Archignat

Archignat (French pronunciation: [aʁʃiɲa]; Occitan: Archinhac) is a commune in the Allier department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of central France.

Archignat
Commune
A general view of Archignat
Location of Archignat
Archignat Show map of France Archignat Show map of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Coordinates: 46°22′22″N 2°25′30″E
Country	France
Region	Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Department	Allier
Arrondissement	Montluçon
Canton	Huriel
Intercommunality	Pays d'Huriel
Government
• Mayor (2020–2026)	Jérôme Coulanjon[1]
Area 1	24.35 km2 (9.40 sq mi)
Population  (2022)[2]	336
• Density	14/km2 (36/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	03005 /03380
Elevation	329–567 m (1,079–1,860 ft) (avg. 359 m or 1,178 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 Archignacois or Archignacoises.^[3]

Geography

Archignat is located some 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) west by north-west of Montluçon and 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) 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.^[4]

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.^[4]

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) (572 metres (1,877 ft)). From here, on a clear day, the towers of Bourges Cathedral to the north and the Chaîne des Puys and the Monts Dore to the south can be seen.

Neighbouring communes and villages

^[4]

History

The name of Archignat originates from a Latin anthroponym Arcanius (according to Albert Dauzat^[5]) or is derived from the oronymic roots cin or Chigne.^[6] 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, 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) 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.

Administration

List of Successive Mayors^[7]

From	To	Name
1945	1977	Edmond Bardot
1977	2008	Jacques Massy
2008	2014	Isabelle Binon
2014	2020	Robert Muglia
2020	Current	Jérôme Coulanjon[8]

Population

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1968	345	—
1975	306	−1.70%
1982	271	−1.72%
1990	275	+0.18%
1999	350	+2.72%
2007	346	−0.14%
2012	351	+0.29%
2017	336	−0.87%
Source: INSEE[9]

Distribution of Age Groups

Percentage Distribution of Age Groups in Archignat and Allier Department in 2017

	Archignat	Archignat	Allier	Allier
Age Range	Men	Women	Men	Women
0 to 14 Years	13.8	23.8	16.1	14.5
15 to 29 Years	19.5	17.6	15.5	12.8
30 to 44 Years	18.4	18.9	16.4	15.6
45 to 59 Years	20.7	21.3	21.1	20.1
60 to 74 Years	17.8	9.7	20.2	20.9
75 to 89 Years	9.2	7.3	9.7	13.5
90 Years+	0.6	1.8	1.0	2.6

Source: INSEE^[9][10]

Sites and Monuments

• The Girauds Stones.
• The Plaids Stones.
• The Cross of Ages (15th century) is classified as a historical monument.^[11]
• 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.^[12]
• The Church of Saint-Pardoux at Frontenat (Middle Ages) is classified as a historical monument.^[13]
• A disused Fountain near the church at Frontenat surmounted by a niche containing a reliquary bust dedicated to Saint Peter.
• The Lapidary 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

• 
  The Girauds Stones.
• 
  The Cross of Ages.
• 
  The Church of Saint-Sulpice at Archignat.
• 
  The Church of Saint-Pardoux at Frontenat.
• 
  The Disused Fountain.
• 
  The Choux Chalet.
• 
  The Bonnet Wayside Cross.
• 
  "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"

See also

• Communes of the Allier department