Arrondissements of the Hérault department facts for kids

Did you know that France is divided into smaller areas to help with its government? One of these areas is called a department. The Hérault department in France has three special areas within it called arrondissements. You can think of an arrondissement like a big district or a borough.

Each arrondissement has a main city, which is like its capital. This main city is called a subprefecture. If the main city of the whole Hérault department is inside one of these arrondissements, then that city acts as both the department's capital and the arrondissement's capital.

These arrondissements are then split into even smaller parts called communes. Communes are like towns or villages.

Here's a quick look at the three arrondissements in Hérault, showing their main cities, how many people live there, and their size:

History of Hérault's Arrondissements

The Hérault department was created a long time ago. Since then, its internal divisions have changed a few times.

Early Days: Four Districts

• In 1790, when the Hérault department was first set up, it had four main areas. These were called districts.
• The four districts were Montpellier, Béziers, Lodève, and Saint-Pons.
• The main capital city for the entire department was Montpellier.

Becoming Arrondissements

• By 1800, these districts were changed into what we now call arrondissements.
• So, there were still four arrondissements: Montpellier, Béziers, Lodève, and Saint-Pons.

Changes Over Time

• In 1926, a big change happened. The arrondissements of Lodève and Saint-Pons were removed. This meant Hérault only had two arrondissements for a while.
• But then, in 1942, Lodève became an arrondissement again! This brought the total number of arrondissements back up.

See Also

• Arrondissement of Béziers
• Arrondissement of Lodève
• Arrondissement of Montpellier
• List of arrondissements of France

Images for kids

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  Map of arrondissements of the Hérault department.