# Homps

> commune in Aude, France

**Wikidata**: [Q633802](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q633802)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homps,_Aude)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/homps

## Summary
Homps is a commune located in the Aude department of southern France, within the historic region of Occitania. It is situated along the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO-listed waterway, and falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Narbonne and the former canton of Lézignan-Corbières.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Homps is in the Aude department (created March 4, 1790) in South West France.
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the arrondissement of Narbonne and formerly the canton of Lézignan-Corbières (until March 2015).
- **Geographic Coordinates**: Latitude 43.2675°, Longitude 2.7211111111111°.
- **Population**: Fluctuates between 548 and 654 residents across recorded years (e.g., 548, 569, 601, 654).
- **Website**: Official municipal site at [https://www.mairiehomps.fr](https://www.mairiehomps.fr).
- **Canal du Midi**: The commune is adjacent to this historic 17th-century canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- **Wikidata Classification**: Identified as a "commune of France," a municipal subdivision established post-1789.

## FAQs
**Where is Homps located?**
Homps is situated in the Aude department of southern France, near the Canal du Midi. It lies within the arrondissement of Narbonne and was previously part of the canton of Lézignan-Corbières until 2015.

**What is the population of Homps?**
The population has varied between 548 and 654 residents in recent years, with figures such as 601 (2020), 654 (2021), and 604 (2022) recorded.

**What administrative regions include Homps?**
Homps is part of the Aude department (created in 1790), the arrondissement of Narbonne, and was historically in the canton of Lézignan-Corbières until its dissolution in 2015.

**Is Homps near any notable landmarks?**
Yes, Homps is located along the Canal du Midi, a 17th-century engineering marvel and UNESCO World Heritage Site that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.

**How can I find official information about Homps?**
The commune’s official website is [https://www.mairiehomps.fr](https://www.mairiehomps.fr), providing municipal updates and local services.

## Why It Matters
Homps serves as a microcosm of rural French life in Occitania, blending historical significance with modern governance. Its proximity to the Canal du Midi highlights its role in France’s cultural and economic heritage, as the canal was pivotal for trade and transportation in the 17th–19th centuries. As a small commune, Homps also reflects the administrative structure of France’s decentralized local governance, where municipalities like it manage day-to-day civic affairs while contributing to the broader regional identity of Aude.

## Notable For
- **Canal du Midi Proximity**: Direct access to one of France’s most famous UNESCO-listed sites, attracting tourism and preserving historical infrastructure.
- **Administrative History**: Part of the former canton of Lézignan-Corbières, illustrating France’s evolving territorial organization.
- **Small-Scale Governance**: Represents the "commune" system, France’s smallest administrative unit, with a population under 700.
- **Occitania Region**: Located in a culturally distinct area of southern France known for its language (Occitan) and medieval history.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Homps is positioned at coordinates 43.2675°N latitude and 2.7211111111111°E longitude, placing it in the Aude department of the Occitanie region in southern France. The commune lies along the Canal du Midi, a 240-kilometer waterway built between 1666 and 1681 to link the Mediterranean Sea (via the Étang de Thau) to the Atlantic Ocean (via the Garonne River). This location makes Homps a minor but historically relevant stop along the canal’s route, which is now primarily used for tourism and leisure boating.

### Administrative Structure
Homps is classified as a *commune*, the basic administrative division in France, established during the French Revolution (post-1789). It falls under the following jurisdictions:
- **Department**: Aude (created March 4, 1790), one of the original 83 departments formed during the Revolution.
- **Arrondissement**: Narbonne, an administrative subdivision overseeing multiple cantons and communes.
- **Former Canton**: Lézignan-Corbières, dissolved in March 2015 during a nationwide redistribution of cantons.

The commune operates under a municipal council (*conseil municipal*) and a mayor (*maire*), typical of France’s local governance model. Its official website ([mairiehomps.fr](https://www.mairiehomps.fr)) serves as a hub for resident services and announcements.

### Demographics
Population data for Homps shows fluctuations over recent years, with recorded figures including:
- 548 (2015)
- 569 (2016)
- 601 (2017)
- 611 (2018)
- 605 (2019)
- 650 (2020)
- 654 (2021)
- 604 (2022)

These numbers reflect the demographic trends of rural French communes, where populations often remain stable or grow modestly due to limited economic migration.

### Historical and Cultural Context
The Canal du Midi, adjacent to Homps, is a defining feature of the area’s heritage. Constructed under the reign of Louis XIV and designed by engineer Pierre-Paul Riquet, the canal was a marvel of 17th-century engineering, featuring locks, aqueducts, and tunnels. Its UNESCO designation (1996) has preserved the canal as a living historical site, influencing local tourism and cultural identity.

Homps itself, while not a major historical site, contributes to the broader narrative of Occitania—a region with a distinct medieval past, including the Cathar movement and the Albigensian Crusade. The Aude department, where Homps is located, is rich in Cathar castles and Romanesque architecture, though Homps’ direct role in these events is minimal.

### Infrastructure and Connectivity
The commune’s infrastructure is typical of rural France, with road networks connecting it to larger towns like Lézignan-Corbières and Narbonne. The Canal du Midi remains a functional waterway, though its primary modern use is recreational (e.g., barge cruises, cycling paths). Homps lacks major industrial or transportation hubs but benefits from its scenic location and proximity to regional attractions.

### Related Entities
- **Aude Department**: The broader administrative region, known for its wine production (Corbières AOC), Mediterranean climate, and historical sites.
- **Canal du Midi**: A critical landmark for Homps, driving tourism and linking the commune to France’s engineering heritage.
- **Lézignan-Corbières**: The nearest significant town, formerly the canton seat, providing commercial and administrative services.
- **Narbonne**: The arrondissement capital, a historic city with Roman roots and a key economic center for southern Aude.

### Modern Role
Today, Homps functions as a quiet residential and agricultural commune, with its economy likely tied to viticulture (common in Aude) and canal-related tourism. Its small size and rural character make it representative of thousands of similar municipalities across France, where local governance, historical preservation, and community life intersect. The commune’s official online presence ([mairiehomps.fr](https://www.mairiehomps.fr)) underscores its adaptation to digital-era civic engagement, even in a sparsely populated setting.

## 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. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Annuaire de service-public.fr
9. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
10. Populations légales 2016
11. Populations légales 2017
12. Populations légales 2018
13. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
14. Populations légales 2019
15. Populations légales 2020
16. Populations légales 2021
17. Populations de référence 2022
18. Populations de référence 2023
19. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
20. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
21. GeoNames
22. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
23. [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)
24. [Source](https://www.bungalowparkoverzicht.nl/plaats/homps/)
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)