Lecques

Commune in Occitania, France

(2020–2026) Bernadette Poher^[1]Area5.2 km² (2.0 sq mi)Population456 • Density88/km² (230/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)INSEE/Postal codeElevation26–111 m (85–364 ft)
(avg. 50 m or 160 ft)¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Lecques (French pronunciation: [lɛk]; Occitan: Lècas) is a commune in the Gard department in southern France.

It is built on rising ground, on the west bank of the River Vidourle, 6 km (3.7 mi) to the north and upstream of Sommières. The village centre is on a rocky outcrop that overhangs the bank of the river.^[3] Steps lead down to the bridge. Its elevation means it is protected from the 'vidourlades' or violent floods, for example, that of 9 September 2002.^[4] There are remains of the ramparts, the narrow medieval streets and a church.

Etymology

The name 'Lecques' comes from the Celtic word 'leucas', meaning a settlement by a marker post on an ancient track.^[3]

Population

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1962	191	—
1968	203	+6.3%
1975	165	−18.7%
1982	182	+10.3%
1990	215	+18.1%
1999	216	+0.5%
2008	371	+71.8%

• 
  The bridge and River Vidourle
• 
  The church in the village
• 
  Steps from village to river, with markers of flood levels
• 
  Swimming in the river

See also

• Communes of the Gard department

References