Aurignac facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aurignac
Commune
Aurignac - from the south
Coat of arms
Aurignac Location in France Show map of France Aurignac Location in Occitanie Show map of Occitanie
Country	France
Region	Occitanie
Department	Haute-Garonne
Arrondissement	Saint-Gaudens
Canton	Cazères
Intercommunality	CC Cœur Coteaux Comminges
Area 1	17.95 km2 (6.93 sq mi)
Population  (2021)	1,242
• Density	69.19/km2 (179.21/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	31028 /31420
Elevation	295–511 m (968–1,677 ft) (avg. 400 m or 1,300 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Aurignac (French pronunciation: [oʁiɲak]) is a small town in southwestern France. It is located in the Haute-Garonne area, not far from the Pyrénées mountains. This town is famous for its important prehistoric discoveries. It was once the main town of a larger area called a canton. Aurignac is also part of an old region known as the Comminges.

Geography of Aurignac

Aurignac is about 60 km (about 37 miles) southwest of a big city called Toulouse. The town sits about 400 meters (1,300 feet) above sea level. It is in a beautiful area with rolling hills. The old part of the town is built on top of a ridge-shaped hill. You can still see parts of a 13th-century castle there.

History of Aurignac

Aurignac is best known for a huge discovery made in 1860. A scientist named Édouard Lartet found very old human remains in the Cave of Aurignac. This discovery helped scientists define the Aurignacian culture. This was a very important time in human prehistory.

The Aurignacian Culture

Early modern humans, sometimes called Cro-Magnon people, first appeared in Africa. They arrived in Europe about 45,000 years ago. During the Aurignacian period, their culture really grew. They made big improvements in using tools. They also started creating amazing art, like cave paintings and small statues. Many people call the Aurignacian culture the first modern humans in Europe.

Early Town Life

We don't know exactly when Aurignac started. But in 1957, people found parts of a Roman house. It even had a well-preserved bath-house! This was about 2.5 km (1.5 miles) from the current town. This shows that people lived in this area during the Gallo-Roman time.

In the year 777, a Benedictine priory (a type of monastery) was built in Aurignac. The first official record of the town is from 1109. It mentions Roger d'Aurignac, who was the Seigneur (ruler) of the town. In 1234, Bernard V, the Count of Comminges, took control of the area. By 1240, he had built a castle, the Château d'Aurignac, on the hill. The village then grew around this castle.

Growth and Challenges

From the 1300s to the 1600s, Aurignac was one of the most important towns in the Comminges region. By 1336, 44 other villages depended on it. It was a busy place for trade, especially for pottery and leather. The town also held regular markets and fairs. In 1574, it even got its own post office with horses and carriages. By 1699, about 2,500 people lived there.

During the French wars of religion (1562–1598), the Comminges region stayed Catholic. Aurignac was safe from attacks by Huguenot (Protestant) forces. However, the town still had to provide soldiers and money for the wars. In 1583, a group of bandits took over the Chateau d'Aurignac. They used it to rob the local people. The town asked for help, and the Senechal of Toulouse drove the bandits out. He also partly destroyed the castle.

Population of Aurignac

The people who live in Aurignac are called Aurignacais.

Exploring the Old Town

The oldest part of Aurignac is built around the remains of the 13th-century castle. You can still see parts of the old church, a well-kept keep (a strong tower), other towers, and old gateways. Some parts of the old walls (ramparts) are even built into houses today. Further down the hill, you'll find the area from the 14th and 15th centuries, which was also once surrounded by walls.

The Church of St-Pierre aux Liens

The main church, St-Pierre aux Liens, dates back to the 13th century. Records show there was a church in Aurignac as early as 1120. The main part of the church is original, but it has been repaired many times. In 1791, a fancy entrance was added. This entrance came from a 16th-century chapel that was taken down during the French Revolution. The church also has a special chapel for the Penitents Bleus. This was a religious group that was very important in the community from the 1600s to the 1800s.

The Aurignac Museum

The Aurignac cave, where important prehistoric discoveries were made.

In 1968, a museum about prehistory opened in Aurignac. It held many ancient tools and objects from the local area and other places. The first museum closed in 2006 because it wasn't big enough. But in 2014, a brand new, bigger museum opened. It has a much larger display of artifacts and information about the Aurignacian period.

Life in Aurignac Today

Aurignac has many shops and local businesses for its size. These include a quarry, farms, and small companies. The town has a police station (gendarmerie), a post office (La Poste), and two schools. These schools serve children from Aurignac and nearby villages.

For fun, Aurignac has a hotel, cafes, a brewery, and several restaurants. There's also a gym and a leisure center with an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, and a football field.

The town hosts several festivals throughout the year. The most popular is a three-day summer festival in August. It includes a fairground, outdoor dining for everyone, and live music in the main square. Aurignac is also on the GR86, a long walking path (called a Grande Randonnée) that goes from Toulouse to Bagnères-de-Luchon.

International Connections

Aurignac is a twin town with Benabarre in Spain. This means the two towns have a special friendship and often share cultural events.