# Argens-Minervois

> commune in Aude, France

**Wikidata**: [Q473698](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q473698)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argens-Minervois)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/argens-minervois

## Summary

Argens-Minervois is a commune located in the Aude department of southern France, situated along the historic Canal du Midi. The small settlement has experienced notable population fluctuations over time, with recorded figures ranging from 210 to 395 residents. It serves as a traditional French rural community in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Aude department, France (country code )
- **Geographic coordinates**: Latitude 43.242222222222°, Longitude 2.7655555555556°
- **Connected waterway**: Canal du Midi — historic canal in Southern France with 56 sitelinks
- **Official website**: http://www.argens-minervois.com
- **Population recorded figures**: 365, 352, 351, 347, 348, 232, 210, 218, 293, 330, 369, 377, 355, 355, 353, 375, 395
- **Wikipedia reference**: Argens-Minervois
- **Wikidata description**: commune in Aude, France
- **Sitelink count**: 43

## FAQs

**What region of France is Argens-Minervois in?**
Argens-Minervois is a commune in the Aude department, located in the southern France region historically known as Languedoc-Roussillon (now part of Occitanie).

**What is the Canal du Midi's relationship to Argens-Minervois?**
Argens-Minervois is situated along the Canal du Midi, the historic canal that traverses southern France and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The canal passes through or near the commune, contributing to its geographical and historical identity.

**How large is the population of Argens-Minervois?**
Population figures show variation across recorded periods, with values ranging from a low of 210 residents to a high of 395 residents. The most recent figures in the dataset show populations of 353, 375, and 395, suggesting population growth in more recent years.

**What is the official online presence of Argens-Minervois?**
The commune maintains an official website at http://www.argens-minervois.com, providing information about local governance, services, and community matters.

## Why It Matters

Argens-Minervois represents a traditional French rural commune that embodies the character of southern French village life in the Languedoc region. Its location along the Canal du Midi connects it to one of France's most significant historical engineering achievements, a canal that has shaped regional commerce, transportation, and tourism for centuries. The commune's population dynamics—showing both decline periods and recent growth—reflect broader trends in rural French demographics, where many small villages face challenges of depopulation followed by revitalization through new residents seeking authentic rural lifestyles. The settlement's presence in the Aude department places it within a region known for its Mediterranean climate, viticulture, and rich historical heritage dating back to Roman times. For researchers studying French rural geography, demographic patterns, or the economic impact of heritage waterways, Argens-Minervois serves as a representative case study of small commune development in southern France.

## Notable For

- Position along the UNESCO-listed Canal du Midi corridor
- Location in the Aude department, a region famous for wine production and historical sites
- Official municipal website providing digital presence for a small rural commune
- Representation of traditional commune governance structure in rural France

## Body

### Geography and Location

Argens-Minervois is positioned at coordinates 43.242222222222° latitude and 2.7655555555556° longitude, placing it in the southern portion of France within the Mediterranean climate zone. The commune lies in the Aude department, which is part of the larger Occitanie administrative region in southern France. The terrain and climate of this area are characteristic of the Languedoc region, known for its rolling hills, vineyards, and warm summers.

### Canal du Midi Connection

The Canal du Midi serves as a significant geographical feature for Argens-Minervois. This historic canal, constructed in the 17th century under the direction of Pierre-Paul Riquet, connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea. The canal passes through the southern French landscape, and Argens-Minervois benefits from its proximity to this waterway. The Canal du Midi holds UNESCO World Heritage status and remains a popular route for recreational boating and tourism, bringing visitors to communities along its banks. The canal's sitelink count of 56 indicates substantial digital documentation and recognition compared to Argens-Minervois's 43, suggesting the waterway receives more online attention than the commune itself.

### Population and Demographics

The population data for Argens-Minervois reveals interesting demographic patterns. The recorded figures span multiple periods: 365, 352, 351, 347, 348, 232, 210, 218, 293, 330, 369, 377, 355, 355, 353, 375, and 395. These numbers suggest the commune experienced a significant population decline at some point, dropping from the mid-300s to as low as 210-218 residents, before recovering to reach 395 in the most recent recorded data. This pattern of decline and recovery is common among rural French communes, where economic opportunities in larger cities historically drew away younger populations, while recent trends see some individuals and families returning to rural areas for quality of life reasons.

### Administrative Identity

As a French commune, Argens-Minervois operates as the smallest administrative division in France, with its own mayor and municipal council. The commune falls under the Aude departmental administration and the larger regional governance structure. The official website at http://www.argens-minervois.com serves as the digital interface between the municipal government and residents, providing information about local services, announcements, and community resources. The Wikidata entry for Argens-Minervois carries the simple but accurate description of "commune in Aude, France," establishing its categorical identity within French administrative systems.

### Digital Presence and Recognition

With a sitelink count of 43, Argens-Minervois has established a modest but present digital footprint across wikimedia platforms. The Wikipedia article titled "Argens-Minervois" provides encyclopedia coverage, while the Wikidata entry ( representing France as the country) links it to broader knowledge graphs. This digital presence, while modest compared to larger municipalities or the Canal du Midi itself, indicates that the commune is recognized as a notable entry within French geographical databases and online reference works.

## References

1. Sandre
2. [Source](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/Y1--0200)
3. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/Y1--0200)
4. BnF authorities
5. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
6. INSEE code
7. répertoire géographique des communes
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Annuaire de service-public.fr
10. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
11. Populations légales 2016
12. Populations légales 2017
13. Populations légales 2018
14. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
15. Populations légales 2019
16. Populations légales 2020
17. Populations légales 2021
18. Populations de référence 2022
19. Populations de référence 2023
20. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
21. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
22. GeoNames
23. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
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)
25. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
26. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)