Our territory
Communauté de Communes de Vic-Montaner...
History :
VIC-MONTANER, A POPULATING TERRITORY :
Three thousand years of common history :
Three thousand years ago, in Protohistory, the Celtiberians occupied this territory. These transhumant peoples of shepherds and warriors shared it on either sides of a border brook : the “Grand Lées”. To the West side, the “Benearni”, the name of “Bearn” comes from, and to the East side, the “Bigerri”, who gave the name to the country “Bigorre”. So, a first framework in the land and the people is established and, in fact, that will influence the 3 000 following years.
From Roman Times to the French Revolution :
In the Roman Times, these first two territories became : one, the “City of Bigorre”, the other one, the “City of Béarn”, real Roman institutional managing and military frame.
Then, in the Vth century of our era, each one became a bishopric, first Christian establishment.
In the IXth century, the Bigorre became a County and the Béarn became a Viscounty, which lasted until the beginning of the XVIIth century.
At the French Revolution, each one of these two old fiefs was turned into a departement : “Hautes-Pyrénées” for Bigorre, and “Basse-Pyrénées” then “Pyrénées-Atlantiques” for Béarn.
History of the Enclaves, lands of Bigorre hemmed in Béarn :
In fact, only one land sharing occurred in 3 000 year history. In 1 085, during the feudalism, the Count of Bigorre, who owned the Viscounty of Montaner (or Montanérès), allowed its daughter, the Viscountess Talèze, to marry the Viscount of Béarn, Gaston the IVth, the Crusader.
In her dowry, she brought him the Montanérès Region except five communities or parishes, which after that remained as two enclosures (enclaves) of Bigorre into the Béarn land. That is the origin of those two enclaves of the Hautes-Pyrénées into the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. They result, 900 years later, from a feudal political choice. The first enclave is constituted of three communities : Villenave-Près-Béarn, Escaunets and Séron. The second one is Gardères and Luquet. These two enclaves were threatened several times with plain removal, but the people living there do want them to go on, and they do!
THE COMMUNITY COMING STRAIGTH FROM THE LOCAL HISTORY AND THE CUSTOMS OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY :
Though the Montaner country passed to Béarn then Pyrénées-Atlantiques 900 years ago, this administration decision never changed the habits and customs of the Montanérès inhabitants, always naturally attracted by Vic-en-Bigorre, its Saturday market (from the XIIth century), its two annual fairs, its trades, craftsmen and traders, its fields and vineyards. Nowadays, Vic-en-Bigorre also provides with medical and sanitary services, banks, schools and sociocultural services.
Creating the Vic-Montaner Community in this early third millenium, notes and confirms a community of destiny and a human joint solidarity built up along 3 000 years.
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