Country France Department Hérault Intercommunality Lodévois-Larzac Area 12.35 km² Arrondissement Lodève | Region Occitanie Canton Lodève Time zone CET (UTC+1) Population 710 (1999) | |
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Soubès is a commune in the Hérault department in Occitanie in southern France, situated on a hill near the confluence of the Brèze and Suberbet rivers.
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Map of 34700 Soub%C3%A8s, France
The village dates from the 12th Century, and even today only one main street, the Coural, is suitable for motor traffic. The ancient city walls are visible in many places. The village has two châteaux, a church, two schools, a Mairie, a café (Café du Terral), a small post office and a general store. A modern sports and social centre lies just outside the village proper, the other side of the D25 road to Ganges.
Economy
Until very recent times the village was surrounded by vineyards, and viticulture was the primary economic activity. Stocks of the widely grown Carignan red grape variety are very sturdy, and the characteristic vineyards of the region therefore have no trellises. Soubès never had its own wine-making facility, however, and vignerons are obliged to take their grapes to the Cave Coopérative either in Lodève or Pégairolles-de-l'Escalette.
Overproduction of the local table wine has forced a decline in viticulture recently, and the production of other fruit such as peaches and apricots has partly replaced the wine-based economy.
Festival
Like all villages of the region, Soubès takes pride in its annual fête, which is held the weekend following the first Monday in August.
Traditional festive events include dances every night, pétanque and belotte tournaments, and a very popular game of loto. Sometimes yearling bulls are run through the Coural, in a very tamed-down version of the Pamplonada.
In the month of August the population doubles and redoubles as summer visitors (estivants) arrive to enjoy the hot climate and peaceful atmosphere.
Population
Recent population growth