Lacaune

For the sheep breed, see Lacaune (sheep).

Not to be confused with Lakon.

Lacaune (French pronunciation: [lakon]; Languedocien: La Cauna, meaning the cave) is a commune in the Tarn department in southern France.

Lacaune
Commune
The fountain in Lacaune
Coat of arms
Location of Lacaune
Lacaune Show map of France Lacaune Show map of Occitanie
Coordinates: 43°42′34″N 2°41′35″E
Country	France
Region	Occitania
Department	Tarn
Arrondissement	Castres
Canton	Les Hautes Terres d'Oc
Intercommunality	CC du Haut-Languedoc
Government
• Mayor (2020–2026)	Robert Bousquet[1]
Area 1	91.36 km2 (35.27 sq mi)
Population  (2022)[2]	2,469
• Density	27/km2 (70/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	81124 /81230
Elevation	598–1,274 m (1,962–4,180 ft) (avg. 800 m or 2,600 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 river Gijou has its source in the commune.

History

In 1797, the feral child Victor of Aveyron was looked after at Lacaune for a week after first being discovered in the woods, before running away.

Population

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1968	3,184	—
1975	3,260	+0.34%
1982	3,231	−0.13%
1990	3,089	−0.56%
1999	2,914	−0.65%
2007	2,763	−0.66%
2012	2,552	−1.58%
2017	2,492	−0.47%
Source: INSEE[3]

Its inhabitants are called Lacaunais in French and Cauneses in Occitan.

Points of interest

• Arboretum de Calmels

See also

• Communes of the Tarn department
• Tourism in Tarn