Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens
Commune
A general view of Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens
Coat of arms
Location of Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens
Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens Show map of France Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens Show map of Occitanie
Coordinates: 43°30′51″N 3°30′53″E / 43.5142°N 3.5147°E / 43.5142; 3.5147
Country	France
Region	Occitania
Department	Hérault
Arrondissement	Béziers
Canton	Mèze
Intercommunality	CA Hérault Méditerranée
Government
• Mayor (2020–2026)	Christine Pradel^[1]
Area ¹	13.58 km² (5.24 sq mi)
Population (2021)^[2]	635
• Density	47/km² (120/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	34285 /34230
Elevation	18–185 m (59–607 ft) (avg. 100 m or 330 ft)
¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens (French pronunciation: [sɛ̃ pɔ̃s də moʃjɛ̃]; Occitan: Sant Ponç de Mauchins) is a commune in the Hérault department in the Occitanie region in southern France.

Geography

A tiny village perched on a hill, St. Pons de Mauchiens is a typical example of the circulade type of village dating back to the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The Bishops of Agde built the city castle in 1199. A fine mill, the "Moulin de Roquemengarde" on the river Hérault is only 4 km away. To really escape from the modern world, there is a recently restored footpath (17 km), nicely marked, leading from the village environs right out into the hilly garrigue countryside, perfumed with thyme, lavender and rosemary.

History

There is a legend about the village's name. One of the castle's lords owned a pack of ferocious dogs ("chiens" in French) that he let loose at nightfall. One day, he arrived home late and the castle doors were locked. The dogs did not recognize their master, savagely attacking his throat, tearing him to pieces. His last words were "Mauvais chiens !" The village is called St-Pons-de-MAUCHIENS, machines being an abbreviation of 'Mauvais chiens'.

Population

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1962	499	—
1968	511	+2.4%
1975	416	−18.6%
1982	411	−1.2%
1990	399	−2.9%
1999	513	+28.6%
2008	619	+20.7%

Sport

Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens has Hérault's only cricket club, allowing league and friendly play against visiting touring sides. The club also demonstrates and coaches cricket in local village schools.

Personalities

Marie Sagnier, born February 28, 1898, at St-Pons-de-Mauchiens, d. 1996. Righteous among the Nations for saving Jewish children in her then primary school at Murat (Cantal), Auvergne In French