiple years, show some variation in population, which is common in rural areas where demographic shifts can occur due to migration patterns, birth and death rates, and economic conditions. The population size positions Aiguèze as a tight-knit community where local relationships and traditions likely play a significant role in daily life.

### Cultural and Tourism Potential

Aiguèze's potential association with The Most Beautiful Villages of France (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France) indicates recognition of its architectural and cultural heritage. This association, founded on March 6, 1982, is an independent organization that awards membership to villages meeting strict criteria for preservation, architecture, and quality of life. Villages that achieve this recognition benefit from increased tourism and national visibility, while committing to maintaining their historical character and natural surroundings.

The commune maintains an official website at http://www.aigueze.fr, providing information to residents and visitors about local services, events, and community matters. This digital presence reflects modern municipal governance and accessibility.

### Regional Context

Aiguèze's location within the Gard department places it in one of France's most historically rich regions. The department contains numerous Roman ruins, medieval villages, and Renaissance monuments, reflecting the area's importance throughout French history. The nearby city of Nîmes, the administrative center of the arrondissement, is famous for its Roman amphitheater (the Arena of Nîmes) and Roman temple (the Maison Carrée), demonstrating the deep historical roots of the region.

The Occitanie region, of which Gard is a part, is France's largest region by area and encompasses diverse landscapes from the Mediterranean coast to the Pyrenees mountains. This region is known for its viticulture, agriculture, and cultural traditions, including the Camargue region with its unique ecosystem and bull-running traditions.

### Administrative Relationships

Aiguèze maintains administrative relationships with several higher-level entities within the French territorial organization. As a commune, it is subordinate to the Gard department and the French state while maintaining local autonomy within defined legal parameters. The arrondissement of Nîmes provides an intermediate level of administrative coordination and services. At the regional level, Aiguèze is connected to the broader Occitanie regional administration, which handles matters requiring coordination across multiple departments.

The commune of France system represents one of the most localized forms of government in France, with mayors and municipal councils elected to handle local affairs including urban planning, local taxes, public services, and community events. This system ensures that even small villages like Aiguèze have a recognized administrative identity and the ability to govern local matters.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. répertoire géographique des communes
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Annuaire de service-public.fr
8. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
9. Populations légales 2016
10. Populations légales 2017
11. Populations légales 2018
12. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
13. Populations légales 2019
14. Populations légales 2020
15. Populations légales 2021
16. Populations de référence 2022
17. Populations de référence 2023
18. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
19. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
20. GeoNames
21. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
22. [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)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)