Espalion (Municipality, Aveyron, France)

Last modified: 2025-10-11 by olivier touzeau
Keywords: espalion | aveyron |
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Flag of Espalion - Image by Olivier Touzeau, 29 September 2025

• Presentation of Espalion
• Flag of Espalion

See also:

• France
• Aveyron (Department, France)

Presentation of Espalion

Espalion (4,607 inhabitants, 3,660 ha) is a commune in the north of the department of Aveyron.

The town of Espalion was born from the bridge over the Lot and from trade with the mountains. It was located on a section of the road that connected Bordeaux and Toulouse to Lyon.
From the 10th century until the Revolution, the town was dominated by the basalt castle of the lords of Calmont d'Olt, whose ruins remain to the south. They were undoubtedly descended from a lieutenant appointed
by Charlemagne.

Espalion lost its role as a sub-prefecture in 1926.

Olivier Touzeau, 29 September 2025

Flag of Espalion

The arms are blazoned: Or, a lion gules holding in its mouth a sword bendwise of the same.
Although the etymology of Espalion is obscure, these arms are canting. They were apparently designed by a local historian in the 19th century, Henri Affre, around the words épée (sword) / lion.
The flag is white with the coat of arms sumounted by a white cartouche with the name of the commune: photo (2024), video (2023), photo (2023).

Nota: the flag of the twin city of Le Coteau is hoisted in these pictures next to the flag of Espalion.

Olivier Touzeau, 29 September 2025