Last modified: 2024-04-20 by olivier touzeau
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![[Flag]](../images/f/fr-47-mg.gif)
Flag of Meilhan-sur-Garonne - Image by Olivier Touzeau, 6 April 2022
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Meilhan-sur-Garonne (Meilhan before 1919) (1,344 inhabitants in 2021; 2,862 ha) is a commune in the Lot-et-Garonne department.
Olivier Touzeau, 6 April 2022
Meilhan is built on a mound of 30 m in elevation overlooking the valley of Garonne. The village emerged in the early 12th century around a church dedicated to St. Cibard (Ermit Eparchus, who allegedly settled in the area in the 5th century, also the namesake of the village of Saint-Cibard, near Saint-Émilion) and a Benedictine priory. During the Hundred Years' War, the English transformed the village into a citadel watching the border of their possessions in Aquitaine. Around 1250, the fortifications included a castle with a keep, brick walls and the church, which was incorporated to the defense system. Impressed by the fortress visible from a distance, the Garonne boatmen, used to say "The one who sees Meilhan is not inside it yet".
Meilhan changed of hands several times during the war. In 1348, the English seized the village, allegedly after having breached the walls in the place still known as the English' Breach. The Black Prince stayed for a while in the citadel in 1355.
The citadel lost its strategic significance after the Hundred Years' War and the Protestants settled in the village. In 1621, Cardinal de Richelieu ordered to destroy the fortifications, the church included, to prevent a seizure and the establishment of a fortified stronghold by the Protestants.
A new church dedicated to St. Michael was built in 1624, to be replaced in the 19th century by anew one, dedicated to St. Cibard, built in Neo-Romanesque style. In the same period, Rear Admiral Baron de Lacrosse, born in Meilhan, let dig in the rock located beneath the Town Hall a cave intended to be his funeral vault. The was interred there but his remains were soon transferred to the village cemetery, leaving the empty cave still known as the admiral's vault. [source: Office de tourisme Val de Garonne]
Ivan Sache, 7 May 2022
The current flag of Meilhan-sur-Garonne, observed in september 2019, is white with logo (photo).
Olivier Touzeau, 6 April 2022
![[Flag]](../images/f/fr-47-m2.gif)
Former flag of Meilhan-sur-Garonne - Image by Olivier Touzeau, 6 April 2022
The former flag, observed in May 2013 (photo)
was white with the coat of arms and the name of the commune below.
The arms are blazoned: Gules a tower Or flanked by three frogs Vert.
Olivier Touzeau, 6 April 2022
The tower recalls the keep of the former citadel of Meilhan. The three frogs might allude to the marshy area located close to the Garonne. [source: Office de tourisme Val de Garonne]
Ivan Sache, 7 May 2022