Migné-Auxances is a commune in Vienne, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, north-west of Poitiers with which it borders.
Its territory of nearly 29 km² is crossed by the course of the Auxance (without "s") dominated by green hillsides. In general, although close to the city of Poitiers, the locality presents discreetly hilly rural landscapes with still 68% of land dedicated to agriculture (fields and meadows) without counting wooded areas.
The town is made up of two entities: Migné, which formed in a bend in the river, and Auxances, which developed along a road axis.
Already occupied during Prehistory, it was after the year 1000 that the territory became urbanized with the establishment of a castle in the form of a keep protecting a ford on the course of the Auxance. Later, the seigneury came into the possession of a chamberlain of King Louis XI (1471) and after the Wars of Religion during which a battle left 200 dead between Catholics and Protestant troops, the de Raze family prevailed and dominated the land until 'to the Revolution.
Long renowned for its quarries (the Lourdines site carved out of the reliefs overlooking the river), the town which has benefited from the growth of the agglomeration (and now has some 6,000 inhabitants) has preserved an important heritage and a green environment. Its offer of cultural and "nature" leisure deserves attention.
A stopover in the locality can begin with the discovery of its heritage, and in this case, with the seigneurial castle. This developed around a square keep built in the 12th century which was subsequently raised. Over the centuries and with changes of owners, buildings have been added at right angles (dwelling) or nearby (outbuildings, mill, etc.). A major renovation and restructuring project was carried out at the turn of the 1960s, during the installation in these places of a community of Carmelite nuns. However, the keep (protected as historical monuments) has been preserved. The whole is surrounded by walls and includes a park.
Next, see the manor of Salvert, a former medieval stronghold whose main building was remodeled in the 17th century. It now also houses a religious community served by a 19th century church. This institution welcomes old people and young apprentices who run a farm.
Another noble building, the manor of Malaguet, which was restored and altered in the 19th century but some of which still date from the Middle Ages. The whole was acquired by the city of Poitiers and houses an association working in the field of the environment.
Finally, a visit to the parish church of the Holy Cross is essential: mentioned at the start of the second millennium, it was decided to rebuild it after 1826, when hundreds of the faithful gathered for the implantation of a cross. in the cemetery distinguished in the sky "a luminous cross", according to the accounts of the time. Following a Latin cross plan, with a bell tower-porch, the building has fairly sober exteriors but its interiors were restored from 1927 under the direction of André Ursault to mark the centenary of the apparition. Jean Gaudin created the two stained-glass windows of the transept, the mosaic Stations of the Cross and the altarpiece of the choir. Marie Baranger designed the frescoes for the choir in 1933, and two decades later, those for the transept. The altar designed by Ursault is also remarkable. The result is an exemplary testimony to the sacred art of the twentieth century.
The town has designed two discovery trails to understand its heritage and its history. They are lined with informative panels and old photographs. Some aspects of the daily life of yesteryear are also approached. The first route is 3 km long and focuses on the castle and the church, the second, 10 km, includes the surrounding countryside and some remarkable sites such as the ancient limestone quarries of Lourdines. All information at the town hall (from Monday to Friday on +33 5 49 51 71 02) or on +33 5 49 41 21 24.
On the cultural level, the Manuel museum inaugurated in 1977 presents on 2000 m² a collection made up by a traveler from trade, Manuel Ribeiro. You will discover old objects (toys, everyday objects, gramophones) as well as advertising plates and vehicles of all kinds (Thai rickshaw, Renault AX from 1912, pedal cars, fire truck from 1924, Sikorsky helicopter, or a Ford T!). Price: 2 to 4 euros. Information on +33 5 49 52 70 05.
Also note the activities offered by the municipal library such as meetings or conferences (join +33 5 49 51 93 00), and the shows and events scheduled throughout the year by the socio-cultural center of La Comberie (contact on +33 5 49 51 76 22) and at the Jean Ferrat room (information on +33 5 49 51 71 02).
On the "nature" leisure side, in addition to the routes dedicated to heritage, walks or hiking trails on the territory will allow you to discover the site of the Lourdines quarries (whose stones were used in particular to build the Orsay station in Paris), the slopes of the river, or the wood of Paché, occupying a small plain to the north, classified and protected because of its ecological richness. Certain loops connect the locality to the center of Poitiers or to other sites such as the famous Futuroscope. Maps and information on +33 5 49 41 21 24.
For athletes, finally, there are accessible football pitches (grassed or synthetic), a hall dedicated to racket sports but also outdoor tennis courts (to be reserved) from the local club on +33 6 19 86 05 83).
It is also possible to join the outings organized by the cycling club (contact on +33 5 49 51 52 09) or to treat yourself to some thrills on the karting track (650 m long), approved by the federation. Information on +33 5 49 51 23 71.
