Lodève lies where the plains rise up to the Larzac plateau, from Montpellier, in the valley of the :fr:Lergue|Lergue river where that river is joined by the smaller :fr:Soulondre|Soulondre. It is surrounded by green hills and vineyards and lies only from the large man-made Lac du Salagou.
Climate
Lodève enjoys a mostly mediterranean climate, with the hot summers that allow plentiful viticulture. Violent storms and torrential rain are frequently seen in late summer, leading to flooding and the muds and swamps that gave the city its name.
History
Lodève started as the capital of a tribe of the Volcae, the Lutevani, before becoming the Roman city Luteva. The town was a stopping point on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela via the Arles road. An episcopal city until the French Revolution, it was also a centre for textile production under Louis XV and was home to one of only two royal manufactories for tapestry, the other being the one of the Gobelins in Paris. More recently, the area was the centre of a firm resistance against the Nazi occupation during the Second World War.
Throughout the year, the town hosts a varied programme of festivities and events both cultural and sporting, as well as all sorts of markets. In recent years, the Museum Art Gallery has gained national acclaim for its major art exhibitions. The "Voix de la Méditerranée" poetry festival, established in 1998 takes place every July for around 9 days. Poets, musicians and writers come from many different countries on the Mediterranean to share their culture through poetry readings, concerts and other cultural events. This is considered a very special festival for poetry and is enjoyable for all. The annual "Fête de St. Fulcran", the patron saint of the town takes place in May and includes the procession of the saint's relics and a funfair.
Population
Lodève has a fairly large Algerian population, the first generation of which fought for the French and were housed here after the Algerian Civil War.
Paul Dardé, sculptor, the middle school is named after him.
Joseph Vallot, Alpinist, the highschool is named after this alpinist who installed an observatory in the Alps.
Economy
The town houses a famous carpet-manufacturing company, part of the national Savonnerie, which once supplied large, exquisite carpets to the French royal family, and still today produces hand made carpets for State buildings. Viticulture, focussed on the Carignangrape variety, is a major industry. The climate is also favourable for fruit production, and the region's peaches, apricots, melons and tomatoes are prized.
