Laàs (French pronunciation: [las]; Occitan: Lars) is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.

Laàs
The town hall of Laàs
The town hall of Laàs
Coat of arms of Laàs
Location of Laàs
Map
Laàs is located in France
Laàs
Laàs
Laàs is located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Laàs
Laàs
Coordinates: 43°22′57″N 0°51′00″W / 43.3825°N 0.85°W / 43.3825; -0.85
CountryFrance
RegionNouvelle-Aquitaine
DepartmentPyrénées-Atlantiques
ArrondissementOloron-Sainte-Marie
CantonOrthez et Terres des Gaves et du Sel
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Jacques Pedehontaa[1]
Area
1
6.46 km2 (2.49 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
138
 • Density21/km2 (55/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
64287 /64390
Elevation63–235 m (207–771 ft)
(avg. 142 m or 466 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Neighbouring villages include Orriule to the north, Andrein to the north-west, Narp to the east, Barraute-Camu to the west, and Montfort to the south.

The town is notable for its self-declared secession from France as the Principality of Laàs en Béarn.

Le Château de Laàs

Principality of Laàs

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The Principality of Laàs en Béarn is an initiative of the mayor of Laàs, Jacques Pédehontaà. He first proposed the idea in August 2011 to protest against the administrative reforms of the French government.[3]

As of May 2014, the principality is registered as a non-profit association in the Prefecture of Pau.[4] In August 2014 it presented three animation projects, including a Hollywood Walk of Fame-like boulevard.[5]

The Principality officially declared its independence on 1 January 2015.[6]

 
Original flag of the Principality of Laàs

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 4 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Un village béarnais veut devenir une principauté", Le Parisien Libéré, 21 August 2011, online.
  4. ^ "Et si la petite commune de Laàs devenait une principauté ?", La République des Pyrénées, 3 May 2014, online.
  5. ^ "Mariages princiers et Hollywood des Transhumances en principauté de Laàs", La République des Pyrénées, 19 August 2014, online.
  6. ^ "France: The principality of Laàs en Béarn | All media content | DW.COM | 29.10.2014". DW.COM. Archived from the original on 2016-09-23. Retrieved 2016-01-03.