- History:
- In the 12th century, initiated by Gérard de Sale, religious hermit, a disciple of Robert of Arbrissel, the Order of Fontevrault settled in 1122, where he takes to Bragayrac following a small community of women dependent on the Moissac abbey. It was not until 1318, presumably under the influence of the nuns, that Bragayrac Saint-Aignan becomes the name of the bishop who saved Orleans. At this time the priory counts up to 60 nuns. Disasters, epidemics, acts of violence, the Hundred Years War (1337-1453) and a fire threatens this small community. In October 1356, Lieutenant Seneschal of Toulouse called the nuns to save the Hospital of St. Louis Castelsarrasin from ruin. In 1372, they say "be Castelsarrasin that pending the construction of a fort around their priory Saint-Aignan". We do not know the date of completion of the "fort", but an act provides a description in the margin: "Everything leads to the end of the wooden bridge by which one enters the fort and priory place, inhabited before the war, nonaines . Fort comprising 25 houses and enclosing a second fort was where the church and convent of the Sisters say ". Beyond, the Abbey was abandoned Grand Selves (1435), the monks Belleperche are helpless. The last Prior, Jean Duret, is abandonment of his office. In 1436 "person in the convent or the village." During this long period, the Order of Fontevrault is a mess. The authority of the abbess is disputed. Renee de Bourbon is seeking the help of Parliament and the intervention of King Louis XII. Finally, July 26, 1517, Renee de Bourbon becomes mistress of Fontevrault and peace returns to the Order.
- Providence puts a prior on the way Saint-Aignan, Gabriel Forest (1514-1539). Two precious documents attest. The first in the archives of Tarn-et-Garonne for "the appointment of a painter of Moissac, Jean Lemesque". The second in the archives of Maine-et-Loire, a scroll of exceptional quality paint "for face and places". The painter, Jean Lemesque undeniably, there is: a safe, a monastery, a cemetery, the church, with the barrier at the crossroads, the "pillars of justice". Further, we see the village and the enclave of Castelferrus "Esclapats" part of Saint-Aignan. Unquestionably, this document is inseparable from the same trial: Forest against Castelferrus and thereby, Jean de Luppe and cons Saint-Aignan. Indeed, people are lawsuit against Forest, accusing him of "not having taken the hand" routine repairs of the church. Gabriel and Jean de Forest Luppé are forced to relinquish "the third part of the fruits that will be converted decimal ... and applied to the repair of the church" (1514-1525). Thus the Church of St. John the Baptist was built and its bell tower dominates even today the village.
- The Religious reinvest, so incredible, the priory in 1619. The prioress has always been, "seigneur" of the place. These ladies are building, do business, manage, farm out the port, the tile, the farms, the mill nave ... Consuls to confront this power in place. Conflicts of interest do not miss and are almost permanent.
- Then came the Revolution. The upheavals, both consuls, residents, religious and parishioners are multiple. Saint-Aignan, become for a while: Aignan-sur-Roche. In September 1793, the municipal body goes to the priory, reading is made of the law concerning the sale of national assets. The priory was sold in 3 lots to Richard Castelsarrasin. Girondins and Montagnards are heated, the home visits are increasing.
- From there, we are tempted to say that the history of this small village is similar to that of other parts of France. Of course, here there was "Garonne"! She has continued to ramble about 3 km that separate it from Castelsarrasin bringing its share of tragic floods. Nevertheless, this turbulent river, commercial shipping has been thriving for several centuries until the arrival of new communications media and especially bridges. They have seen us through more quickly to reach the cities. Habits are changed, the unions are they, too, passed on the other side.
- Geography:
- Saint-Aignan is located on the left bank of the Garonne. Southwest, the village is dominated by the wooded hills of oak harbingers of Lomagne close.
- Tree crops and cereal crops occupy most of the agricultural area. Industrial activities are located nearby Castelsarrasin at Montauban 25 km distant, or Toulouse, which is reached very quickly on the motorway.
