Gourdon, Alpes-Maritimes
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{short description|Commune in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France}}
{{Expand French|topic=geo|date=December 2008|Gourdon (Alpes-Maritimes)}}
{{Infobox French commune
|name = Gourdon
|native name = {{native name|oc|Gordon}}
|commune status = Commune
|image = Gourdon.jpg
|caption = A general view of Gourdon
|image coat of arms = Blason ville fr Gourdon 06.svg
|arrondissement = Grasse
|canton = Valbonne
|INSEE = 06068
|postal code = 06620
|term = 2020–2026
|intercommunality = CA Sophia Antipolis
|coordinates = {{coord|43|43|13|N|6|58|43|E|display=inline,title}}
|elevation m =
|elevation min m = 157
|elevation max m = 1335
|area km2 = 22.53
|population = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}}
|population date = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}}
|population footnotes = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}}
}}
Gourdon ({{IPA|fr|ɡuʁdɔ̃|-|Fr-Paris--Gourdon.ogg}}; {{langx|oc|Gordon}}) is a rural commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in Southeastern France. The village of Gourdon is best known for the panoramic views it offers visitors. It is a member of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (The Most Beautiful Villages of France) Association.
History and geography
In the distant past, this isolated rock was used as a place of refuge and defence. Gourdon, as it appears to us today, gives a good example of a Feudal village. It is built on a peak with impressive slopes down to the river Loup. There is only one entrance, from which you can access the main street. In former times, it was defended by a simple and harmonious Roman gate, that had been demolished at the beginning of the 20th century. Thick, high ramparts close off the North side, which is the only point from which the village can be approached.
Demographics
{{Historical populations
|source = INSEE[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/7633058?geo=COM-06068#ancre-POP_T1 Population en historique depuis 1968], INSEE
|percentages = pagr
|align = none
|1968 |242
|1975 |254
|1982 |231
|1990 |294
|1999 |379
|2009 |440
|2014 |404
|2020 |371
}}
Tourism
The castle is one of Gourdon's most important features. It has been open to visitors since 1950, and was classed as an historical monument in 1971. Its magnificent gardens were designed by André Le Nôtre. Its architecture dates from the ninth century.
Filmography
Certain scenes of Les Misérables (2012) were filmed at Gourdon and in the surrounding area.
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See also
References
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External links
- [http://www.gourdon-france.com/ Gourdon Tourist Office]
{{Commons category|Gourdon (Alpes-Maritimes)|Gourdon, Alpes-Maritimes}}
{{Alpes-Maritimes communes}}
{{Les Plus Beaux Villages de France}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Communes of Alpes-Maritimes
Category:Plus Beaux Villages de France
Category:Alpes-Maritimes communes articles needing translation from French Wikipedia
{{AlpesMaritimes-geo-stub}}