Blieux
Encyclopedia
Blieux is a commune
in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
department in southeastern France
.
Much later, during the French Revolution
, records show that the residents of Blieux had created a political club (patriotic society), which was very common at the time. (See Jacobin Club
).
La Melle, the name of a nearby hamlet, comes from the celtic word, mello, meaning an elevated location.
. As with much of Provence
, tourism the primary source of economic activity today.
, known as the 'Asse de Blieux'.
department that has experienced the greatest population decline from the mid-19th to the mid-20th centuries.
Inhabitants are known as Blieuxois.
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is a French department in the south of France, it was formerly part of the province of Provence.- History :Nord-de-Provence was one of the 83 original departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790...
department in southeastern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
History
The commune of Blieux first appeared on maps in 1100.Much later, during the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, records show that the residents of Blieux had created a political club (patriotic society), which was very common at the time. (See Jacobin Club
Jacobin Club
The Jacobin Club was the most famous and influential political club in the development of the French Revolution, so-named because of the Dominican convent where they met, located in the Rue St. Jacques , Paris. The club originated as the Club Benthorn, formed at Versailles from a group of Breton...
).
Name of the commune
According to Ernest Nègre, the first recorded name for the commune, Bleus, was derived from the Occitan word bleusse, meaning 'dry'. This was likely a reference to the local soil. By contrast, Charles Rostaing argues that the name derives from the pre-Indo-European root word, *BL, meaning 'mountain in the form of a spur'.La Melle, the name of a nearby hamlet, comes from the celtic word, mello, meaning an elevated location.
Economy
Historically, Blieux was a pastoral community, with a yearly alpine grazing cyle known as transhumanceTranshumance in the Alps
Transhumance in the Alps, or seasonal migration between valley and high pastures is a traditional practice that has shaped much of the landscape in the Alps, as without it, most areas below 2000 m would be forests.While tourism and industry contribute today much to Alpine economy, seasonal...
. As with much of Provence
Provence
Provence ; Provençal: Provença in classical norm or Prouvènço in Mistralian norm) is a region of south eastern France on the Mediterranean adjacent to Italy. It is part of the administrative région of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur...
, tourism the primary source of economic activity today.
Geography
The village is located at an altitude of 950m, in the vally formed by a tributary of the river AsseAsse (river)
The Asse is a long river in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence département, southeastern France. Its source is several small streams which converge at Tartonne, east of Digne-les-Bains. It flows generally southwest...
, known as the 'Asse de Blieux'.
Summits and passes
- Mont Chiran (1905 m)
- le Grand Mourre (1898 m)
- Crête de Montmuye (Montmuye ridge) (Highest point: 1621 m)
- Le Mourre de Chanier ( 1930 m)
Population
With the exception of those that have been totally abandoned, Blieux is one of the communities in the Alpes-de-Haute-ProvenceAlpes-de-Haute-Provence
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is a French department in the south of France, it was formerly part of the province of Provence.- History :Nord-de-Provence was one of the 83 original departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790...
department that has experienced the greatest population decline from the mid-19th to the mid-20th centuries.
Inhabitants are known as Blieuxois.