Lignac
Encyclopedia
Lignac is a commune
in the department of Indre
, central France
.
36). Located in the southwest corner of the department, the commune covers an area of over 6500 hectares (25.1 sq mi). It borders the ancient regions of Berry, Poitou and La Marche in the foothills of the Massif Central
. The village lies within the parc naturel régional de la Brenne
, a region noted for its lakes and wildlife. The river Anglin
forms part of the commune's eastern border.
a wealthy landowner named Linius apparently lived in the area; there are source references to Liniacum and Villa Linii. Within the commune lies the hamlet of Château Guillaume, which was a commune in its own right up until 1829. The château was at its height between 1087 and 1112 AD when it was the home of William IX, Duke of Aquitaine. It was said to be the home of Eleanor of Aquitaine
, consort of King Louis VII of France
and King Henry II of England
.
The Château of Lignac was constructed during the 15th century in the centre of the village. All that remains today are the feet of two pillars to the old gateway. The Church of St Christophe dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries; there is a mention of the church in department archives from 1630.
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
in the department of Indre
Indre
Indre is a department in the center of France named after the river Indre. The inhabitants of the department are called Indriens.-History:Indre is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
, central France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Location
Lignac is a village in the department of L'Indre (INSEE codeINSEE code
The INSEE code is a numerical indexing code used by the French National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies to identify various entities, including communes, départements...
36). Located in the southwest corner of the department, the commune covers an area of over 6500 hectares (25.1 sq mi). It borders the ancient regions of Berry, Poitou and La Marche in the foothills of the Massif Central
Massif Central
The Massif Central is an elevated region in south-central France, consisting of mountains and plateaux....
. The village lies within the parc naturel régional de la Brenne
Parc naturel régional de la Brenne
The Parc naturel régional de la Brenne is an large Parc naturel régional located in the Indre of France. It was founded December 22, 1982. Of old, La Brenne was a region in the old French provinces of Berry and Touraine, west of Châteauroux and east of Tournon-Saint-Martin.The park is cut in two...
, a region noted for its lakes and wildlife. The river Anglin
Anglin
The Anglin is a long river in the Creuse, Indre and Vienne départements in central France. Its source is near Azerables. It flows generally northwest...
forms part of the commune's eastern border.
History
The name Lignac is probably of Roman origin. During the Roman occupationGallo-Roman culture
The term Gallo-Roman describes the Romanized culture of Gaul under the rule of the Roman Empire. This was characterized by the Gaulish adoption or adaptation of Roman mores and way of life in a uniquely Gaulish context...
a wealthy landowner named Linius apparently lived in the area; there are source references to Liniacum and Villa Linii. Within the commune lies the hamlet of Château Guillaume, which was a commune in its own right up until 1829. The château was at its height between 1087 and 1112 AD when it was the home of William IX, Duke of Aquitaine. It was said to be the home of Eleanor of Aquitaine
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Eleanor of Aquitaine was one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in Western Europe during the High Middle Ages. As well as being Duchess of Aquitaine in her own right, she was queen consort of France and of England...
, consort of King Louis VII of France
Louis VII of France
Louis VII was King of France, the son and successor of Louis VI . He ruled from 1137 until his death. He was a member of the House of Capet. His reign was dominated by feudal struggles , and saw the beginning of the long rivalry between France and England...
and King Henry II of England
Henry II of England
Henry II ruled as King of England , Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. Henry, the great-grandson of William the Conqueror, was the...
.
The Château of Lignac was constructed during the 15th century in the centre of the village. All that remains today are the feet of two pillars to the old gateway. The Church of St Christophe dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries; there is a mention of the church in department archives from 1630.
Events
- Fêtes Patronal: Last weekend in July; includes repas champetre, brocante, bicycle race, fireworks, fun fair and parade
- Fêtes de Château Guillaume: First Sunday in October
- Christmas market at Château Guillaume on 25 November with local produce, crafts, a special Mass and meal
- Bastille DayBastille DayBastille Day is the name given in English-speaking countries to the French National Day, which is celebrated on 14 July of each year. In France, it is formally called La Fête Nationale and commonly le quatorze juillet...
lamb barbecue at Lignac "Fanny" pétanquePétanquePétanque is a form of boules where the goal is, while standing inside a starting circle with both feet on the ground, to throw hollow metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball called a cochonnet or jack. It is also sometimes called a bouchon or le petit...
club
Organizations
- The "Fanny" pétanque club meets most Saturdays in the centre of the village
- The U.S. Lignac football club plays in the departmental 4th divisionFrench football league systemThe French football league system is a series of interconnected leagues for club football in France. At the top two levels of the system is the Ligue de Football Professionnel, which consists of two professional national divisions, Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. Below that are a number of leagues run by the...
- Familles Rurales: Activities such as gymnastics, painting, calligraphy and children's activities most Wednesdays
- Blood donors
- Lignac Hunt (Société de Chasse)
- Fishing
- Tennis
Population
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1851 | 1853 |
| 1856 | 1926 |
| 1861 | 2007 |
| 1866 | 2093 |
| 1872 | 2124 |
| 1876 | 2071 |
| 1886 | 2138 |
| 1891 | 2076 |
| 1896 | 2105 |
| 1901 | 2015 |
| 1906 | 1919 |
| 1911 | 1836 |
| 1921 | 1530 |
| 1926 | 1508 |
| 1931 | 1405 |
| 1936 | 1336 |
| 1946 | 1269 |
| 1954 | 1126 |
| 1962 | 927 |
| 1968 | 992 |
| 1975 | 809 |
| 1982 | 706 |
| 1990 | 614 |
| 1999 | 572 |
| 2006 | 572 |