Antraigues-sur-Volane is located 5 kilometres north of Vals-les-Bains and 14 km north of Aubenas. The village lies on the edge of the Ardèche Cévennes with the northern boundary ending at the Mézilhac Pass and the Vivarais Mountains. Access to the commune is on the D578 road from Val-les-Bains in the south to the village then continuing north through the heart of the commune to Laviolle in the north. There is also the D254 going west from the D578 just outside the village via a mountainous route to Labastide-sur-Besorgues in the west. Similarly the D318 road goes east from the village by a mountainous route to Genestelle in the east. The commune is mountainous with some mountain roads accessing parts of the commune.
Hydrology
The Volaneriver flowsfrom the north through the commune where it is joined by many tributaries including the Ruisseau de Rouyon, the Ruisseau du Bouchet, the Ruisseau des Fuels, the Rivière de Bise, the Ruisseau de Coupe, and many other unnamed streams.
Neighbouring communes and villages
History
In 1841 the commune of Laviolle was created from a part of Antraigues
Antraigues took its current name on 20 August 1989
In the 1960s Mayor Jean Saussac brought in many artists such as Jacques Brel, Lino Ventura, Pierre Brasseur, Claude Nougaro, Alexander Calder, Allain Leprest Francesca Solleville, Aubret Isabelle and Jean Ferrat, who settled permanently in the village and became deputy mayors in charge of culture. As a result, the nickname "Little Saint Tropez of the Ardèche" was attributed to the commune
Administration
List of Successive Mayors of Antraigues-sur-Volane
In 2010 the commune had 544 inhabitants. The evolution of the number of inhabitants is known through the population censuses conducted in the town since 1793. From the 21st century, a census of municipalities with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants is held every five years, unlike larger towns that have a sample survey every year.
Distribution of Age Groups
The population of the town is relatively old. The rate of persons above the age of 60 years is significantly higher than the national rate and the departmental level. Unlike the national and departmental allocations, the male population percentage for the commune is greater than the female population. The distribution of the population of the municipality by age groups in 2008 was as follows:
49.8% of men ;
50.2% of women.
Percentage Distribution of Age Groups in Antraigues-sur-Volane and Ardèche Department in 2008
The commune has been an integral part of the Regional Natural Park of Monts d'Ardèche since its inception on 9 April 2001. The commune has two ZNIEFFtype II areas in its territory named: "Line of the crest of the Mézilhac to the Escrinet Pass" "Watersheds of the Volane, the Dorne, and the Bézorgues" The town also includes four ZNIEFF type I areas:
"Rocks and moors of the volcano forest"
"Streams of the Volane, the Mas, the Bise, and the Gamondes"
"Plateau of Pradou and the Field of Mars"
"Slopes of the Crau volcano"
Panoramic view
Notable People linked to the commune
Jean-Louis Giraud-Soulavie, also known as Father Soulavie, geologist, diplomat, a native of Antraigues although born in Largentière, appointed vicar of Antraigues in 1776
Jean Saussac, painter, former mayor of Antraigues and decorator for films including Le Vieux Fusil, Le Secret, and Les Grandes gueules
Jean Ferrat, poet, lyricist, and French singer. Antraigues, where he settled in 1964, inspired him including his song La Montagne. He was deputy mayor during the 1970s. He is buried in the local cemetery with his brother André
Christine Sèvres born Boissonnet, wife of Jean Ferrat
