Craponne-sur-Arzon


Craponne-sur-Arzon is a commune in the Haute-Loire department in south-central France.

Location

The town of Craponne-sur-Arzon is located in the north of the department of Haute-Loire, on the border with the departments of Puy-de-Dôme in the north, and the Loire in the east. Sauvessanges, Usson-in-Forez, Saint-Georges-Lagricol, Beaune-sur-Arzon, Jullianges, Saint-Victor-sur-Arlanc and Saint-Jean-d'Aubrigoux are the bordering communes. Finally, as the crow flies, the town is located 32 km from Le Puy-en-Velay, the prefecture, 45 km from Saint-Étienne and 77 km from Clermont-Ferrand.
Located on a granitic plateau mostly situated at more than 900 meters of altitude, the commune has a minimum altitude of 771 meters, near the Bois de l'Or, in the south-east part of the commune, along the river Ance. Its maximum altitude is about 1063 meters, the highest point being located near the place called Le Fêtre, in the north of the town.
The area of the town is 3337 hectares.

History

Located since the Gallo-Roman era at the crossroads of strategic routes, the rural town of Craponne-sur-Arzon developed into a market town, where markets and fairs were held, as evidenced by many toponyms. In the feudal era, the town was surrounded by a wall, built in 1450—from which two small defensive towers have been preserved until today—and this wall was defended by a castle. In 1576, the castle was demolished, with the exception of the tower entrance. This castle belonged until 1240 to the barons of Beaumont, before passing into the hands of the lords of Chalençon, who became the Polignac family in 1420.

Hydrography

Two main rivers traverse the municipality of Craponne-sur-Arzon. The first, the Ance, has its source in the Monts du Forez near Pierre-sur-Haute, crossing the town on its western part. The Arzon crosses the commune on its eastern part, forming the natural frontier of the commune. Its source is located in the wood of Viviers, in the town of Medeyrolles.
The town is located in the Loire river basin.

Population

Events

Astronomical Spring Meetings have been held in the city since 2004. More than 300 amateur astronomers gather every year during the weekend of Ascension to observe the sky and for friendly exchanges between enthusiasts.
Since 1993, Craponne-sur-Arzon has hosted a large country music festival, among the largest in Europe, every year on the last weekend of July.