Aignay-le-Duc

Aignay-le-Duc is a commune in the eastern French department of Côte-d'Or.

Geography

The commune of Aignay-le-Duc is located some 30 km south-east of Châtillon-sur-Seine and some 30 km east of Montbard in a direct line. Access to the commune is by Highway D901 which enters on the north-west border, continues to the village and exits the south-east border. There is also Highway D101 linking the village to Étalante to the south-east. Highway D954 links the village through the eastern border to Saint-Broing-les-Moines. There is also Highway D112 which exits the commune in the north-east. There are extensive forests in the eastern part of the commune with about two thirds of the commune farmland. There are no villages other than Aignay-le-Duc.
The Coquille stream flows through the town and forming the eastern border is the Brevon stream. The Coquille flows to the Revinson stream which joins the Seine river. The Brevon flows north and eventually joins the Seine near Brémur-et-Vaurois.

History

Aignay-le-Duc belonged to the territory of Lingons and had a Celtic population. Its name may come from the Celtic: Ann-iacum meaning "The location of the water source" ann- is a well known root name for rivers . The village is close to the source of the Coquille.
A yellow limestone used in the cemetery, dating from the late second century or early third century AD, is inscribed: Aug sac deo Marti Cicolluis et Litavi P. Attius Patercu which means:
"To the august sacred deities, to the god Mars Cicolluis and Litavi, P. Attius Paterculus paid his vow willingly and deservedly".
An inscription was found on a bronze vase near Aignay in 1896 which, according to Chassenay, said: Aug sacr deo Albio et Damonae Sext Mart Cociliani f ex jussu ejus s l m meaning "It is sacred to Augustus, to the gods Albius and Damona, Sextus Martius, son of Cocilianus, in order to fulfill his vow.
During the revolutionary period of the National Convention, the town took the name of Aignay-Côte-d'Or abbreviated to Aignay.

Administration

List of Successive Mayors of Aignay-le-Duc

From	To	Name	Party
1989	2008	Bernard Bonnuit	DVD
2008	2009	Alexandre Misset	SE
2014	2023	Frédéric Bourdenet
2023	2026	Gilbert Changarnier

Population

The inhabitants of the commune are known as Aignacois or Aignacoises in French.

Culture and heritage

Civil heritage

The commune has a large number of Houses that are registered as historical monuments.
The commune also has many other buildings and structures that are registered as historical monuments:

A Lavoir at Rue de la Demoiselle
A Fountain at Rue de la Planchotte
A Barn at Rue de l'Ile
A Bridge at Rue de l'Ile
The Lavoir de la Margelle at Rue de la Margelle
A Railway worker refuge at RN 454
A Lavoir at Rue des Vieilles Halles
A Farmhouse at Grand Bois
The Pierre-Fiche Menhir
A Commemorative Monument at Combe des Carrés
The Covered Market
The Town Hall / School
The Urban Area Fortification

;Other sites of interest

Celtic Tumuli have been found including several burials from different periods, the most recent dating to the 5th century AD.

Religious heritage

The commune has several religious buildings and structures that are registered as historical monuments:

A Wayside Cross at Chemin de Beaunotte
A Wayside Cross at Chevigny Farm
A Wayside Cross at Rue des Granges
The Croix Lannier Wayside Cross north of the village
The Croix Mignard Wayside Cross north-east of the village
A Presbytery. The Presbytery contains several items that are registered as historical objects:
*The Furniture in the Presbytery
*A Processional Staff
*A Statue: Virgin and child
*A Statue: Virgin and child
*A Statue: Saint Eloi
A Wayside Cross at Grand Bois
A Monumental Cross at Saint-Michel
A Tomb
A Cemetery Cross
The Cemetery Portal
The Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The Church contains a very large number of items which are registered as historical objects.

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