Châteauneuf-Miravail (French: [ʃɑtonœf miʁavaj]; Occitan: Chastèunòu-Miravalh) is a commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France.

Châteauneuf-Miravail
Chastèunòu-Miravalh (Occitan)
The chapel of Saint-Mary, in Châteauneuf-Miravail
The chapel of Saint-Mary, in Châteauneuf-Miravail
Coat of arms of Châteauneuf-Miravail
Location of Châteauneuf-Miravail
Map
Châteauneuf-Miravail is located in France
Châteauneuf-Miravail
Châteauneuf-Miravail
Châteauneuf-Miravail is located in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Châteauneuf-Miravail
Châteauneuf-Miravail
Coordinates: 44°09′47″N 5°43′38″E / 44.1631°N 5.7272°E / 44.1631; 5.7272
CountryFrance
RegionProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
DepartmentAlpes-de-Haute-Provence
ArrondissementForcalquier
CantonSisteron
IntercommunalityJabron Lure Vançon Durance
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Jean-Philippe Martinod[1]
Area
1
19.7 km2 (7.6 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
74
 • Density3.8/km2 (9.7/sq mi)
DemonymCastelnovins
Time zoneUTC 01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC 02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
04051 /04200
Elevation619–1,628 m (2,031–5,341 ft)
(avg. 710 m or 2,330 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Geography

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The Jabron and Druigne rivers run through Châteauneuf-Miravail.

History

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An altar to the Roman god Mars dates back to the Gallo-Roman era.

Charters for the locality first appeared in the 12th century, when Châteauneuf-Miravail acted as a stronghold for the town of Saint-Vincent-sur-Jabron.

In 1792, during the revolution, a patriotic society was formed in the town. Following the decree of the National Convention of October 16, 1793 for towns holding names reminiscent of royalty or feudalism to create new names, the community became known as Auche-la-Garde.

Population

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Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1968 54—    
1975 62 1.99%
1982 71 1.96%
1990 57−2.71%
1999 68 1.98%
2009 76 1.12%
2014 74−0.53%
2020 73−0.23%
Source: INSEE[3]

Inhabitants are known as Castelnovins.

Sights

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The Jabron valley is dominated by the ruins of the 17th century Chateau Graves. On the Aouche la Garde ridge stand a tower and curtain wall, now in ruins, which survey the Jabron and Chateauneuf valleys.

In Lange, the principal section of the commune, one home is inscribed with the date 1620 on its lintel.

The church of Saint Mari (also Saint Mary) in Lange is considered exceptional by French historian Raymond Collier, who gives the building considerable attention in his book La Haute-Provence monumentale et artistique. The nave and apse of the church are barrel vaulted. The apse is rectangular in shape with a flat chevet. The posterior walls of each aisle are of original 17th century construction, a rarity for the region. The current facade has been modified from the original. The wall and bell tower are on the same axis, but a different axis from that of the nave. The choir and the nave are of typical construction for the late 13th and early 14th century period in which they were built.

The church holds a statue of Saint Mary. The image of the crucifixion contained within the church shows Christ on the cross, with the Virgin and two unidentified people to his left. The image is unusual in that it is surrounded by two penitent figures. A painting of Saint Roch, as a pilgrim with his dog, with the patron saint of the church can also be seen. This painting is rare in that Saint Roch is typically depicted in sculpture rather than pictorial image.

Another painting dating to 1687, although painted in a post-primitive style, represents Saint Joseph holding a scepter and book. On each of his sides stand Saint Patrick and Saint Eloi. The painting is considered to be an historic monument.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE