Ayen

Ayen Municipality is located 19 kilometers northwest of Brive-la-Gaillarde . To the east of it lies the commune of Saint-Cyprien , to the south - the commune of Perpezac-le-Blanc , to the west - Saint-Robert . The center of the Limousin region, Limoges , is 67 kilometers north of Iyen. Through the territory of the commune flows the river Elle.

Ayan was first written in 1025. The name of the place is of Celtic origin and in Gallic language is translated as “rock”. Around 850, the Viscount Limoges erects a castle ( mot ) on Iyen Hill. At that time and later, Eyan was in possession of the name Bernard, which gave the current name to the place of approx. 1000 years. The parish of Iyen belonged to the Monastery of Solignac in Haute-Vienne.

The parish church of Saint-Madeleine of the 14th century contains within its walls special niches ( Enfeus ), where burials of high-ranking persons were located. This church and the Enfeus preserved in it were recognized in 1900 as a monument of historical significance ( Monuments historiques ), as well as the remains of a castle on a hill (since 1990). There is also a local history museum in Ajen.

The basis of the economy is the service of tourists, as Iyen is a natural ("green") resort. There are also developed viticulture and winemaking, fruit cultivation, breeding of small livestock.