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Chief town in
the district, this large village of 2000 inhabitants
dominates the vast plains of the Razes, Lauragais and
Carcassonais. Twined around its imposing Church and located
on a peak, Montréal is easily recognisable from a long way
off, both from Carcassonne and from the A9 Motorway. At all
times it has represented the necessary crossing between the
south-east and Mediterranean lands |
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Situated in the middle of communal
lands, both forested and agricultural, the commune of
Montréal encroaches upon the wooded Massif of the Malepère
and upon the plain, which is bordered in the north by the
ancient Roman road of Aquitaine (now the Bram road) and
dominated by the Montagne Noire (Black Mountains). |
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With its impressive expanse of 5,500
hectares, the commune is the result of the amalgamation of several
ancient Parishes which gradually came under the authority of
Montréal's first Castle (which now no longer exists), then of St
Vincent's Church, erected as a Collegial Church in 1318, in order to
regain a territory judged too compromised by the Cathar Order.
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On the edge of the Midi-Pyrénées and
the Languedoc-Roussillon, Montréal benefits from an oceanic climate, whilst
enjoying a Mediterranean climateto the south.
Nowadays the community sees a constant
increase in its population. More than 150 families have settled in
Montréal since the last population census in 1999.
The attraction to our village is surely
linked to its protected environment and quality of life, as well as
its geographical position, employment opportunities and advantageous
air services to Carcassonne Airport. The multiple structures, as well
as the sport and leisure facilities are a major asset, but we must not
forget the numerous and varied range of associations in Montréal that
contribute to the richness of community life and stretch beyond our
frontiers.
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The southeast of the commune has the
highest altitude (442m) and is part of the Massif of the Malepère,
about 75 hectares of significant forested communal areas mainly
composed of deciduous broadleaf trees and conifers. Situated in the
zone between the Atlantic and Mediterranean, this sector represents an
interesting ecology with the presence of extremely diversified plant
life. Many footpaths give access to the various chacacteristics of the
Malepère, in particular the Bois du Chapître. |
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The plain to the north of the commune is
dedicated to farming (essentially cereals) and to wine growing. The
agricultural diversification has permitted cultivation of cabbages,
sweetcorn, onions, leeks, tomatos and asparagus. The renovation of the
vineyards, which started in the 1980's, gave birth to the famous wine
"Côtes de la Malepère". |
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The farming area of
3,650 hectares includes 130 hectares of vineyards. Two industrial
parks are located in the boundaries of the agglomeration, one to the
east and the other one to the west of the commune. |
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