town hall of Romagne

The town hall of Romagne serves as the seat of local government for the small commune of Romagne, in the Vienne department of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, roughly 41 km south of Poitiers. The commune's postal code is 86700, it covers just under 40.8 km², and it's home to a little over 800 residents, known locally as Romagnons and Romagnonnes. Romagne belongs to the Communauté de communes du Civraisien en Poitou and offers a good example of a quiet rural commune in the Poitou countryside.

Where is Romagne and how do you get there?

Romagne sits in the southern part of the Vienne department, in a peaceful farming area close to the border with the Charente department. The drive from Poitiers takes under an hour, passing through the fields and small woodlands typical of Poitou. The town hall building itself stands at the heart of the village and handles the commune's administrative affairs.

What is the history behind Romagne?

Romagne's recorded history stretches back at least to the 17th century. In 1625, residents of the nearby hamlets of Vublon, Salvantier, and Puycrachoux were required to pursue escaped prisoners from the barony of Couhé all the way to the Vienne river. This group became known as the "gardes nobles de la commune de Romagne" — the noble guards of the commune. The French Revolution was met with relative enthusiasm in Romagne: between 1791 and 1793, 24 volunteers from the commune enlisted to defend the frontiers of the new republic. The local priest, Father Leroy, and his curate both swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, a choice that carried real risk for clergy at the time.

Another notable chapter unfolded during the Second World War. Early in the conflict, the École normale de filles — a women's teacher-training college — relocated from Metz to the château at Romagne. After France's defeat in 1940, and despite pressure from the German occupying authorities, the students and their teachers refused to return to annexed Lorraine, remaining at the château until 1945. That episode shows how a small rural commune came to shelter an institution displaced by wartime occupation.

What can visitors see in and around Romagne?

With just over 800 inhabitants, the commune has kept the character of a typical Poitou village, centred on its town hall, parish church, and the château that played its part during the war. The surrounding countryside is well suited to gentle walks and cycling among the fields and woods of southern Vienne. Travellers interested in the area's history can also head to nearby Civray, seat of the community of communes that Romagne belongs to, which offers more attractions and visitor services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Romagne located? Romagne is a commune in the Vienne department, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, about 41 km south of Poitiers, near the border with the Charente department.

How many people live in Romagne? The commune has a population of just over 800, spread across an area of just under 40.8 km².

What happened at Romagne's château during the Second World War? Between 1940 and 1945 it housed a women's teacher-training college evacuated from Metz, whose students refused to return to occupied Lorraine.

Which community of communes does Romagne belong to? Romagne is part of the Communauté de communes du Civraisien en Poitou, centred on the town of Civray.