# Tarbes

> commune in Hautes-Pyrénées, France

**Wikidata**: [Q184023](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q184023)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarbes)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tarbes

## Summary
Tarbes is a commune located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in southwestern France. It serves as a significant administrative and cultural hub within the historic region of Bigorre, hosting various educational institutions, sports teams, and infrastructure such as the Gare de Tarbes railway station and Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in Hautes-Pyrénées, France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 43.232777777778, Longitude 0.074444444444444.
- **Population Data Points**: 41,062; 40,593; 41,862; 41,518; 42,426; 42,758; 42,925; 43,955; 44,529; 44,399 (historical and recent estimates).
- **Administrative Hierarchy**: Located within the Hautes-Pyrénées department (inception: March 4, 1790) and the arrondissement of Tarbes.
- **Cantons**: Divided into multiple cantons including Tarbes-1, Tarbes-2, Tarbes-3, Tarbes-4, and Tarbes-5 (established March 22, 2015).
- **Historical Region**: Part of the former province and region of Bigorre (County of Bigorre inception: ~900 AD).
- **Official Website**: http://www.tarbes.fr.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Tarbes.
- **Sitelink Count**: 75 (indicating high cross-language presence).
- **Key Infrastructure**: Home to Gare de Tarbes (railway station) and Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport.
- **Notable Institutions**: Headquarters for Daher-SOCATA (airplane manufacturer), National school of engineers of Tarbes, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tarbes-et-Lourdes.
- **Sports Teams**: Hosts Tarbes Pyrénées Rugby (founded 1902) and Union Tarbes-Lourdes Pyrénées Basket (founded 2010).
- **Events**: Venue for the Petits As junior tennis tournament.
- **Landmarks**: Location of Tarbes Cathedral and Jardin Massey garden.
- **Cultural Groups**: Base for the pop/rock band Boulevard des Airs (founded 2004).
- **Legislative Body**: Headquarters of the departmental council of Hautes-Pyrénées.

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status of Tarbes within France?**
Tarbes is a commune situated in the Hautes-Pyrénées department, which was established on March 4, 1790. It functions as the seat of the arrondissement of Tarbes and is divided into several cantons, including Tarbes-1 through Tarbes-5, which were reorganized in 2015.

**Which major industries and educational institutions are based in Tarbes?**
The city is a center for aerospace engineering, hosting the headquarters of the airplane manufacturer Daher-SOCATA, which was founded in 1965 and reorganized in 2009. It also supports higher education through the National school of engineers of Tarbes, established in 1963.

**What sports and cultural events take place in Tarbes?**
Tarbes is home to the Tarbes Pyrénées Rugby team, founded in 1902, and the Union Tarbes-Lourdes Pyrénées Basket team, founded in 2010. The city also hosts the Petits As, a prestigious junior tennis tournament, and is the base for the music group Boulevard des Airs.

**What are the key historical and religious landmarks in the commune?**
The commune features the Tarbes Cathedral, a significant religious structure, and the Jardin Massey, a notable garden. Historically, the area is linked to the County of Bigorre, which dates back to around 900 AD, and serves as the headquarters for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tarbes-et-Lourdes.

## Why It Matters
Tarbes matters as a pivotal administrative and economic node in the Hautes-Pyrénées region, anchoring the historic territory of Bigorre. Its significance is amplified by its role as a hub for the aerospace industry, hosting major entities like Daher-SOCATA, and as a center for engineering education through its national school. The city's infrastructure, including its railway station and airport, facilitates connectivity for the surrounding department, while its cultural and sporting institutions, such as the Petits As tennis tournament and local rugby team, contribute to the region's social fabric. As the headquarters for the departmental council and the Roman Catholic Diocese, Tarbes exerts influence over local governance and religious life in the area.

## Notable For
- **Aerospace Industry**: Headquarters of Daher-SOCATA, a prominent airplane manufacturer established in 1965.
- **Engineering Education**: Home to the National school of engineers of Tarbes, founded in 1963.
- **Historical Continuity**: Located in the heart of the former County of Bigorre, with roots tracing back to 900 AD.
- **Sports Heritage**: Host to Tarbes Pyrénées Rugby, one of the oldest rugby clubs in France (founded 1902).
- **Tennis Prestige**: Venue for the Petits As, a renowned international junior tennis tournament.
- **Administrative Center**: Serves as the headquarters for the departmental council of Hautes-Pyrénées.
- **Religious Significance**: Seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tarbes-et-Lourdes.
- **Transportation Hub**: Location of Gare de Tarbes and Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport.
- **Cultural Landmarks**: Features the Tarbes Cathedral and the historic Jardin Massey.
- **Musical Contribution**: Base for the French pop/rock band Boulevard des Airs.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Tarbes is a commune located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Occitanie region of southwestern France. Its precise geographic coordinates are latitude 43.232777777778 and longitude 0.074444444444444. The commune is part of the arrondissement of Tarbes and is subdivided into five cantons: Tarbes-1, Tarbes-2, Tarbes-3, Tarbes-4, and Tarbes-5. These cantons were largely established or reorganized on March 22, 2015. The city lies within the historic region of Bigorre, a former province and county with origins dating back to approximately 900 AD. The Hautes-Pyrénées department itself was created on March 4, 1790. Tarbes serves as the headquarters for the departmental council of Hautes-Pyrénées, the local legislative body.

### Economy and Industry
The local economy is significantly driven by the aerospace and engineering sectors. Daher-SOCATA, an airplane manufacturer, has its headquarters in Tarbes. The company was founded on January 1, 1965, and underwent a significant reorganization or merger in 2009. Supporting this industrial base is the National school of engineers of Tarbes, an educational institution dedicated to engineering training, which was established in 1963. The city's industrial profile is further defined by its role as a commercial center for the surrounding agricultural and rural areas of the Hautes-Pyrénées.

### Infrastructure and Transportation
Tarbes is a critical transportation node for the region. It is served by the Gare de Tarbes, a major railway station connecting the city to the national rail network. Air travel is facilitated by the Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport, which serves both the city and the nearby Lourdes pilgrimage site. The commune's connectivity is essential for the movement of goods and people within the Hautes-Pyrénées and to the rest of France.

### Sports and Culture
The city has a vibrant sports culture, highlighted by Tarbes Pyrénées Rugby, a rugby union team founded in 1902. Basketball is also well-represented by the Union Tarbes-Lourdes Pyrénées Basket, established in 2010. Tarbes is internationally recognized for hosting the Petits As, a prestigious junior tennis tournament that attracts young talent from around the world. Culturally, the city is home to the pop/rock band Boulevard des Airs, which was formed in 2004. The Jardin Massey, a significant garden, and the Tarbes Cathedral stand as key cultural and historical landmarks within the commune.

### Religion and Governance
Religious life in the area is centered around the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tarbes-et-Lourdes, which has its headquarters in the city. This diocese oversees the spiritual needs of the region. In terms of governance, Tarbes acts as the administrative capital for the Hautes-Pyrénées department, hosting the departmental council. The commune operates under the French legal and administrative framework, with its status as a commune dating back to the French Revolution era, specifically linked to the territorial subdivisions established around 1789.

### Demographics and Digital Presence
The population of Tarbes has fluctuated over recent years, with recorded figures including 40,593, 41,062, 41,518, 41,862, 42,426, 42,758, 42,925, 43,955, 44,399, and 44,529. The commune maintains a strong digital presence, evidenced by its official website at http://www.tarbes.fr and a high sitelink count of 75 across various language versions of Wikipedia. The Wikipedia title for the entity is "Tarbes," and it is described as a "commune in Hautes-Pyrénées, France."

## References

1. [Source](https://france3-regions.franceinfo.fr/occitanie/hautes-pyrenees/tarbes/demis-par-le-prefet-suite-a-sa-condamnation-d-ineligibilite-le-maire-vient-d-etre-remplace-par-sa-premiere-adjointe-3271346.html)
2. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/Q---0000)
3. Virtual International Authority File
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. MusicBrainz
11. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
12. Populations légales 2016
13. Populations légales 2017
14. Populations légales 2018
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. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
21. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
22. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
23. GeoNames
24. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
25. [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)
26. Quora
27. [(1) Mairie de Tarbes: Overview | LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mairie-de-tarbes/)
28. YouTube API
29. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
30. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File