Aigne (French pronunciation: [ɛɲ]; Occitan: Anha) is a commune in the Hérault department in the Occitanie region of southern France.
Aigne | |
|---|---|
 General view of Aigne | |
 Coat of arms | |
Location of Aigne  | |
  Aigne  Aigne | |
| Coordinates: 43°20′00″N 2°47′52″E / 43.3333°N 2.7978°E | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Occitania |
| Department | Hérault |
| Arrondissement | Béziers |
| Canton | Saint-Pons-de-Thomières |
| Intercommunality | CC du Minervois au Caroux |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2020–2026) | Yves Fraisse[1] |
| Area 1 | 10.94 km2 (4.22 sq mi) |
| Population (2021)[2] | 288 |
| • Density | 26/km2 (68/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 34006 /34210 |
| Elevation | 79–273 m (259–896 ft) (avg. 150 m or 490 ft) |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
Geography
editAigne is located some 25 km north-west of Narbonne and 40 km north-east of Carcassonne. The commune can be accessed by the D910 road from Beaufort in the south-west continuing through the commune and the village to Aigues-Vives in the north-east. The D177 minor road also comes from Azillanet in the west to the village then continues north to join the D907 at the northern border of the commune. The south-eastern border of the commune is also the border between the Herault and Aude departments. Most of the commune is undulating farmland with large areas of forest especially towards the west.[3]
Numerous streams rise in the commune and flow towards the south-west. The Ruisseau d'Embusque forms a large part of the south-eastern border.[3]
History
edit- A Neolithic presence has been found in Mouchas, Mouleyres and Embusco.
- Large Roman Villas have been found at: Saint-Michel, La Prade, Les Mouleyres, Sainte-Leocadie, and Les Clauses
- Slate Tombs have been found at: Saints-Abdon-et-Sennen, La Prade, Sainte-Leocadie, Le Caïrou, Sainte-Luchaire, and Les Mouleyres.
The Treil of Pardailhan were the last noble Aigne family: they were also Barons of Pardailhan and Lords of La Caunette.
Heraldry
edit| Blazon: Gules, a grapevine eradicated in Vert, leaved and fruited Argent, surmounting a crescent the same; in chief Azure charged with three mullets of Or inverted.
|
Administration
editList of successive mayors of Aigne[4]
| From | To | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 2026 | Yves Fraisse |
Population
editThe inhabitants of the commune are known as Aignois or Aignoises in French.[5]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 321 | — |
| 1975 | 265 | −2.70% |
| 1982 | 237 | −1.58% |
| 1990 | 209 | −1.56% |
| 1999 | 234 | +1.26% |
| 2007 | 258 | +1.23% |
| 2012 | 269 | +0.84% |
| 2017 | 269 | +0.00% |
| Source: INSEE[6] | ||
Economy
editAigne has a cooperative winery located at the entrance of the village. This winery has been absorbed by the cellar of Azillanet and no longer makes wine.
Culture and heritage
editCivil heritage
edit- L'Escargot (The Snail) is a unique architectural building dating from the 11th century. This is a spiral of houses centred on the church square which is only accessible by a private porch. It was once flanked by a drawbridge and defended by a portcullis. It is likely that this architecture was the result of a strategic choice of defense.
Religious heritage
editThe Church contains two items which are registered as historical objects:
- An Altar and Tabernacle (18th century)
[7]
- A Bronze bell (1616)
Tourism
editThere are several sites to visit with a restaurant on the town square and craft workshops.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 2 December 2020.
- ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
- ^ a b Google Maps
- ^ List of Mayors of France (in French)
- ^ Le nom des habitants du 34 - Hérault, habitants.fr
- ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
- ^ Ministry of Culture, Palissy PM34001516 Altar and Tabernacle (in French)
- ^ Ministry of Culture, Palissy PM34000014 Bronze bell (in French)
External links
edit- Aigne on the old IGN website (in French)
- Aigne on the Official website of Pays Haut Languedoc et Vignobles (in French)
- The Cooperative winery (in French)
- Aigne on Géoportail, National Geographic Institute (IGN) website (in French)
- Aigne on the 1750 Cassini Map