Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens
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A general view of Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens
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 Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens
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Location within Occitanie region
Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens
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| Coordinates: 43°30′51″N 3°30′53″E / 43.5142°N 3.5147°ECoordinates: 43°30′51″N 3°30′53″E / 43.5142°N 3.5147°E | ||
| Country | France | |
| Region | Occitanie | |
| Department | Hérault | |
| Arrondissement | Béziers | |
| Canton | Mèze | |
| Intercommunality | Hérault Méditerranée | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor (2008–2014) | Jean-Pierre Soulier | |
| Area1 | 13.58 km2 (5.24 sq mi) | |
| Population (2008)2 | 619 | |
| • Density | 46/km2 (120/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 34285 /34230 | |
| Elevation | 18–185 m (59–607 ft) (avg. 100 m or 330 ft) |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens is a commune in the Hérault department in the Occitanie region in southern France.
A tiny village perched on a hill, St. Pons de Machines is a typical example of the circulade type of village dating back to the eleventh and twelfth centuries.The Bishops of Agde built the city castle in 1199. A fine mill, the "Moulin de Roquemengarde" on the river Hérault is only 4 km away. To really escape from the modern world, there is a recently restored footpath (17km), nicely marked, leading from the village environs right out into the hilly garrigue countryside, perfumed with thyme, lavender and rosemary.
There is a legend about the village's name. One of the castle's lords owned a pack of ferocious dogs ("chiens" in French) that he let loose at nightfall. One day, he arrived home late and the castle doors were locked. The dogs did not recognize their master, savagely attacking his throat, tearing him to pieces. His last words were "Mauvais chiens !" The village is called St-Pons-de-MAUCHIENS, machines being an abbreviation of 'Mauvais chiens'.
Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens has Hérault's only cricket club, allowing league and friendly play against visiting touring sides. The club also demonstrates and coaches cricket in local village schools.
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