L'Abergement-Clémenciat

L'Abergement-Clémenciat (French pronunciation: [labɛʁʒəmɑ̃ klemɑ̃sja]; Arpitan: L'Abèrgement-Cllèmenciê) is a commune in the department of Ain and the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in eastern Metropolitan France. The commune was established in 1857 by combining the two parishes of Abergement and Clémenciat.

The name L’Abergement‑Clémenciat reflects the historical combination of two distinct localities. The term Abergement originates from a medieval French word referring to a parcel of land granted to settlers under specific obligations, often in the context of land reclamation or clearing for agriculture.^[3] Clémenciat derives from the Latin personal name Clemens, with the suffix -acum indicating a domain or property associated with an individual.^[4] The two settlements existed separately for centuries before their official merger in 1857, which created the modern commune and combined both historical names.^[5]

The area now known as L’Abergement‑Clémenciat has a long history, beginning with the settlement of Clémenciat. The earliest mentions of Clémenciat date back to the 10th century, with charters indicating the existence of a parish or domain under the name Clemenciacense.^[6] Archaeological and heritage assessments of the Vieux Bourg site indicate remnants of early settlement beneath later medieval constructions, suggesting possible Gallo-Roman origins.^[7] By the 12th century, Clémenciat was recognized as a parish with its own local lordship.

During the medieval period, a new fortified site emerged nearby, giving rise to the settlement of Abergement.^[8] By the early 14th century, the local lordship was held by the family of Chabeu, who established a castle and fortified settlement known today as the Vieux Bourg, near the older Clémenciat parish.^[9] Archival documents from 1304 record Jacques de Chabeu as the lord of Abergement in Dombes, owing feudal allegiance to the Church of Lyon.^[10] In 1338, the castle and seigneurie were transferred to the La Baume family, vassals to the lords of Beaujeu, and in 1342 Guillaume de La Baume rendered homage for the castle to the Count of Savoy.^[11] In 1372, a dispute arose over the seigneurie between the châtellenie of Thoissey and the châtellenie of Châtillon.^[12] The fortress itself was built in the motte-and-bailey style, comprising a circular artificial mound with a platform, a surrounding ditch, and an outer platform enclosed by a brick enceinte with towers, dwellings, and a chapel.^[13]

Over subsequent centuries, the fortress declined, and the site was gradually abandoned as the population shifted toward more centralized settlements.^[14] The Vieux Bourg site has been officially classified as a historic monument since 18 November 1994, and additional feudal mounds, including the Poype de la Féole and Poype du Péage, received protective status in 2015.^[15]

In the 19th century, the two historical settlements of Abergement and Clémenciat were merged to form the modern commune of L’Abergement‑Clémenciat in 1857, under the initiative of Antoine-Élisée Munet.^[16] In 1862, land between the two former villages was cleared to establish a new central settlement, Munetville, which was inaugurated in 1868.^[17] The old church of Abergement was eventually restored, while the former church of Clémenciat was sold and converted into a private dwelling.^[18] This reorganization marked the transformation from dispersed medieval parishes and fortified settlements to a modern, unified commune.

L'Abergement-Clémenciat lies on the border between Bresse and Dombes at an altitude of 206 to 272 meters. The commune sits on an area of 1,596 hectares. Other communes near-by include Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne, Illiat, Sulignat, Thoissey, Saint-Étienne-sur-Chalaronne, and Dompierre-sur-Chalaronne. The closest big cities are Lyon, and Geneva.

L’Abergement‑Clémenciat is crossed by several notable watercourses that shape the commune’s hydrographic network. The main river flowing through the southern part of the commune is the Chalaronne.^[19] To the north, the Glenne river originates near the commune and forms part of its boundary with Illiat before joining the Chalaronne downstream at Saint-Étienne-sur-Chalaronne.^[20] On the eastern side, the Bief de Vernisson crosses near the border with Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne and empties into the Chalaronne at Pontpeillon.^[21]

The commune lies within the Dombes hydrographic region, characterized by a dense network of rivers and streams, which historically facilitated agricultural irrigation and influenced local settlement patterns.^[22] Watercourses such as the Chalaronne and Glenne are actively monitored for water quality and flow, with data collected at stations including the “Gué Moulin de Vigne Maillet” site.^[23]

There are 4 communes in Ain with "Abergement" in their name. The other three are Le Petit-Abergement, Le Grand-Abergement, and L'Abergement-de-Varey. It seems to designate agricultural concessions in the 11th-15th centuries.

Since 2008, Daniel Boulon has been the mayor of L'Abergement-Clémenciat. He was re-elected in the 2020 municipal elections.^[1]

• The Vieux Bourg (old town) has been classified as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture since November 18, 1994.^[25] All that remains of the castle is the ruins. The walls of the 14th century enceinte are visible.
• A château, built in 1700, rebuilt in the 19th century
• A church, consecrated in 1868, built under the direction of Louis-Auguste Boileau, an architect of Paris.

• Vieux Bourg.
• Château Munet.
• 19th century church.
• Monument to the dead.

• Communes of the Ain department
• Communes of the Ain department
• Chalaronne
• Dombes
• Arrondissement of Bourg-en-Bresse
• List of rivers of France

• La Dombes and the town of L'Abergement-Clémenciat
• Gazetteer Entry
• LesCommunes.com