Sainte-Agnès (Occitan: Sant Anha, Sant Anh, Santa Anhès or Santa Anh; Vivaro-Alpine: Santa Anha) is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in Southeastern France. It is the highest village in the area, perched 800 metres above the level of the Mediterranean Sea. It was included on the list of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (The Most Beautiful Villages of France) in 1997.
Sainte-Agnès
Sant Anha (Occitan) | |
|---|---|
 A view of Sainte-Agnès | |
 Coat of arms | |
Location of Sainte-Agnès  | |
  Sainte-Agnès  Sainte-Agnès | |
| Coordinates: 43°48′05″N 7°27′44″E / 43.8014°N 7.4622°E | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur |
| Department | Alpes-Maritimes |
| Arrondissement | Nice |
| Canton | Menton |
| Intercommunality | CA Riviera Française |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2020–2026) | Albert Filippi[1] |
Area 1 | 9.37 km2 (3.62 sq mi) |
| Population (2021)[2] | 1,351 |
| • Density | 140/km2 (370/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC 01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC 02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 06113 /06500 |
| Elevation | 66–1,238 m (217–4,062 ft) |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
History
editThe Fort Maginot de Sainte-Agnès, which was built as part of the Maginot Line in 1932, is now a museum. It was built to defend the area against possible Italian and German invasion. However, it was never used since the invaders went around it. Tourist can enter the fort which could house between 300 and 400 soldiers for up to three months. Tour schedules are irregular so tourists have to make sure to confirm before visiting.[3]
Geography
editThe narrow road to the village provides views of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Menton and on to Italy. Visitors can get to Menton by train and take the bus (line 10) from the Gare Routière station to Sainte-Agnès. It is also possible to drive for 25 minutes along the scenic road. The village sits overlooking the city of Menton and the Mediterranean.
Demographics
edit| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 304 | — |
| 1975 | 361 | 2.49% |
| 1982 | 455 | 3.36% |
| 1990 | 944 | 9.55% |
| 1999 | 1,094 | 1.65% |
| 2009 | 1,212 | 1.03% |
| 2014 | 1,157 | −0.92% |
| 2020 | 1,336 | 2.43% |
| Source: INSEE[4] | ||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 2 December 2020.
- ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
- ^ Ursula. "Sainte-Agnes, the Highest Village in the Mediterranean | Yo de Viajes". Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
