The first people known to have inhabited the current geographical area of the Ganges were Arecomic Volques from the East, who settled throughout the foothills of the Cévennes and in the high scrublands. The location of the town between the Languedoc plains and the Cévennes, at the confluence of the Hérault, Vis and Rieutord rivers, gave it a privileged geographical position.
Ganges has therefore been an essential place of passage and trade ever since ancient times. The herds of livestock in transhumance, going from the more arid plains in Languedoc to their summer pastures in the Aigoual mountains, naturally passed through the village in large numbers on their way along the main route to the top.
At Ganges fair on 14 January every year, the “troupeliers” were chosen. These were guides who would lead the herds up to the summer pastures. Even today, transhumant herds still pass through the village, although they are rarer nowadays.
The municipality also developed over time, with tanneries, the wool and cotton industries, clothiers and traders, to the point of becoming the capital of silk in the 18th century. Today Ganges has over 4,000 inhabitants and is primarily a trading centre where retailers and craftspeople are based.
To find out more : www.ganges.fr
