Villelongue (French pronunciation: [vil.lɔ̃ɡ]; Occitan: Vilalonca) is a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France.[3]

Villelongue
Viewed from the bridge of the D921 road, the Gave de Gavarnie marks the boundary between Soulom hydroelectric power station to the left and centre, and Villelongue on the right
Viewed from the bridge of the D921 road, the Gave de Gavarnie marks the boundary between Soulom hydroelectric power station to the left and centre, and Villelongue on the right
Coat of arms of Villelongue
Location of Villelongue
Map
Villelongue is located in France
Villelongue
Villelongue
Villelongue is located in Occitanie
Villelongue
Villelongue
Coordinates: 42°57′19″N 0°03′25″W / 42.9553°N 0.0569°W / 42.9553; -0.0569
CountryFrance
RegionOccitania
DepartmentHautes-Pyrénées
ArrondissementArgelès-Gazost
CantonLa Vallée des Gaves
IntercommunalityPyrénées Vallées des Gaves
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Pierre Tramont[1]
Area
1
20.46 km2 (7.90 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
368
 • Density18/km2 (47/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
65473 /65260
Elevation457–2,484 m (1,499–8,150 ft)
(avg. 500 m or 1,600 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Villelongue is situated on the flank of the Hautacam mountain, around a stream called the Ruisseau d'Isaby, and descends to the Gave de Gavarnie torrent.

It consists of a main village with a smaller hamlet above called Ortiac. Ortiac has a medieval chapel. The woods above Ortiac conceal the Abbey of Saint-Orens, now in ruins.

Villelongue has considerably expanded in recent years[when?], as new tracts are open to development and as the road infrastructure have developed to allow inhabitants to commute to Lourdes and Tarbes.

Villelongue is unusual among local towns in having a latinate name, rather than a name deriving from Bigourdan (the local dialect of the Occitan language). The name is said to derive from a Latin villa (i.e. a large farm) dating from late antiquity, situated in the lower part of the modern village, in an area known as "Las Longas".

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. 13 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ INSEE commune file