Ners 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
Gard department in southern
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 ...
.
History
Ners is part of a territory inhabited long before the Roman presence in the region.
The village is located along the ancient road 'voie Régordane' going from
Saint-Gilles to
Puy-en-Velay
Le Puy-en-Velay (, literally ''Le Puy in Velay''; oc, Lo Puèi de Velai ) is the prefecture of the Haute-Loire department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of south-central France.
Located near the river Loire, the city is famous for its ...
. Along this road traders, pilgrims, crusaders and knights crossed the river Gardon.
In 1211 Ners is first time reported as a place of residence with the "castrum nercium" - a watchtower of the twelfth century. This tower was probably constructed as an outpost to the village of Vezenobres as well as to protect the few inhabitants of the village. The tower was gradually expanded and in 1480 it retained its castle walls and is to be considered the oldest building in the village.
Etymology
Etymologically the name can be derived from "Nertius", a Gallo-Roman person with great prestige in ancient times. A manuscript from 1247 mentions the name "Nercium" and in 1547 "Ners".
Population
See also
The village of Ners*Communes of the Gard department
References
Communes of Gard
{{Gard-geo-stub