Archingeay () is a

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

Charente-Maritime Charente-Maritime () is a department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region on the southwestern coast of France. Named after the river Charente, its prefecture is La Rochelle. As of 2019, it had a population of 651,358 with an area of 6,864 square kil ...

department in the

Nouvelle-Aquitaine Nouvelle-Aquitaine (; oc, Nòva Aquitània or ; eu, Akitania Berria; Poitevin-Saintongeais: ''Novéle-Aguiéne'') is the largest administrative region in France, spanning the west and southwest of the mainland. The region was created by ...

region In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as zones, lands or territories, are areas that are broadly divided by physical characteristics ( physical geography), human impact characteristics ( human geography), and the interaction of humanity an ...

of southwestern

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...

. The inhabitants of the commune are known as ''Arcantois'' or ''Arcantoises''.

Geography

Archingeay is located some 32 km south of Surgeres and 30 km east of

Rochefort Rochefort () may refer to: Places France * Rochefort, Charente-Maritime, in the Charente-Maritime department ** Arsenal de Rochefort, a former naval base and dockyard * Rochefort, Savoie in the Savoie department * Rochefort-du-Gard, in the Ga ...

. Access to the commune is by the D114 road which branches off the D739E south of Tonnay-Boutonne and continues south through the commune and village to

Saint-Savinien Saint-Savinien () is a commune in the Charente-Maritime department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in southwestern France.Bords. The D122E1 also goes east from the village to Beaujouet. Apart from the village there are also the hamlets of: *Charnais *Cheniers *Chez Bayeau *Chez Brandeau *Chez Brard *Chez Pepin *Chez Trancard *Coulon *Fontaudet *L'Aiguille *Le Mouton *Le Tricholet *Les Pavageauds *Port L'Aubier The commune is mixed forest and farmland. The

Boutonne The Boutonne () is a long river in the Deux-Sèvres and Charente-Maritime departments in western France. Its source is in the village of Chef-Boutonne (french: head of the Boutonne). It flows generally southwest. It is a right tributary of the ...

river forms much of the north-western border of the commune with a network of irrigation canals covering the western part of the commune. Le Pepin stream rises south of the village and flows west into the Boutonne.Google Maps
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Neighbouring communes and villages

Toponymy

The name may come from the name of the Roman general ''Arcantius''.

History

This commune had an Abbey which has completely disappeared. In the past, Archingeay enjoyed a flourishing period, mainly due to a hot spring near the Chateau of the Valley to the west of Archingeay and renowned for its therapeutic properties (digestive diseases, skin etc.). Among other famous spa guests, the Roman general Arcantius took its waters. Until the attack of phylloxera there was manufacturing of pottery, bricks and tiles, and wine production.

Administration

List of Successive Mayors

Demography

In 2017 the commune had 671 inhabitants.

Distribution of Age Groups

The population of the town is younger than the departmental average. Percentage Distribution of Age Groups in Archingeay and Charente-Maritime Department in 2017 Source: INSEEÉvolution et structure de la population en 2017: Commune d'Archingeay (17017)
/ref> Eglise d'Archingeay

Sites and Monuments

*The Romanesque Church of Saint Martin (12th century) is registered as an historical monument. It has sculptures at the south door and both interior and exterior corbels depicting life at the time. the main

Altar An altar is a table or platform for the presentation of religious offerings, for sacrifices, or for other ritualistic purposes. Altars are found at shrines, temples, churches, and other places of worship. They are used particularly in paga ...

and

Tabernacle According to the Hebrew Bible, the tabernacle ( he, מִשְׁכַּן, mīškān, residence, dwelling place), also known as the Tent of the Congregation ( he, link=no, אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, ’ōhel mō‘ēḏ, also Tent of Meeting, etc.), ...

(18th century) are registered as an historical object.Ministry of Culture, Palissy *A

Ferruginous The adjective ferruginous may mean: * Containing iron, applied to water, oil, and other non-metals * Having rust on the surface * With the rust (color) See also * Ferrous, containing iron (for metals and alloys) or iron(II) cations * Ferric, cont ...

Fountain known by the Romans for healing properties (skin diseases). In the Gallo-Roman period, the Roman general ''Arcantius'' spent time at the spa. *A

Lavoir A lavoir (wash-house) is a public place set aside for the washing of clothes. Communal washing places were common in Europe until industrial washing was introduced, and this process in turn was replaced by domestic washing machines and by laun ...

(Public Laundry) dating from Roman times. *The '
Trésors de Lisette Museum
'' which presents family life in the early 20th century with one of the largest exhibitions of old culinary objects in Europe. It opens during June, July and August from 3 p.m. (15:00) to 7 p.m. (19:00).

Notable People linked to the commune

Saint Malo Saint-Malo (, , ; Gallo: ; ) is a historic French port in Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany, on the English Channel coast. The walled city had a long history of piracy, earning much wealth from local extortion and overseas adventures. In 1944, the Alli ...

, who founded the city of

Saint-Malo Saint-Malo (, , ; Gallo: ; ) is a historic French port in Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany, on the English Channel coast. The walled city had a long history of piracy, earning much wealth from local extortion and overseas adventures. In 1944, the Alli ...

, died at Archingeay. *Arcantius, a Roman general who took the waters of a thermal spring at La Vallée which was renowned for its therapeutic properties *The Montaigne Family who lived in the Chateau of the Valley.