Aigne

Aigne (French pronunciation: [ɛɲ]; Occitan: Anha) is a commune in the Hérault department in the Occitanie region of southern France.

Not to be confused with the French commune Aigné.
Aigne
Commune
General view of Aigne
General view of Aigne
Coat of arms of Aigne
Coat of arms
Location of Aigne
Aigne is located in France
Aigne
Aigne
Aigne is located in Occitanie
Aigne
Aigne
Coordinates: 43°20′00″N 2°47′52″E
CountryFrance
RegionOccitania
DepartmentHérault
ArrondissementBéziers
CantonSaint-Pons-de-Thomières
IntercommunalityCC du Minervois au Caroux
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Yves Fraisse[1]
Area
1
10.94 km2 (4.22 sq mi)
Population
 (Jan. 2020)[2]
272
 • Density25/km2 (64/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
34006 /34210
Elevation79–273 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.

The inhabitants of the commune are known as Aignois or Aignoises.[3]

Geography

Aigne 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.[4]

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.[4]

History
  • 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
Arms of Aigne
Arms of Aigne
 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
The Town Hall

List of successive mayors of Aigne[5]

FromToName
20012026Yves Fraisse

Population
Historical population
YearPop.±% 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]
The War Memorial

Economy

Aigne 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

Civil heritage
  • 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

The Church contains two items which are registered as historical objects:

Tourism

There are several sites to visit with a restaurant on the town square and craft workshops.

See also

References
  1. "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 2 December 2020.
  2. "Populations légales 2020". The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 29 December 2022.
  3. Inhabitants of Hérault (in French)
  4. Google Maps
  5. List of Mayors of France (in French)
  6. Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
  7. Ministry of Culture, Palissy PM34001516 Altar and Tabernacle (in French)
  8. Ministry of Culture, Palissy PM34000014 Bronze bell (in French)
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