Tartaras

Tartaras is a commune in the Loire department in central France.

Tartaras
Commune
Double lock and rock tunnel
Coat of arms
Location of Tartaras
Tartaras Show map of France Tartaras Show map of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Coordinates: 45°33′17″N 4°40′09″E
Country	France
Region	Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Department	Loire
Arrondissement	Saint-Étienne
Canton	Rive-de-Gier
Intercommunality	Saint-Étienne Métropole
Government
• Mayor (2020–2026)	Jérôme Gabiaud[1]
Area 1	3.91 km2 (1.51 sq mi)
Population  (2022)[2]	957
• Density	240/km2 (630/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	42307 /42800
Elevation	190–348 m (623–1,142 ft) (avg. 320 m or 1,050 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Geography

It is in the Gier valley just north of the river, between Rive-de-Gier to the west and Saint-Romain-en-Gier to the east.

History

The village dates back to the Roman era. Gallo-Roman sarcophagi are still visible in the town. During the 19th century Tartaras was in the heart of a coal basin.

Population

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1968	269	—
1975	279	+0.52%
1982	290	+0.55%
1990	366	+2.95%
1999	596	+5.57%
2009	753	+2.37%
2014	825	+1.84%
2020	926	+1.94%
Source: INSEE[3]

Sights

• The maison familiale rurale de Tartaras (Tartarus rural family home) is an institution recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture that offers training schemes in the 4th of the professional baccalaureate: horticulture and landscape works.^[4]
• The Givors canal, built in 1761–81, passed by the village. At coordinates 45.550114°N 4.673738°E / 45.550114; 4.673738 in Tartaras a tunnel 100 metres (330 ft) long and 5 metres (16 ft) wide was broken through solid rock.^[5] The tunnel and double lock at its entrance have been preserved as a monument, although the canal has mostly been filled in.^[6]

Personalities

• Charles Bossut (1730-1814), mathematician, was born in Tartarus.