Bages, Aude
Bages (; ) is a commune in the Aude department in the Occitanie region of southern France. The inhabitants of the commune are known as "Bageois" or "Bageoises". Geography. Bages is located in the urban area of Narbonne on the Canal de la Robine and the "Étang de Bages-Sigean" (Bages-Sigean Lake) some 6 km south-west of Narbonne and 9 km north of Portel-des-Corbières. Access to the commune is by the D6009 road from Narbonne which passes through the centre of the commune and continues south to Salses-le-Château. Access to the village in the  east of the commune is by road D105 which branches from the D6009 just north of the commune and goes to the village before continuing south to Peyriac-de-Mer. The A9 autoroute passes through the commune from north to south but has no exit in the commune. The nearest exit is Exit some 4 km north of the commune which links to the D6009. Apart from the village there are the hamlets of Les Pesquis, Domaine de Java, and Prat de Cest. The Étang de Bages-Sigean forms the entire eastern border of the commune with numerous streams flowing  from the commune into it such as the "Ruisseau Mairal", the "Ruisseau de Boutoubouli", and the "Ruisseau des Potences". A smaller Lake - the "Étang de Saint-Paul" - is on the southern border of the commune linked to the much larger Étang de Bages-Sigean with a dam forming the border of the commune. History. The origins of the site of the present commune date back to prehistoric times. According to historians tools found in Bages attest the presence of man from the Lower Paleolithic (80,000 years ago). Undoubtedly Neanderthal then Cro-Magnon men stayed on the shores of the Narbonne  Gulf (sea at the time). The discovery of Neolithic sites proves the existence of significant human communities at that time. It was under Roman occupation that a real settlement emerged. Many plots of land were distributed to senior army veterans and there were numerous luxurious "villae". The origin of the current name is thought to have come from this period: "BAÏA" or "BAÏES" in Latin meaning "place of pleasure". Few traces remain of this period and they are often covered by vegetation. The most important are those of "Castellas" and "Monadières" - important "Villae" from the beginning of that era. The  population of the time left the flat areas to shelter from the wind by moving to the rocky outcrop seen today. This was a slightly dominant defensive position but also the climate and exposure allowed them to live without encroaching on arable land. The "Cadran Solaire" (Sundial) (11th century ) marks the entrance of the old village. A corner of the Lake can be seen from the narrow and steep streets. The village of Bages is on the edge of the lake although agriculture, especially the vineyards, forms the core of its economy (the main square of the village dates to  the Revolt of the Winemakers in 1907). Bages village is mostly considered as a fishing village. Administration. List of Successive Mayors Demography. In 2017 the commune had 803 inhabitants. Economy. Art is prominent in the commune with Painters, sculptors, visual artists, musicians, storytellers, and cabinet makers drawing inspiration. There are four permanent Art galleries: "La Maison des Arts" , "L'Etang Art" (which also has publishing activity through "Les Temps d'Art Graphique"), "Latuvu" and "NullepArt". The commune is in the zone of the "Vin de pays des Coteaux du Littoral Audois" (Local wine of Coteaux du Littoral Audois) In the fishing village  the main produce is eel which is prepared in bouillabaisse style. Culture and heritage. Religious heritage. The Church contains several items that are registered as historical objects: