commune
A commune is an alternative term for an intentional community. Commune or comună or comune or other derivations may also refer to:
Administrative-territorial entities
* Commune (administrative division), a municipality or township
** Communes of ...
Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Nouvelle-Aquitaine (; oc, Nòva Aquitània or ; eu, Akitania Berria; Poitevin-Saintongeais: ''Novéle-Aguiéne'') is the largest administrative region in France, spanning the west and southwest of the mainland. The region was created by ...
region
In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as zones, lands or territories, are areas that are broadly divided by physical characteristics ( physical geography), human impact characteristics ( human geography), and the interaction of humanity an ...
in southwestern
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
.
History
The earliest known name for Rancon is Roncomagus; which comes from the Gallic and means 'market at the rock'. And the piers for the old bridge over the River Gartempe - which still exists - date from the Gallo-Roman era. This bridge is believed to have carried an important Gallo-Roman road.
The village also has a fortified church which featured in the Hundred Years War. As well as a 'Lantern of the dead' dating from the 12th century. The exact purpose of these lanterns is still a mystery.
There is also a Roman-style chapel outside the village, which houses a Gallo-Roman altar dedicated to Hercules. This chapel is open during the summer and was painted by English artists Fred Yates and Geoff Bunn both of whom lived in the area for a time.
Geography
The river
Semme
The Semme () is a river in the Creuse
Creuse (; oc, Cruesa or ) is a department in central France named after the river Creuse. After Lozère, it is the second least populated department in France. It is bordered by Indre and Cher to th ...
forms the commune's northern border.
The river Gartempe forms part of the commune's eastern border, flows westward through the middle of the commune, then forms part of the commune's western border.
Inhabitants are known as ''Ranconniers''.