Assas

French commune
nomcommune=Assas
Saint-Martial church
région=Languedoc-Roussillon
département=Hérault
arrondissement=Montpellier
canton=Castries
insee=34014
cp=34820
gentilé=
maire=Jacques Graut
mandat=2001-2008
intercomm=Pic-Saint-Loup
longitude=3.9
latitude=43.7027777778
alt moy=85 m
alt mini= 59 m
alt maxi= 164 m
hectares= 1,911
km²= 19.11
sans= 1,305
date-sans=1999
dens=68
date-dens=1999

Assas is a commune in the Hérault department in southern France. The inhabitants are called "Assadins".

Geography

Located just north of Montpellier, Assas lies near Saint-Vincent de Barbeyrargues, Guzargues, Clapiers, Jacou, Castries and Teyran. The region near Assas is primarily scrubland, but it is watered by a number of streams and brooks and has a small wooded area that produces mushrooms in the fall.

The village of Assas is organized around the Château d'Assas, located on a hill overlooking the small but quaint old village.

Viticulture

The region containing Assas is a productive wine-making area, and has the appellation "Grès de Montpellier". This is part of the AOC Coteaux du Languedoc designation.

Monuments and tourist sites in Assas

* Château d'Assas, an 18^th century "folie montpellierraine", designed by the architect Jean-Antoine Giral (1700-1787), was built in 1759/1760 on the ruins of a feudal castle. It is a private residence, but can be toured either by appointment or on national holidays. A historic 18^th century harpsichord is preserved in the Château, a favoured instrument of harpsichordist Scott Ross (1951-1989), who died in Assas.
The château was used as a set in the filming of La Belle Noiseuse, a film by Jacques Rivette (1991).
* A church of the 11^th or 12^th century, completely restored at the beginning of the 21^st century.
* Remains of the 10^th or 11^th century fortifications.
* Old village.

External links

* [http://www.assas.fr/ Commune d'Assas, official website]
* [http://www.ign.fr/affiche_rubrique.asp?rbr_id=1087&CommuneId=35217 Assas on the website of l'Institut géographique national]
* [http://www.recensement.insee.fr/RP99/rp99/co_navigation.co_page?nivgeo=C&codgeo=34014&theme=ALL&typeprod=ALL&lang=FR&quelcas=LISTE Assas on the Insee website]
* [http://www.lion1906.com/Pages/ResultatLocalisation.php?InseeVille=340014 Map of France locating Assas]
* [http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?latlongtype=decimal&latitude=43.7027777777778&longitude=3.9&zoom=8 Map of Assas on Mapquest]
* [http://assas.wordpress.com/ Assas photos - not an official site]