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Présentation

The village of LA ROMIEU, situated at the junction of routes to St Jacques de Compostelle is certainly rich in heritage (the collegiate church of St Pierre) but it has an equally impressive history of its' own. If you linger, you may hear whispers of the legend of Angéline and her cats, you will discover the serenity of life which is the wealth of the inhabitants and you will understand, through the dynamism of its numerous festivals, the interest which people have in their village.

Don't hesitate to question them, there is no question left unanswered in LA ROMIEU. Who knows what secrets...?

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History

La Romieu began as a modest priory founded by two Benedictine monks on their return from a pilgrimage to ROME (The name Larroumieu means Pilgrim in the Gascon tongue). The foundation, which dates from about 1062, was within the area of Firmacon and depended upon the Viscount of Lomagne.

The priory became linked to the Abbey of Saint Victor of Marseille on 5th . June 1082.

The inhabitants of the town gathered around the monastic cells built by the pilgrims and the town was defended by thick surrounding walls some 8/10 meters high. There were three gates for acces "MIRAMONT" "ROUEDE" "DE LA FONTAINE". Of these three, only that "of the fountain" appears today in its original form.

The original church of "Saint Jean de Rouède" (the first chaplain of which was Sancires de Calculo) is the oldest remaining monument and today provides accomodation for pilgrims on the road to St Jacques de Compostelle.

A large building, which can be seen beside the road to CONDOM, is the ancient convent of the order of Ste Clare, the "Hospital Saint Jacques".

Finally, east of Miramont, is the collegiale and cloister which were built by Cardinal d'Aux (native of the village and chamberlain to pope CLEMENT V), with their two towers (the church tower and the octagonal tower) together with the palace which was devastated during the religious wars. It was part of the diocese of Agen until 1317 but was then linked to the diocese of CONDOM.

In 1790, during the Revolution, LA ROMIEU was the "County town" of the canton. The Norman Church of Notre Dame in the village square was destroyed, creating the present day layout of the village.

At the beginning of the XXth . century, LA ROMIEU comprised approximately 850 inhabitants on 2700 hectares. All the necessary professions were represented at that time (blacksmith, cooper, doctor, cobbler, carpenter, hairdresser, grocer,...). The population fell during the two wars (1914/1918 and 1939/1945).

LA ROMIEU is today an unpretentious village within the canton of CONDOM but continues to be a very genuine place where history is written on the very walls. Dominated by the Collegiate Church with its' imposing towers, the village is constantly changing and maintains an equilibrium between past and future.

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VILLAGE PERSONALITIES

The monk ALBERT came to this land of the Lord of Firmacon about 1060 and founded the first chuch " Notre Dame" of LA ROMIEU .(05/06/1082)

The LORD ODON DE LOMAGNE, gave permission to the mon,k Albert to found his priory. He exercised rights of juridiction for minor and serious matters and lies in the chancel of the Collegiale of La Romieu. A regiment of Dragoon Guards carried his name right up to the 1914/1918 war.

ARNAUD D'AUX DE LESCOUT, founder of the Collegiale St Pierre, cousin and chamberlain to Pope CLEMENT V. It was President at the trial of Templars and died in 1321 at the palace of the Popes of Avignon. He was buried by Raymond de Gallard, his cousin, and lies in an alcove of the Collegiale.

CLEMENT V,Pope of Avignon, cousin of Cardinal d'Aux de Lescout. Died in 1312, he came to La Romieu to visit his family when he was Archbishop of BORDEAUX.

FORT D'AUX DE LESCOUT, Bishop of POITIERS, godson of Isabelle of France, Queen of England. Belowed by Kings, he built in 1321 the Hospital of Saint Jacques, which became the convent of the order of St Clare. He is buried in the Collegiale.

MATURIN D'AUX DE LESCOUT, Knight of Malta and General of the Galleys had the cloister painted in the XVIè century.

The Marquis of LALLY TOLLENDAL married his daughter to a Marquis d'Aux and, in 1866, restored the Collégiale after the devastation wrougt during the Revolution. He was beheaded after having lost the Indies.

The Visount DE ST GRESE DE MERENS, born in the castel of St Aignan in the commune of LA ROMIEU. He was a Papal Light Infantry soldier and was killed in Paris in 1871. He is buried at LA ROMIEU.

Monseigneur of MOUSSARON. Born at St AIGNAN. He became Curate at LECTOURE in 1910.

Father MAUPOME, parish priest of DÉMU, Was born at La Romieu and died in 1960. He was involved at Odessa and was from the beginning a military priest to the Resistance.

General DE BELLEGARIGUE OF MAISON NEUVE, general during the 1914-1918 war.

M. BOUET (hero of the first world war) et M. SEGUIN, resistance fighters of the second world war, killed while in the underground at Meilhan (07/1944)

M. QUINTILLA, resistance fighter in the 2nd. World War, murdered by the Germans in 1944.

Doctor LUCANTE, mediator before the division of the Reich in World War 2. (21/06/1944)

GEORGES SERRES, world champion track cyclist in 1920.

Madame DUMESTE, founded the Fondation Dumeste and the Little Brothers of the Poors. Died in 2001. .

Monseigneur ADRIEN LARRIBEAU, Bishop of Taï Jon from 1948 to 1963 aned Vicar of SEOUL in 1933. Participated in the second Vatican Synod and at the Korean War. Born 04/02/1883, died in 1974.

GILBERT COURS DARNE, agriculturar ingineer, lived in La Romieu from his bird in 1910 until 2000. Founder of the Madagascan Institute for Agricultural Research and member of the Academy of Madagascar. Creator of the Arboretum Cousiana in the village of La Romieu.

Sister JEANNE BOYER, nun at La Romieu, awarded the National Order of Merit for actions during the war 2.

PATRICK LIGARDES, actor on stage and film, received 4 Molièresawards for his performance in "André le Magnifique" and was the principal actor in the film shot in LA ROMIEU in 1999.

PHILIPPE CANDELON, star singer in Roger Louret's group "les années 80" leading the television broadcast the "années tubes".

Monsieur LEGRAIN, ambassador to Albania, who lives at La Romieu.

Général CAMBOURNAC, Président of the association the "amis de la collégiale", lives at La Romieu.

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Today

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Services

Besides shops and artisans in the village, you may find at LA ROMIEU :

A Post Office (05.62.28.34.36) open from 9h00 to12h00 and 14h to17h00 from Monday to Friday and from 9h00 to 12h00 on Saturday.

The Town Hall (05.62.28.15.72) is open from 9h00 to 12h30 Monday to Friday. e.mail : mairie.laromieu@wanadoo.fr

A domestic assistant servive (05.62.28.15.72)

A bus service on request on market days - CONDOM on Wednesdays, LECTPURE on Fridays and FLEURANCE on Tuesday - (05.62.28.15.72)

The Primary School of La Romieu (05.62.28.15.72). School bus service, a childminding service before and after school, lunch time canteen.

Permanence (Groupama) open from 9h00 to 12h00 Tuesday to Friday.

Two qualified nursery school assistants (05.62.28.15.72)

13 logements communaux (05.62.28.15.72)

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