Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Archignat

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Country
  
France

Department
  
Allier

Canton
  
Huriel

Area
  
24.35 km²

Local time
  
Tuesday 1:50 PM

Region
  
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Arrondissement
  
Montluçon

Intercommunality
  
Pays d'Huriel

Population
  
350 (1999)

Archignat

Weather
  
6°C, Wind SW at 31 km/h, 76% Humidity

Archignat (occitan Archinhat) is a French commune in the Allier department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of central France.

Contents

Map of 03380 Archignat, France

The inhabitants of the commune are known as Archignacois or Archignacoises.

Geography

Archignat is located some 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) west by north-west of Montluçon and 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) east of Treignat. Access to the commune is by the D916 road from Montluçon in the east passing through the heart of the commune and the village and continuing to Boussac in the west. There are also the D150 road from the village to Chambérat in the north, the D309 road from the village to the south, the D148 road going west to Saint-Sauvier, and the D150 road going south-west towards Saint-Martinien. The railway from Montluçon passes through the commune with a station just south of the village. Apart from two forests in the north-west and south, the commune is entirely farmland.

La Magieure river passes through the commune from west to east passing south of the village with the Ruisseau du Liat flowing from the south into it forming part of the eastern border of the commune. La Meuzelle river forms part of the northern border of the commune flowing north-east.

The highest point in the Arrondissement of Montluçon is located in the commune at a place called Signal de l'Age (Signal of the Ages) (572 metres (1,877 ft)). From here, on a clear day, the towers of Bourges Cathedral to the north and the Chaîne des Puys and the Monts Dore to the south can be seen.

History

The name of Archignat originates from a Latin anthroponym Arcanius (according to Albert Dauzat) or is derived from the oronymic roots cin or Chigne. The form Archiniaco appeared in 1070 and Archignac in the 13th century.

The common resulted from the merger in 1802 of Archignat and Frontenat. Archignat had 758 inhabitants in 1891.

The Terrier de la Mule, 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from the present town, was the first location of the village: the remains of foundations of a square tower with ditches attest to this assertion but it is not verified.

Administration

List of Successive Mayors

(Not all data is known)

Demography

In 2013 the commune had 347 inhabitants. The evolution of the number of inhabitants is known from the population censuses conducted in the commune since 1793. From the 21st century, a census of communes with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants is held every five years, unlike larger towns that have a sample survey every year.

Population Change (See database)

Sources : Ldh/EHESS/Cassini until 1962, INSEE database from 1968 (population without double counting and municipal population from 2006)

Distribution of Age Groups

Percentage Distribution of Age Groups in Archignat and Allier Department in 2010

Sources:

  • Evolution and Structure of the population of the Commune in 2010, INSEE.
  • Evolution and Structure of the population of the Department in 2010, INSEE.
  • Sites and Monuments

  • The Girauds Stones.
  • The Plaids Stones.
  • The Cross of Ages (15th century) is classified as a historical monument.
  • The Church of Saint-Sulpice from the 13th and 19th century. The church contains a Commemorative Plaque by William of Aaures (15th century) which is registered as an historical object.
  • The Church of Saint-Pardoux at Frontenat (Middle Ages) is classified as a historical monument.
  • A disused Fountain near the church at Frontenat surmounted by a niche containing a reliquary bust dedicated to Saint Peter.
  • The Lapidary testament of William of Aaures dating from 1416 is located in the Archignat church. the Lordship of Aaures was on the territory of the commune.
  • A Mound at Malleret (or Mallereix): the circular mound is about 25m in diameter with a double moat around it.
  • The Choux Chalet (free guided tour by appointment).
  • Sports and Recreation

  • Fitness trail
  • Mini-golf
  • Tennis courts
  • Hiking trails
  • Skating rink
  • Football and Basketball field
  • Bowling Alley
  • Fishing Lake "La Pêcherie"
  • References

    Archignat Wikipedia