Fourtou
Commune in Occitanie, France
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fourtou (French pronunciation: [fuʁtu] ⓘ; Occitan: Forton) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France.
Fourtou | |
|---|---|
.svg) Coat of arms | |
 Location of Fourtou | |
  Fourtou  Fourtou | |
| Coordinates: 42°54′31″N 2°25′50″E | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Occitania |
| Department | Aude |
| Arrondissement | Limoux |
| Canton | La Haute-Vallée de l'Aude |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2020–2026) | Bernard Cros[1] |
Area 1 | 20.46 km2 (7.90 sq mi) |
| Population (2023)[2] | 77 |
| • Density | 3.8/km2 (9.7/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 11155 /11190 |
| Elevation | 432–926 m (1,417–3,038 ft) (avg. 670 m or 2,200 ft) |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
Geography
The commune is located in the Corbières Massif.
The village lies in the middle of the commune, on the left bank of the Moulin brook, a tributary of the Orbieu, which has its source in the northern part of the commune.
The church in the village has been renovated and is well maintained. Its bell comes from the 12 century church located below the village in a hamlet near the "Chemin des Héritiers" within the compound of the old cemetery. This older church has been recently renovated.
The town hall has also been renovated and is regularly the seat of local celebrations.
The city's mayor Bernard Cros initiated several improvements and the construction of self-catering cottage(s).
The main activity of the village consists in livestock farming.
Outside the village, are several isolated domains hosting expatriate families: (Belgian, Dutch, German, British etc.)
Culture & Spirituality
4 km S-E, nearby the old church and the site 'La Mouline', you will find the Seat of "THEG-CHOG NORBU LING", a Tibetan Kagyu monastery established by Lama Gelong Sangyay Tendzin. This religious congregation hosts a community of ten residents a mix community of ordained monastics as well as and lay people, dedicating their life to the study and practice of Buddhism.
Everyday life at THEG-CHOG NORBU LING is dedicated to the development of mindfulness through 4 hours of karma yoga, as well as 4 hours of individual and group practice of Tibetan Dharma in the Karma Kamtshang tradition. During the wintertime the members accomplish a strict two-months spiritual retreat.
Population
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 30 | — |
| 1968 | 42 | +40.0% |
| 1975 | 42 | +0.0% |
| 1982 | 46 | +9.5% |
| 1990 | 58 | +26.1% |
| 1999 | 53 | −8.6% |
| 2008 | 57 | +7.5% |
