Apinac

History

According to the mayor of Estivareilles, in 1839, the residents of four hamlets in the commune of Apinac voted to become part of Estivareilles rather than Apinac, their reasoning being that not only had they always buried their dead in Estivareilles rather than Apinac but "since time immemorial", they had been spiritually connected with Estivareilles rather than Apinac. In 1881, it had a population of 1,120 people. In 1982, Apinac had a population of 355, with 406 reported in 2019. The principal church dates to the 19th century and is noted for its vibrant stained glass windows. Catholic worship was sanctioned to be held at the Apinac church by the Catholic Church of France.

Geography

Apinac is located in the extreme south-west of the Loire department, 41.7 km southwest of Saint-Étienne, 5.6 km southeast of Usson-en-Forez, 5.4 km south of Estivareilles, and 6.1 km by road to the northwest of Saint-Hilaire-Cusson-la-Valmitte. It belongs to the Canton of Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert. The altitude of the commune varies between 796 -, with 940 m cited in the centre of the main village. The hamlets of Jossy, Combreau, Fontry, and Le Breuil are near the village of Apinac.

Climate

The climate in Apinac is temperate. Rainfall is recorded all through the year and the average annual rainfall is 787 mm. The lowest average monthly rainfall is recorded during the driest month of February while the maximum average monthly rainfall is 92 mm, reported in June. The average monthly temperatures vary from a maximum of 16.2 C in July to a minimum of -2 C in January. The average annual temperature is however 7.8 C.

Demographics

In 2020, Apinac had a population of 397 people, in 197 households. There were 343 houses, of which 197 were the main residence, 129 were second homes, and 18 were not occupied. 321 were houses and 19 were flats. Of 197 main residences, 157 were occupied by their owners, 31 were leased and occupied by tenants, and 9 were given gratuitously.

|1968 |416 |1975 |393 |1982 |354 |1990 |330 |1999 |304 |2007 |370 |2012 |418 |2017 |416 |2023 |437

Economy

In 2007, the population of working age consisted of 222 people; 151 were active and 71 were inactive. Of the 151 active, 141 were occupied (81 men and 60 women) and 10 were unemployed. Of the 71 inactive, 34 were retired, 15 were students, and 22 were classified as "other inactive". In 2009, the median annual income tax was €16,310 per person.

Of the 13 establishments that were in Apinac in 2007, there was one food company, six construction companies, three trade companies, one transport company, one real estate company, and one service company. As of 2009, it had three shops, including a bakery. In 2000, there were 25 farms in the commune of Apinac, occupying a total of 558 ha.

Attractions

A heritage building dated to 1893 is near the village. The isolated house on the highland at an elevation of 1000 m has been refurbished.

Notable people

• Philippe Bransiet (1792-1874), Superior General of the Christian Brothers.

References

References

1. (9 August 2021). "Répertoire national des élus: les maires".
2. Lehning, James R.. (28 April 1995). "Peasant and French: Cultural Contact in Rural France During the Nineteenth Century". Cambridge University Press.
3. [https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/fichier/6011070/ensemble.pdf Téléchargement du fichier d'ensemble des populations légales en 2019], [[Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques. INSEE]]
4. {{Google maps. link
5. ((Société d'agriculture, industrie, sciences, arts et belles-lettres du département de la Loire)). (1879). "Annales".
6. Bedoin, Maurice. (1985). "Le Pays Stéphanois, la Vallée de l'Ondaine". Ed. Horvath.
7. Conterie, Françoise de La. (1989). "Les noms de lieux en -ac dans l'ancien diocèse du Puy". Condamunes et Matourets.
8. "Climate: Apinac". Climate Data organization.
9. "Logement en 2020". INSEE.
10. [https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/8643952?geo=COM-42006#tableau-POPREF_G1 Population municipale entre 1968 et 2023], INSEE
11. "Revenus fiscaux des ménages en 2010". INSEE.
12. "Exploitations agricoles". INSEE.
13. "Apinac Site centre permanent". Official website of Apinac.