Ganges (; Languedocien: Gange) is a commune in the Hérault department in Occitanie in southern France.
Location
Ganges is situated at the confluence of the Hérault and Rieutord rivers.Languedoc, Rousillon, Tarn Gorges, 2nd ed., Michelin Tyre plc, 1998, p 193
History The castle, of which only ruins remain, was the scene of a murder in the 17th century that was the subject of Gothic fiction by both the Marquis de Sade and Alexandre Dumas Père.The marquise de ganges 1 Feb 2025 The beautiful Dianne de Roussan was killed by her husband's brothers, who wanted her large fortune. They were caught and subsequently executed.
Ganges became prosperous from the manufacture of fine silk stockings during the reign of Louis XIV. Natural silk was replaced by artificial, and later by nylon, and cottage industry gave way to factories; half a dozen or so still produce high quality stockings.
As a predominantly Huguenot town, it was involved in the Camisard revolts of the late 17th and early 18th century— Abbe Julien ROUQUETTE, Histoire de la ville de Ganges, Montpellier, Imprimerie de la Manufacture de la Charité, 1904, in- 8°, 300 p. - in French and suffered from the anti-Protestant Dragonnades of the French monarchy.Dragonnades en Languedoc, conversions en masse, interdictions et démolitions de temples. — Notes manuscrites trouvées en tête d'un Nouveau Testament et d'un Psautier Cévenols (1683-1685) in French 1 Feb 2025
In August 1944, German forces retreating from Toulouse tried to force a way down the Hérault valley through Ganges towards Nimes; they were repelled on August 24 by the defence of the Aigoual-Cévennes maquis.Languedoc, Rousillon, Tarn Gorges.Midi Libre (in French) accessed 1 Feb 2025F. LEONARD, Groupe 11, souvenirs d’un maquisard de l’Aigoual. Nîmes, 2005; M. FRATISSIER, La bataille de Ganges, Ganges, s. d.
Population
Tourism The area around Ganges offers extensive activities, including kayaking, gliding and go-karting.
The moped mobylette was created by a resident of Ganges and a plaque near the old town commemorates this fact.
International relations Ganges is the twin town of Schwalmtal (Germany).
Famous people It was the birthplace of the author, poet and composer Antoine Fabre d'Olivet (December 8, 1767, – March 25, 1825, Paris).
See also Communes of the Hérault department
References