Clermont-sur-Lauquet is a tiny French commune located in the administrative region of Occitanie, within the Aude department in southern France. According to the most commonly cited figures, the commune had 26 residents in 2017, making it one of the smaller municipal units by population in the country.
Overview and name
The place name combines "Clermont," a common French toponym suggesting a clear or elevated site, with "sur-Lauquet," which indicates proximity to the Lauquet watercourse. Such compound names are widespread in France and typically describe a village’s geography or historic ties to a nearby stream or valley.
Characteristics and governance
Like all French communes, Clermont-sur-Lauquet is the basic local government unit and is administered by a mayor and municipal council. Its tiny population means municipal affairs are modest in scale; local services and cooperative projects are often organised together with neighbouring communes through intercommunal structures.
Landscape, economy and heritage
The setting is rural, representative of parts of Aude: rolling fields, patches of woodland and agricultural plots. Economic life in such hamlets tends to centre on farming, small-scale viticulture in the wider department and activities connected to countryside living. Buildings often reflect traditional regional materials and layout; any historic buildings or a village church would be typical focal points for local identity.
Context and significance
Although small, communes like Clermont-sur-Lauquet are important administratively and culturally in France. They preserve local place names, manage rural land and keep community traditions alive. Visitors seeking quiet rural landscapes, local history or walking opportunities can find these values in tiny communes across Occitanie.