Arrien-en-Bethmale

Arrien-en-Bethmale (Arrienh de Vathmala) is a commune in the Ariège department in the Occitanie region of south-western France.

Geography
Arrien-en-Bethmale consists of the villages of Aret, Arrian, Tournac, and Villargein, all located in the Pyrenees mountains in the Bethmale valley in the former province of Couserans some 12 km south-west of Saint-Girons and 3 km south of Castillon-en-Couserans. It is part of the Regional Natural Park of Pyrenees Ariège. Access to the commune is by the D17 road from Les Bordes-sur-Lez in the north-west passing through the commune and the village and continuing south-east to Bethmale. The commune is a rugged alpine commune heavily forested in many parts.

The Ruisseau de Cournelliere and the De Leaude rise north-east of the village and flow down to the south-west to join the Balamet river which flows down the valley to join the Lez north-west of the commune just south of Les Bordes-sur-Lez. The Ruisseau de Mourtis flows through the south of the commune also into the Lez.

History
The commune was created in 1931 when it separated from the commune of Bethmale.

Arrien-en-Bethmale has a very ancient history, as evidenced by the discovery of a funerary inscription dating probably from the 1st century.

Administration
List of Successive Mayors

Demography
The inhabitants of the commune are known as Arrienois or Arrienoises in French.





Religious heritage
The Church contains several items that are registered as historical objects:
 * An Altar, Retable, Tabernacle, 3 Statues, and a Painting (18th century)
 * 2 Candlesticks (18th century)
 * An Altar, Retable, Tabernacle, 2 Paintings, and 2 Bas-Reliefs (18th century)
 * An Altar, Retable, Tabernacle, 3 Statues, and a Painting (18th century)

Notable people linked to the commune

 * Roman Caramalli as monk for the Parish from 1999 to 2005 contributed to the recognition of the commune by promoting local culture.