Saissac | |
Commune Status: | Commune |
Image Coat Of Arms: | Blason ville fr Saissac (Aude).svg |
Arrondissement: | Carcassonne |
Canton: | La Malepère à la Montagne Noire |
Insee: | 11367 |
Postal Code: | 11310 |
Mayor: | Eric Beteille[1] |
Term: | 2020 - 2026 |
Coordinates: | 43.3617°N 2.1694°W |
Elevation M: | 500 |
Elevation Min M: | 166 |
Elevation Max M: | 742 |
Area Km2: | 57.03 |
Saissac (in French pronounced as /sɛsak/) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France.
The village is perched in the foothills of the Montagne Noire (Black Mountain) at an altitude of 467 m and has views of the Vernassonne Gorge as well as the valley plain which stretches between Carcassonne and Castelnaudary.
The name of the village first appeared in the 10th century and originates from the Gallo-Romain Saxiago. The history of the village is strongly linked to the Château built in the 10th century.
Near Saissac, there is a transmitter for broadcasting messages to submerged submarines, the La Regine Transmitter. Its mast was built in 1973 and is 330 metres tall – taller than Eiffel Tower.