| Couiza | ||
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 Couiza
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Location within Languedoc-Roussillon region
Couiza
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| Coordinates: 42°56′32″N 2°15′15″E / 42.9422°N 2.2543°ECoordinates: 42°56′32″N 2°15′15″E / 42.9422°N 2.2543°E | ||
| Country | France | |
| Region | Languedoc-Roussillon | |
| Department | Aude | |
| Arrondissement | Limoux | |
| Canton | Couiza | |
| Intercommunality | Pays de Couiza | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor (2008–2014) | Jacques Hortala | |
| Area1 | 6.77 km2 (2.61 sq mi) | |
| Population (2008)2 | 1,209 | |
| • Density | 180/km2 (460/sq mi) | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 11304 / 11190 | |
| Elevation | 218–563 m (715–1,847 ft) | |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. |
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Couiza is a commune in the Aude department in southern France.
Couiza is located at the foothills of the Pyrenees, on the road between Limoux, going towards Carcassonne and Quillan, going towards Perpignan. Couiza, at the top of the Haute Valley of the Aude, is at the foot of the hill leading to Rennes-le-Château and is on the Aude River.
Population[edit]
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1962 | 1,126 | — |
| 1968 | 1,297 | +15.2% |
| 1975 | 1,314 | +1.3% |
| 1982 | 1,259 | −4.2% |
| 1990 | 1,287 | +2.2% |
| 1999 | 1,194 | −7.2% |
| 2008 | 1,209 | +1.3% |
Sights[edit]
The Château de Couiza, a 16th-century castle, was built by the Dukes of Joyeuse and is now a hotel and restaurant (Les Ducs de Joyeuse). There is also a good tourist office, another restaurant, two patisseries and a post office. There is also a church in Couiza dedicated to St. Jean the Baptist. The area around Couiza is rich in historic and geographic interest.
Transportation[edit]
The railway line from Carcassonne runs here stopping in Limoux and Espéraza on the way but the service is limited. Leaving Couiza the main road (D117) leads to Perpignan. Down to Barcelona or up to Narbonne and the TGV lines across the South of France.
