Alès

Alès () is a commune in south central France in the region of Occitanie. It is a subprefecture of the Gard department. It is also the capital of the arrondissement of the same name.

It was formerly known as Alais.

History
Since the creation of the Gard department on 4 March 1790, Alès has been a subprefecture of the department.

Geography
Alès is at  north-northwest of Nîmes, in a curve (meander) of the Le Gardon d'Alès river, which half surrounds it. It is at the foot of the Cévennes, near the Cévennes National Park.

Alès has an area of , and its average altitude is ; at the city hall, the altitude is .

The commune of Alès is surrounded by the communes  Saint-Jean-du-Pin, Saint-Martin-de-Valgalgues, Saint-Privat-des-Vieux, Cendras, Saint-Christol-lès-Alès and Saint-Hilaire-de-Brethmas.
+ Alès and its neighboring communes 350px|Map of the commune of Alès

Climate
The climate of Alès, in the Köppen climate classification, is Csb - Mediterranean climate with warm summers.

Population
The inhabitants of Alès are known, in French, as Alésiens (women: Alésiennes).

With a population of 39,993, Alès has a population density of  inhabitants/km2.

Evolution of the population in Alès

Alès forms, with other 21 communes, the urban area of Alès with a population of 94,622 inhabitants (2013) and an area of . This urban area is the centre of the metropolitan area of Alès, formed by 52 communes with a population of 114,137 inhabitants and an area of .

 Administration 
Alès is a subprefecture of the Gard department, the capital of the arrondissement of Le Vigan and the administrative centre () of the cantons
 Alès-1, with 32,289 inhabitants (2014).
 Alès-2, with 29,141 inhabitants (2014).
 Alès-3, with 26,871 inhabitants (2014).

It is part of the intercommunality Alès Agglomération.

Sister cities
Alès is twinned with:
  Bílina, Czech Republic.
  Kilmarnock, Scotland, UK.
  Herstal, Belgium.

Gallery

 Related pages 
 Arrondissement of Alès
 Communes of the Gard department

References

Other websites


 Official website 

Category:Subprefectures in France
Category:Communes in Gard