The six
rye (‘seigle’) roads?
Where does the names Sigoulès come from ?
In her study of the Romanesque churches of Sigoulès, Florence
Vachia quotes the designation of J GANS, "Celtic Toponyms in
Périgord", B.S.H.A.P., T CVIII, Périgueux, 1981, pp. 97 and
10: "of the six roads which led to the village, in Latin"sex
gulae"".
However, in their «Dictionary of Périgourdin Place Names»,
Chantal Tané and Tristan Hordé offer a link between Sigoulès
and the Occitan ‘Segol’ meaning rye (or ‘seigle’), a variant
of which is known as ‘sigol’ which would suppose a plantation
of rye in the area.
Chief Town
of the Canton
Sigoulès became the chief town of the canton by royal decree
in 1825 thus becoming head of 16 communes ranging from
Monbazillac, south of Bergerac to Lamonzie Saint Martin and
Gardonne, west of Bergerac and including the outer limits of
the Eymet region.
After bringing together three municipalities, the district now
has 15 municipalities, nine of which constitute the Coteaux de
Sigoulès Community of Communes since 2004.
With the Economic Activities Park and the hotel business in
constant development, the creation of housing developments, a
school complex, a post office and fixing up the town, Sigoulès
is concentrating all its efforts on the village’s
accommodations and economy.
The recent creation of a community mini day care centre and
imminent building of a private ORPEA retirement home, lets
Sigoulès provide service to people of all ages.
Text translated by Pays du Grand Bergeracois (professional translator).