commune
A commune is an alternative term for an intentional community. Commune or comună or comune or other derivations may also refer to:
Administrative-territorial entities
* Commune (administrative division), a municipality or township
** Communes of ...
in the
Allier
Allier ( , , ; oc, Alèir) is a department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region that borders Cher to the west, Nièvre to the north, Saône-et-Loire and Loire to the east, Puy-de-Dôme to the south, and Creuse to the south-west. Named afte ...
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (ARA; ; frp, Ôvèrgne-Rôno-Ârpes; oc, Auvèrnhe Ròse Aups; it, Alvernia-Rodano-Alpi) is a region in southeast-central France created by the 2014 territorial reform of French regions; it resulted from the merger of Au ...
region of central
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
.
The inhabitants of the commune are known as ''Archignacois'' or ''Archignacoises''.
Geography
Archignat is located some west by north-west of
Montluçon
Montluçon (; oc, Montleçon ) is a commune in central France on the river Cher. It is the largest commune in the Allier department, although the department's prefecture is located in the smaller town of Moulins. Its inhabitants are known as ...
and 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.Google Maps /ref>
''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) (). From here, on a clear day, the towers of Bourges Cathedral to the north and the
Chaîne des Puys
The Chaîne des Puys () is a north-south oriented chain of cinder cones, lava domes, and maars in the Massif Central of France. The chain is about 40 km (25 mi) long, and the identified volcanic features, which constitute a volcanic ...
and the ''Monts Dore'' to the south can be seen.
Neighbouring communes and villages
History
The name of Archignat originates from a Latin anthroponym ''Arcanius'' (according to
Albert Dauzat
Albert Dauzat (; 4 July 1877 – 31 October 1955) was a French linguist specializing in toponymy and onomastics.
Dauzat, a student of Jules Gilliéron, was a director of studies at the École des hautes études.
Works
* ''L'argot des poilus; di ...
) 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'', 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.
*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
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...
) is classified as a historical monument.Ministry of Culture, Mérimée
*A disused Fountain near the church at Frontenat surmounted by a niche containing a reliquary bust dedicated to Saint Peter.
*The
Lapidary
Lapidary (from the Latin ) is the practice of shaping stone, minerals, or gemstones into decorative items such as cabochons, engraved gems (including cameos), and faceted designs. A person who practices lapidary is known as a lapidarist. A la ...
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).
Picture Gallery
pierre.jpg, The Girauds Stones.
croixages.jpg, The Cross of Ages.
egliarchi2.jpg, The Church of Saint-Sulpice at Archignat.
eglisefront.jpg, The Church of Saint-Pardoux at Frontenat.
fontstpierre.jpg, The Disused Fountain.
Chachoux.jpg, The Choux Chalet.
croix2.jpg, The Bonnet Wayside Cross.
Arneige.jpg, "La Pêcherie" artificial lake under snow.
Sports and Recreation
*Fitness trail
*Mini-golf
*Tennis courts
*Hiking trails
*Skating rink
*Football and Basketball field
*Bowling Alley
*Fishing Lake "La Pêcherie"