Naussac-Fontanes is a commune in the department of Lozère, located in the Occitanie region of southern France. The commune was established on 1 January 2016 through the merger of the former communes of Naussac and Fontanes.
Geography
The commune lies within the arrondissement of Mende and is part of the canton of Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole. Its territory encompasses the valleys of the Tarn and the Lot rivers, featuring a mixture of forested hills and agricultural land typical of the Lozère department.
History
The creation of Naussac-Fontanes resulted from a national territorial reform encouraging the consolidation of small communes to improve administrative efficiency. The former communes of Naussac and Fontanes, each with historical roots dating back to the medieval period, combined their municipal councils and public services under the new communal structure.
Administration
Naussac-Fontanes is governed by a municipal council elected for a six‑year term, headed by a mayor. The commune is identified by the INSEE code 48105 and uses the postal code 48100.
Demographics
Population figures for the newly formed commune are aggregated from the 2015 census data of the two predecessor communes. Detailed and up‑to‑date demographic statistics are compiled by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) but are not specified here due to the lack of a single, post‑merger census at the time of writing.
Economy and Infrastructure
The local economy is primarily based on agriculture, forestry, and small‑scale tourism, leveraging the natural scenery of the surrounding mountains and rivers. Basic public services, including a town hall and primary school, are situated in the former village centers of Naussac and Fontanes.
References
- “Commune de Naussac-Fontanes (48105).” INSEE, the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies.
- “Arrêté préfectoral portant création de la commune nouvelle de Naussac-Fontanes.” Prefecture of Lozère, 2015.
Note: Demographic and administrative details are based on publicly available French government records as of 2023.