Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of this small Commingese village and explore the key events that have shaped it. This 1.2 km walk, punctuated by captivating anecdotes, will lead you to the discovery of the built and cultural heritage, associating the different historical periods that forged the identity of this old Commingeois village, once the main city of one of the enclaves of Nebouzan.
Religious History:
Of the former Benedictine priory dependent on the abbey of Pessan in the Gers, only the church Notre-Dame (term: Nativity of the Virgin) remains today. This church, entrusted to the monks from the eleventh century, is an imposing building of primitive Romanesque style, with a flat chevet where there is a twin window and an authentic oculus of the eleventh century. Classified ISMH since 1926, it is surmounted by a magnificent octagonal bell tower of Toulouse style of the fourteenth century. Although the church and priory declined from 1473 with the departure of the monks, the interior of the church was completely refurbished from 1850 during various missions preached by the Capuchin Fathers. It includes a gallery, a Séglan stone chair, openings and stained glass windows, as well as the renovated choir.
Medieval history:
The history of the medieval castle and the d'Aulon family is closely linked to that of the priory and the Notre-Dame church. This castle, more a mansion than a castle, housed the Templars in the 13th century, playing an important role in the disputes between the kingdom of France and the kingdom of Aragon for the Val d'Aran. From 1312, the castle is abandoned and a branch of d'Aulon joins the family of Armagnacs, nearby. It was from this family branch that Jehan d'Aulon, the faithful servant of Charles VII and the devoted steward of Joan of Arc, was born until his death at the stake. Today, only the remains of the keep remain, bearing a crest in tribute to Jehan d'Aulon. The next period was turbulent for the village, with changes of allegiance about every 50 years, depending on alliances and marriages. The village was even the main town of one of the five enclaves of Nebouzan in the 13th century, and therefore belonged to the family of Foix-Béarn, including Gaston Phoebus.
Oil epic in the Comminges with the exploitation of Saint-Marcet gas :
On the eve of the Second World War, thanks to the brilliant intuition of geologists and a strong political will, on July 14, 1939, the first French gas deposit was discovered in the territories of Latoue, Saint-Marcet and Aulon. Despite the outbreak of war, the decision was made to exploit this gas field, which will produce until the late 1990s. This discovery profoundly changed the lives of the people of this rural area. Peasants became oil tankers, Alsatians came to form the teams and many young people fleeing the STO and Spanish Republicans fleeing Francoism provided labor. The company «La RAP» (Régie Autonome des Pétroles) was created to exploit and manage this discovery. A small village of oil tankers came out of the ground at the place called Pinat, and a small refinery was built for the treatment of the gas in Peyrouzet (today industrial wasteland). The development of this gas field gave birth to many companies that then established themselves worldwide. RAP, after moving to Boussens, became ELF, then ELF-Aquitaine, later absorbed by TOTAL in the 2000s. From the RAP, the SNPA (Pétroles d'Aquitaine) was created, allowing the exploitation of the Lacq gas field. Boussens has become the logistical basis for the development of Saharan oil. During the visit, do not fail to pay tribute to the 4 RAP resistance fighters killed by the Germans during the «Mengué clash» on June 8, 1944, by passing in front of a commemorative stele in Mengué. Let us also remember Pierre Angot, the first director of the RAP, who died in deportation to Buchenwald for refusing to collaborate with the enemy.
In the center of the village you will discover a 16th century fountain associated with a 19th century wash houseIn 1842, a local sculptor, a fervent admirer of Napoleon, decorated the fountain. The carved painting illustrates the popular imagery of the time and testifies to the nostalgia of the sculptor, representing the Emperor Napoleon guarding alongside 10 exotic animals. An entablature surmounts the fountain, in which is nestled the bust of a «beautiful Lady» like a Marianne.
You will also find some facades of old houses of notables dating from the nineteenth century, very interesting to observe. Two of the three old 17th century mills have been restored and are located along the River Noue.
While traveling the hills, do not miss the district of Lucet and Layrisse, where traces of Roman presence can be seen, and perhaps an ancient feudal mound. In the past, a church dedicated to Saint Lizier stood in this region, but today it has disappeared, leaving few historical traces.
4 km from Aulon, is the small hamlet of Mengué, with its church and its «miraculous» source of Saint Anthony the Hermit. Saint Anthony the Hermit is still venerated every year on January 17, after several centuries of devotion.
These discoveries will allow you to explore the many facets of this village and immerse yourself in its rich historical past.