Practical
History
A two thousand-year old town, Agen dates back to 400 B.C., the date when the Nitiobriges (or Nitiobroges) settled on the Ermitage Hill.
After the Roman conquest, the inhabitants settled near the river and founded the “civitas Agenensium”. A long period of peace followed and Agen developed and established itself as a crossroads on the Bordeaux-Toulouse route linking the Mediterranean with the Atlantic.
The remains preserved at the Museum of Fine Art attest to the "Aginnum" influence of this period.
In the Middle Ages, Agen became the border town between the territories of the Kings of France and England. It changed hands eleven times leaving behind fine examples of architecture. Aliénor of Aquitaine, Richard the Lion Heart and Simon de Montfort are all figures who shaped our history.
During the 18th century, Agen was both an industrial and intellectual town and acquired economic prosperity and a cultural influence which is visible in the layout of the Gravier and its mansions. Indeed, the Garonne which was navigable at this time was the source of intense water based activity.
By virtue of the layout of the Garonne Lateral Canal, Agen gained an extraordinary bridge, the Canal Bridge of Agen which is supported by 23 arches and is prolonged by four locks…
> To find out more about the history of Agen
Photograph: Extract from the Livre des Coutumes d’Agen (13th Century)
After the Roman conquest, the inhabitants settled near the river and founded the “civitas Agenensium”. A long period of peace followed and Agen developed and established itself as a crossroads on the Bordeaux-Toulouse route linking the Mediterranean with the Atlantic. The remains preserved at the Museum of Fine Art attest to the "Aginnum" influence of this period.
In the Middle Ages, Agen became the border town between the territories of the Kings of France and England. It changed hands eleven times leaving behind fine examples of architecture. Aliénor of Aquitaine, Richard the Lion Heart and Simon de Montfort are all figures who shaped our history.
During the 18th century, Agen was both an industrial and intellectual town and acquired economic prosperity and a cultural influence which is visible in the layout of the Gravier and its mansions. Indeed, the Garonne which was navigable at this time was the source of intense water based activity.
By virtue of the layout of the Garonne Lateral Canal, Agen gained an extraordinary bridge, the Canal Bridge of Agen which is supported by 23 arches and is prolonged by four locks…
> To find out more about the history of Agen
Photograph: Extract from the Livre des Coutumes d’Agen (13th Century)
