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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox French commune
|name                   = Assier
|commune status         = [[Communes of France|Commune]]
|image                  = Assier - Mairie.JPG
|caption                = Assier Town Hall
|image coat of arms     = Blason de la ville de Assier (Lot).svg
|arrondissement         = Figeac
|canton                 = Lacapelle-Marival
|INSEE                  = 46009
|postal code            = 46320
|mayor                  = Maxime Hug<ref>{{cite web|title=Répertoire national des élus: les maires|url=https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/2876a346-d50c-4911-934e-19ee07b0e503|website=data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises|date=2 December 2020|language=fr}}</ref>
|term                   = 2020&ndash;2026
|intercommunality       = Grand-Figeac
|coordinates            = {{coord|44.6761|1.8775|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|elevation m            = 342
|elevation min m        = 294
|elevation max m        = 420
|area km2               = 16.49
|population             = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}}
|population date        = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}}
|population footnotes   = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}}
}}

'''Assier''' ({{IPA|fr|asje}}; {{langx|oc|Assièr}}) is a [[Commune in France|commune]] in the [[Lot (department)|Lot]] [[Departments of France|department]] in the [[Occitania (administrative region)|Occitanie]] region of south-western [[France]].

==Geography==

===Location and access===
Assier is located some 12&nbsp;km north-west of [[Figeac]] and some 18&nbsp;km south-east of [[Gramat]]. The village is in the centre of the commune at the intersection of two highways: the D11 from [[Saint-Simon, Lot|Saint-Simon]] in the north-west which continues to [[Reyrevignes]] in the south-east and the D653 from [[Livernon]] in the south-west which continues to join the D840 north-east of the commune.<ref name=Google>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Assier/@44.6677706,1.8774923,6485m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x12ad1f76650b0397:0x406f69c2f3fd0b0?hl=en Google Maps]</ref>

The [[Brive-la-Gaillarde]] to [[Rodez]] railway passes through the commune from north-west to south-east with [[Assier station]] just west of the village.

===Relief===
The highest parts of the commune are to the north-east (about 400 metres above sea level). The Limargue landscape provides grazing for cattle. A small stream flows with a slight slope parallel to the D653 in a wide valley flooded during heavy rain. After two ponds and an old mill, its water is lost near the centre of the village (altitude 350 metres).

In the south the rocky terrain forms a slightly undulating limestone plateau (320–330 metres above sea level) pierced by a few [[sinkhole]]s around ten metres deep. This plateau is covered with short grass (dry grasslands) which supports flocks of sheep. There are also forests of contorted [[Quercus pubescens|downy oaks]] that are used for firewood.<ref name="IGN">[[IGN]] Map 2237 West-Lacapelle-Marival, 1/25000 {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

===Geology===
Assier is located at the end of an [[Early Jurassic]] formation called Limargue at the edge of the [[Causses]] [[limestone]].<ref name="Hydrolot">Hydro-geology of Lot department and of the Causses of Quercy - Map at 1/100000 scale with topographic background from [[IGN]] – made by J.C. Soulé, J. Astruc, and R. Vernet - Editions BRGM {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

In the south-east the ''Causse de Gramat'' is composed of [[Karst]]ified limestone from the [[Middle Jurassic|Middle]] and [[Late Jurassic]].

The oldest [[Early Jurassic]] terrain is in the ''Ruisseau d'Assier'' to the north-west:
*on the level in a tarn of black [[marl]] and layers of impervious [[schist]] from the [[Toarcian]] period;
*permeable calcareous [[sandstone]] from the [[Pliensbachian]] period in which there are emergences of ''Routabous'' and ''Tour de Maroc'' to the north at ''Vialans'';
*from a place called ''Le Parc'' (in [[Le Bourg]] commune), a thin strip of less than 50 metres of semi-permeable marls, [[Argillites]] (of mixed clay and quartz), and limestones from the middle and upper [[Early Jurassic]].

The valley floor consists of [[alluvium]] brought down by modern streams.

===Hydro-geology===
Assier is on the edge of the ''Causse de Gramat''. The waters from the Limargue to the north-east come across impermeable marl from the Early Jurassic the descend below the permeable limestone from the Middle and Late Jurassic. The limit of the [[Drainage basin]] is located to the north of Assier, water flows towards the south towards the [[Célé]]:<ref name="Hydrolot"/> this is the system called "Gramat-Sud" which drains 330 square kilometres.<ref>Jean-Noël Salomon, ''The Causse de Gramat and its surroundings: the assets of Karstic country'', Karstologia, No. 35, 2000, {{ISSN|0751-7688}}  {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

To the north-west, north of Vialans, there are the emergences of ''Routabous'' and ''Tour de Maroc'' of calcareous sandstone from the [[Pliensbachian]] period.

[[File:Digue ruisseau assier.jpg|thumb|The dam and its retaining wall next to the Chateau of Assier]]

The small streams or ''Biales'' sink into the limestone through karstic openings. From north-west to south-east, these are:.<ref name="Taisne">Jean Taisne, ''Contribution to a speleological inventory for Lot department'', Comité Départemental de Spéléologie du Lot (CDS46), [[Labastide-Murat]], March 2006, 363 pages, p. 155, plan 60, {{ISBN|2-9509260-1-0}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref><ref>''The Causse de Gramat East'', Hervé Richen-Sicral, Spéléoc - Revue des spéléologues du Grand Sud-Ouest, {{ISSN|0241-4104}}, No. 70, 4th trimester 1994 {{in lang|fr}}</ref><ref name="Carayol">Gilbert Carayol, ''Assier, A Village community'', Quercy Recherche, March 2003, Les hauts lieux du Quercy collection, 154 pages, {{ISBN|2-902422-62-8}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

*The ''Ruisseau de l'Homme'' has its source near the Chapel of Saint-Médard (in the [[Issepts]] commune). It flows towards the two ''Pertes d'Assier'' sinkholes: the first is at the foot of the east wall of the chateau in the ruins of an old mill that was still functioning at the beginning of the 20th century, 75 metres south of the pond formed by the ''Ruisseau d'Assier'' at the entry to the town. The second sinkhole is 20 metres east of the pond. These waters flow in the stream that passes near the ponds along the D653 road towards [[Lacapelle-Marival]]. The [[Karst spring|re-emergences]] are at [[Saint-Sulpice, Lot|Saint-Sulpice]] in the [[Célé]] valley 13.5&nbsp;km away. The time of passage of the water is 12 days.<ref>''Tracing work on the sinkholes of Assier'', André Tarrisse, DDAF Lot, 1976 {{in lang|fr}}</ref>
*The ''Perte de l'Abois'': a temporary sinkhole consisting of an entrance three metres high located in a small valley that crosses the D11 between Assier and [[Reyrevignes]].
*The ''Perte du Cayre'' and the ''Grotte du Pech d'Amont'': these cavities are the head of the hydro-geological system that drains water toward the re-emergence of the Diège at [[Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie]], nine kilometres away. The transit time for the water is 40 hours.<ref>''Tracing of the Grotte du Pech d'Amont done in 1984'', André Tarrisse, Direction départementale de l'Agriculture et de la Forêt (DDAF) Lot. {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

Previously, other cavities at a higher altitude would have been of old sinkholes or were connected to the existing water systems: the ''Grotte du Cirque'' and the ''Grotte du Fennet''.<ref>The ''Grotte de Fennet'' cited in ''Les Abîmes'', Delagrave, [[Édouard-Alfred Martel]], 1894, relié, Paris, Chapter XVIII - "Les Grottes et les sources", p. 342, {{ISBN|2734805332}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

===[[Potholing]]===
[[File:La grotte du Cirque 1.JPG|thumb|The ''Grotte du Cirque''.]]

In addition to the sinkholes in the Limargue-Causse contact zone, many caves and [[Pit cave]]s open up on limestone terrain. The best known are:<ref name="Taisne"/>
*The '''Grotte du Cirque'''. This hole is adorned with beautiful [[concretion]]s. This has been a classified site since 29 April 1997 and monitoring arrangements for visits have been defined since 27 January 2009;<ref>[http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000020219034 Order of 27 January 2009], Legifrance website, consulted on 28 January 2009 {{in lang|fr}}</ref>
*The '''Grotte du Fennet'''. This hole was mentioned in 1894 by [[Édouard-Alfred Martel]].<ref name="Martel_Abimes">''Les Abîmes'', Delagrave, Édouard-Alfred Martel, 1894, relié, Paris, Chapter XVIII - Le Causse de Gramat — Les Grottes et les sources, p. 342-343, [https://archive.today/20130423052556/http://jubil.upmc.fr/sdx/pl/toc.xsp?id=GH_000489_001&fmt=upmc&idtoc=GH_000489_001-pleadetoc&base=fa Read online], consulted on 3 November 2010, {{ISBN|2734805332}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref> It opens on the side of a sinkhole through a low passage and a corridor 60 metres long leading to a shaft 15 metres deep then a large gallery 45 metres long, 20 m wide and 30 m high. A narrow passage and a shaft lead to a low point of about 45 metres underground.

{{Geographic location
| title = '''Neighbouring communes and villages'''<ref name=Google/>
|width=auto
|Centre    = Assier
|North     = [[Sonac]]
|Northeast = [[Le Bourg]]
|East      = [[Issepts]]
|Southeast = [[Reyrevignes]]
|South     = 
|Southwest = [[Livernon]]
|West      = [[Durbans]]
|Northwest = [[Saint-Simon, Lot|Saint-Simon]]
}}

==Toponymy==
The name ''Assier'' could be related to the name of a watercourse according to Ernest Nègre. According to others ''Assier'' has a Germanic origin after a person called ''Anshari''. This name decomposes to: ''ans'', a pagan deity, and ''hari'' meaning "army".<ref name="Bazalgues">Gaston Bazalgues, ''On the discovery of place names of Quercy - Toponymy of Lot'', Éditions de la Bouriane et du Quercy, Gourdon, June 2002, 127 pages, p. 105, {{ISBN|2-910540-16-2}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

==History==

===Prehistory===
The territory of Assier has been inhabited from the earliest times. Three [[dolmen]]s and [[tumuli]] are visible on the limestone of the plateau to the east of the village.<ref name="IGN"/>

The dolmens around Assier were made from thick strata of limestone.<ref name="Dolmens">Monique Mahenc, ''Megalithic promenade in Quercy - Ancient beliefs and energy of the land'', Éditions Nestor, Labège, 2002, 350 pages, p. 163-168, {{ISBN|2-9518674-0-9}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref> They are located on the ''Causse de Gramat''<ref name="IGN"/> and were emptied of their contents in the past.

*The '''[[Dolmen]] in the ''Bois des Bœufs'''''[[File:Logo monument historique - rouge sans texte.svg|18px]] is covered with a slab 3.7 metres long, 2.6 m wide and 0.3 m thick with an approximate mass of about 8 tonnes.<ref>Mass (kg) = volume (m<sup>3</sup>) * volumetric mass of limestone (kg/m<sup>3</sup>) = (3.7*2.6*0.3)*2750 = 7936.5 kg</ref> This capstone rests on two [[Megalithic architectural elements#Orthostat|orthostats]] with a length of about 3 m and 0.6 m high. It has been a historical monument since 1889;<ref name=Dolmen>Ministry of Culture, Mérimée {{Mérimée|PA00094968|PA00094968 Dolmen}} {{in lang|fr}}{{Camera}}</ref>
*At an altitude 200 metres higher than the preceding dolmen, the '''Dolmen of Garivals''' has a slab 2.3 metres long, 2m wide, and 0.3m thick resting on two orthostats of unequal length: 2.9 and 2.3 metres. This dolmen includes a [[Dry stone]] wall;
*The '''Dolmen of the ''Table de Roux''''' has a slab 3.3 metres long, 2.5 m wide, and 0.3 m thick placed on two orthostats 4 metres long.

Four other dolmens and a [[menhir]] were also present north-west of the village in the hamlet of Mons at a place called ''Le champ de Belair''.<ref name="Dolmens"/> At least two of these dolmens are still visible. The menhir was removed in the past but was returned flat near its original location by the landowner.

<gallery>
File:Dolmen bois boeufs assier.jpg|The Dolmen in the ''Bois des bœufs''
File:Dolmen garivals assier.jpg|The Dolmen of Garivals
File:Dolmen table roux assier.jpg|The ''Table de Roux''
</gallery>

===Middle Ages===

===The Fortified Town===
In the [[Middle Ages]] Assier had the appearance of a fortified camp: a village surrounded by a defensive wall. Of the first feudal castle only the ''Tour de Sal'' (Sal Tower) remains. Outside the walls there were extended suburbs called ''barry'': ''barry de Mons'', ''barry des Sal, barry de las botas, barry des leygue'', and ''barry del Torria''. Assier had the Abbot of [[Figeac]] as their Lord and it was attached to the [[Order of St. John of Jerusalem]] though some hamlets such as Vialan depended on the Hospital of [[Issendolus]].<ref name="Carayol"/>

From the 13th century the Assier community had the right to elect consuls. Every year on the first Sunday of September, all heads of household paid tax to one or more elected consuls.<ref name="Carayol"/>

===The Commandery of Assier===
Around 1280, the Knights of the [[Order of St. John of Jerusalem]] founded a [[Commandry (feudalism)|commandery]]. It was a [[Gift (law)|donation]] by Barasc who owned part of the lordship of Assier. It included: a [[fortified house]], a church dedicated to St. Peter, a hospital on the site of the Chateau of ''Galiot de Genouillace'', a [[Leprosy|leprosarium]] at a place called Malaudie on the road to [[Reyrevignes]].<ref name="Juillet">Jacques Juillet, ''Commanderies of Haut-Quercy - On the Chemin de Rocamadour'', 1975, 171 pages, p. 44-49 {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

List of Knights and Priests of the [[Order of St. John of Jerusalem]] who were tax collectors in Assier:<ref name="Juillet"/>

*1280: Pierre de Canis
*1291: Jean de Cazalis
*1299: Rotan de Montal who bought the domain of Mons
*1322: Helie de Lavalette, commander of Assier
*1336: Helie de Calston or Calvet, commander of Assier
*1342: Jordan de Chaldayrac, commander of Assier
*1344: Brother Pierre Marquès, Rector of Assier
*1398: Brother Hugue Benson, Rector of Assier
*1405: Brother Pierre Robert, Rector of Assier
*1470-1490 Brother Hugo de Goles, Prosecutor of the commander of [[Le Bastit]]
*1501: Jean de Valon, commander of Assier, [[Cras, Lot|Cras]], and [[Le Bastit]] who united Assier and Bastit

===The [[Hundred Years War]]===
[[File:Traité de Bretigny.svg|right|200px|thumb|1365: France after the Treaties of Brétigny and Guérande
{{Legend|#FDDCFB|Territory ceded by France to England by the [[Treaty of Brétigny]]}}]]

[[File:Tour maroc la garenie assier.jpg|left|thumb|The ruins of the ''Tour de Maroc'' at a place called ''La Garénie'', was a hideout for ''Bassorat'' during the [[Hundred Years War]].]]

From 1355, the entire [[Quercy]] region became a theatre of struggle during the [[Hundred Years War]]. The [[Edward, the Black Prince|Black Prince]] and his English troops invaded the south-west and Quercy. After the French defeat at the [[Battle of Poitiers]], the [[Treaty of Brétigny]] gave England the [[Guyenne]] and [[Gascony]]. The region was unstable because all the lords did not rally to the King of England.

Armed gangs were active for the English or on their own account. They robbed, ransomed, and massacred the population. One of these bands, under the orders of Bassorat, had their hideout at the ''Tour de Marot'' or the ''Tour de Maroc'' at a place called ''La Garénie''. Bassorat ravaged the country until 1395 when he left for [[Spain]]. The English left the region around 1450.<ref name="Carayol"/>

Assier and its surroundings were ruined, it had to repopulate the country by bringing families from [[Auvergne (province)|Auvergne]], [[Rouergue]], and elsewhere by providing favourable conditions. During this calmer period of 1450–1547 the church and the chateau were built. Many workers and tradesmen came and agriculture grew.<ref name="Carayol"/>

===The Lords of Assier===
[[File:Galiot de Genouillac 1.jpg|thumb|Galiot de Genouillac Lord of Assier and [[Grand Master of Artillery]] of France]]

From the 12th century the first lords mentioned were called the Rigaud d'Assier. One member of this family was pastor of [[Toulouse Cathedral]] and lived at the court of Pope [[John XXII]]. Some of his guests at his house in [[Avignon]] were involved in the 1317 plot against the Pope<ref>Edmond Albe, ''All around John XXII: Hugues Géraud, Bishop of Cahors - The case of poison and witchcraft in 1317'', J. Girma, Cahors, in-8, 1904, 200 pages, p. 55, [https://archive.org/stream/autourdejeanxxi00albegoog/autourdejeanxxi00albegoog_djvu.txt Read online], consulted on 13 December 2009 {{in lang|fr}}</ref> He was [[Bishop of Winchester]] from 1319 to 1323.

Raymond du Bosc, Lord of La Garénie became co-lord of Assier by marrying a Rigaud: Marguerite of Assier. One of his descendants, Augé du Bosc married Jeanne de Rassiols in 1439, Lady of [[Vaillac]]. Their daughter Catherine of Assier married Jean Ricard de Ginouillac in 1464. From their union Jacques Ricard Genouillace called ''Galiot de Genouillace'' was born in 1465 at the Chateau of Assier who had a brilliant military and diplomatic career. After his death in 1546 his body was repatriated and buried in a chapel of the Church of Assier in 1549. After the death of his son François in 1544 at the [[Battle of Cérisoles]], his daughter Jeanne became his sole heir. She married [[Viscounts and Dukes of Uzès|Charles de Crussols d'Uzes, 9th Viscount of Uzes]], in 1523. Widowed in 1543, she remarried the [[Electoral Palatinate|Palatine]] Prince Philip de Saim called Rhinegrave and converted to the [[Protestant]] religion. Their son, Jean de Beaudiné, was invited to the wedding of the future [[Henry IV of France|Henry IV]] and was killed in 1572 during the [[St. Bartholomew's Day massacre]]. Twenty years of turmoil shook the region. After the [[Edict of Nantes]], [[Figeac]], [[Cardaillac]], and Assier were governed by the Protestants for 50 years.<ref name="Carayol"/>

Jacques de Crussol, heir to Jeanne Ricard de Ginouillac, converted to [[Catholicism]]. He was named duke and [[Peerage of France|peer of France]]. In 1768 the [[Viscounts and Dukes of Uzès|9th Duke of Uzes]], François Emmanuel Crussol, sold the chateau to be demolished. The chateau and the lands left the founding family. The new co-lords of Assier were, until the [[French Revolution]], Messrs Pouzalgue, Séguy, and Montal.<ref name="Carayol"/>

===Contemporary era and recent past===

====The French Revolution in Assier====
On 14 September 1788 Jean-Pierre Séguy, [[notary]], bought the land of the ''Devèze d'Assier'' and became a co-lord of Assier. The [[French Revolution]] passed without major disorder: the main complaints concerned the redistribution of land. Jean-Pierre Séguy redistributed land he had bought to all the inhabitants of Assier present and future (from pregnant women) who each received 0.34 hectares. He was mayor of the commune from 1801 to 1827.<ref name="Carayol"/>

====The first schools====
Following the ''Guizot law'' communes had to have a public school. On 21 December 1834 the council appointed Jean-Pierre Bruel to run the school. He received two hundred francs per year as well as sums paid by the wealthiest families for the education of their children: 1 franc to learn to read, 1 franc 50 centimes for reading and writing, and 2 francs for mathematics. Twelve poor students were taught without charge.<ref name="Carayol"/>

In 1853, a free school for girls was headed by Marie Bessac (Sister Victoire) assisted by Jeanne Turenne (Sister Jeanne). They were paid by the commune. On 25 October 1858 Jean-Pierre Bruel died and Jean Delsériez succeeded him in 1859. In 1881 an assistant position was created as numbers then were 75 boys and 60 girls. A nursery for infants was created next to the girls' school: the cost was 1.5 francs per student per month. The position is given to Sister Jeanne Turenne. On 20 August the position of assistant to the boys' school was created.<ref name="Carayol"/>

In 1902 a secular girls' school opened. In 1905 schooling was compulsory and free for all children over five years. In 1926, the municipal council protested against the abolition of the post of Assistant for the Public School. In 1957 construction began on a new school for Assier.<ref name="Carayol"/>

====Fight against poverty====
During the mandates of Antoine Pezet and Joseph Carbonel from 1848 to 1870 many decisions were taken to improve the lot of the poorest:<ref name="Carayol"/>

*In 1849, funding from the office of charity;
*In 1851, buying a house for school and free for the poor;
*In 1853, funding for private schools;
*In 1856, a tax of two centimes per inhabitant to buy medicines distributed free to the poor and the creation of a charity workhouse for able-bodied poor;
*In 1857 there were more beggars in the town. The council decided on a special tax of 15 cents per franc to help the disabled in the commune;
*In 1867, the teacher, Mr. Delsyriez, was encouraged by the council to teach classes for adults;
*In 1869, a contribution of three centimes for the supply of medicines to the poor.

====Technical progress====

=====The railway=====
[[File:Gare assier exterieur.jpg|200px|thumb|Assier railway station and water tower]]

In 1854 two rail projects passing through Assier were considered then abandoned. A [[Classification yard]] was to have been located in the commune and there were plans to build a hotel-restaurant with 16 rooms near the proposed route of the line. This is the large isolated house at a place called Frejayrie, one kilometre from the centre of Assier.<ref name="Carayol"/>

In 1860, the [[Compagnie du chemin de fer de Paris à Orléans]] started building the Brive-Rodez line passing through Assier station. Four fatal accidents occurred in the commune which killed a [[navvy]] and three workers. The line was opened in September 1862.<ref name="Carayol"/>

=====Other modes of travel=====
In 1905 and 1910 tramway projects were considered to serve Assier station and neighbouring communes: a line from [[Gourdon, Lot|Gourdon]] to [[Le Bourg]] via [[Quissac, Lot|Quissac]] and [[Espédaillac]]. Soon, however, the car made its appearance. In 1923 the Municipal Council was required to limit the speed of cars to less than 15&nbsp;km/h in the town centre. In 1925 the widow of Thimoté Gardou installed the first petrol pump and the commune received 200 francs per year. In 1932 buses ran between Assier and [[Cahors]].<ref name="Carayol"/>

=====Electrification=====
On 11  October  1922 the council appointed a commission to study the connection of the village to a power grid. On 9 May 1926 appropriations for the establishment of a union for electrification were voted. On 30 October the mayors of [[Cardaillac]], [[Fourmagnac]], [[Fons, Lot|Fons]], [[Reyrevignes]], and Assier met and decided that the electric current should be supplied by the hydro-electric plant of Mr. Barrière located on the ''Drauzou'' but in 1927 the council denounced the agreement with Mr. Barrière on the grounds that his plant could not supply power permanently because the flow of the Drauzou was too irregular. In 1928 the commune had to pay a 225,000 franc fine for non-compliance with the agreement but appealed and was successful in 1932.<ref name="Carayol"/>

The commune then joined the electrification union of the north of [[Lot (department)|Lot]] and, in 1930, the concession was given to the Bourbonnais company. The contract was signed on 19 February 1931 and on 17 April 1932 there was the inauguration and celebration of the electricity supply.<ref name="Carayol"/>

In the village the telephone and electricity lines have been buried since 1980.

=====Access to water=====
[[File:Abreuvoir foirail assier.jpg|thumb|A watering hole dug on the Assier fairgrounds]]

Prior to 1962, the inhabitants of Assier accessed water through fountains or cisterns. There were shortages and supply was a constant concern of councils:<ref name="Carayol"/>

*On 10 May 1847 the council took the decision to widen the stream and establish a reservoir for watering livestock. It was also decided to dig ponds on the fairgrounds;
*In summer 1489, a serious drought deprived men and animals of water. The commune took the decision to line the Bournel pond;
*In 1860 the council took a loan of 1,100 francs to flush the stream and to build a [[Lavoir]] (Public laundry) and a trough. New investments were decided in 1871 and 1873;
*In 1874 the council bought a pump and rehabilitated 140 metres of pipe feeding the fountain of repose;
*In 1899 Mr. Léon Amouroux donated 5,000 francs to provide water from the Barade fountain to public places. The system, used from 1900 to 1962 and directed by Mr. Boisset, included cisterns in the church square at the foot of the chateau tower. It ended with a fire hydrant at the Bridge over the stream.
*In 1952, a severe drought necessitated the padlocking of pumps at certain times of day and night. Rachel Batut was designated and remunerated for this task.

===Heraldry===
{{Blazon-arms
|img1=Blason de la ville de Assier (Lot).svg
|legend1=Arms of Assier
|text=

'''Blazon:'''<br/>
''Chequey of Azure and Argent debruised by a bend of Or.''
}}

==Administration==
'''List of Successive Mayors'''<ref>[http://www.francegenweb.org/mairesgenweb/resultcommune.php?id=6862 List of Mayors of France] {{in lang|fr}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! From !! To !! Name !! Party !! Position
|-
| 1793 || 1796 || Jean-Pierre Capelle ||   || President of the Communal Council 
|-
| 1796 || 1801 || Jean-Pierre Adgié ||   || President of the Communal Council 
|-
| 1801 || 1827 || Jean-Pierre Séguy ||   || Notary 
|-
| 1827 || 1828 || Jean-Pierre Amouroux ||   || Lawyer 
|-
| 1828 || 1830 || Antoine Pouzalgue ||   || Mayor by decree, Doctor
|-
| 1830 || 1832 || Antoine Pezet ||   || Mayor by decree
|-
| 1832 || 1837 || Pierre Barrué ||   || 
|-
| 1837 || 1846 || Antoine Pezet ||   || 
|-
| 1846 || 1848 || Jean-Pierre Amouroux ||   || 
|-
| 1848 || 1865 || Antoine Pezet ||   || 
|-
| 1865 || 1870 || Joseph Carbonel ||   || 
|-
| 1870 || 1878 || Jean-Pierre Adgié ||   || 
|-
| 1878 || 1908 || Gabriel Murat ||   || 
|-
| 1908 || 1910 || Louis Doucet ||   || 
|-
| 1910 || 1913 || Léon Amouroux ||   || 
|-
| 1913 || 1925 || Antonin Carayol ||   || 
|-
| 1925 || 1929 || Léon Amouroux ||   || 
|-
| 1929 || 1943 || Prosper Colomb ||   || 
|-
| 1943 || 1944 || Jacques Murat ||   || President of the [[Special delegation (France)|Special Delegation]]
|-
| 1944 || 1944 || Jacques Nouaillac ||   || President of the [[Special delegation (France)|Special Delegation]]
|-
| 1944 || 1944 || Georges Hirondelle ||   || President of the [[Comité départemental de libération|Liberation Committee]]
|-
| 1944 || 1953 || Prosper Colomb ||   || 
|-
| 1953 || 1953 || Louis Pélissier ||   || 
|-
| 1953 || 1965 || Raoul Bousquet ||   || 
|-
| 1965 || 1977 || Jean Labanhie ||   || 
|-
| 1977 || 1983 || Georges Hirondelle ||   || 
|-
| 1983 || 1989 || Paul Hug ||   || 
|-
| 1989 || 2014 || Jean Lafon ||   || 
|-
| 2014 || 2020 || Patrick Roques ||   || 
|-
| 2020 || 2026 || Maxime Hug ||   || 
|}

==Demography==
The inhabitants of the commune are known as ''Assiérois'' or ''Assiéroises'' in French.<ref>[https://www.habitants.fr/lot-46 Le nom des habitants du 46 - Lot], habitants.fr</ref> In 1620 there were 115 [[Feu fiscal|fires]] in Assier. In 1750 there were 500 communicants at Mass.<ref name="Carayol"/> In 2017 the commune had 651 inhabitants.

{{Historical populations
| align = none
| cols = 2
| percentages = pagr
| source = EHESS<ref name=ehess>{{Cassini-Ehess|1536|Assier}}</ref> and INSEE<ref name=pophist>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4515315?geo=COM-46009#ancre-POP_T1 Population en historique depuis 1968], INSEE</ref>
|1793 |660
|1800 |655
|1806 |496
|1821 |717
|1831 |765
|1836 |765
|1841 |799
|1846 |776
|1851 |812
|1856 |800
|1861 |928
|1866 |767
|1872 |788
|1876 |801
|1881 |784
|1886 |828
|1891 |816
|1896 |803
|1901 |736
|1906 |719
|1911 |806
|1921 |749
|1926 |715
|1931 |869
|1936 |905
|1946 |661
|1954 |622
|1962 |615
|1968 |557
|1975 |512
|1982 |467
|1990 |533
|1999 |535
|2007 |678
|2012 |684
|2017 |651
}}

===Average life expectancy by decade===
<div class="center">
<timeline>
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  id:lightgrey value:gray(0.9)
  id:darkgrey  value:gray(0.7)
  id:sfondo value:rgb(1,1,1)
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ImageSize  = width:1000 height:300
PlotArea   = left:50 bottom:30 top:30 right:50
DateFormat = x.y
Period =from:30 till:60
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ScaleMinor = gridcolor:lightgrey increment:1 start:30
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  bar:1691 text:1691
  bar:1701 text:1701 
  bar:1711 text:1711
  bar:1721 text:1721 
  bar:1731 text:1731
  bar:1741 text:1741 
  bar:1751 text:1751
  bar:1761 text:1761 
  bar:1771 text:1771
  bar:1781 text:1781 
  bar:1791 text:1791
  bar:1801 text:1801 
  bar:1811 text:1811
  bar:1821 text:1821 
  bar:1831 text:1831
  bar:1841 text:1841 
  bar:1851 text:1851
  bar:1861 text:1861
  bar:1871 text:1871
  bar:1881 text:1881
  bar:1891 text:1891
  bar:1901 text:1901

PlotData=
 color:barra width:15 align:left  
  bar:1681 from:30 till:47.1
  bar:1691 from:30 till:44.55
  bar:1701 from:30 till:52.75
  bar:1711 from:30 till:34.63
  bar:1721 from:30 till:52.27
  bar:1731 from:30 till:52.32 
  bar:1741 from:30 till:46.81
  bar:1751 from:30 till:54.41 
  bar:1761 from:30 till:38.97
  bar:1771 from:30 till:39.94
  bar:1781 from:30 till:35.06
  bar:1791 from:30 till:43.48
  bar:1801 from:30 till:42.25
  bar:1811 from:30 till:40.89
  bar:1821 from:30 till:42.97 
  bar:1831 from:30 till:43.09
  bar:1841 from:30 till:36.97
  bar:1851 from:30 till:34.42
  bar:1861 from:30 till:34.42
  bar:1871 from:30 till:41.65
  bar:1881 from:30 till:43.96
  bar:1891 from:30 till:49.03
  bar:1901 from:30 till:43.29
</timeline>
</div>

==Economy==

===Agriculture===
[[File:Halle assier.jpg|thumb|The Market Hall was built in 1884.]]
Assier is a rural community which had a dozen farms at the end of the 20th century. Operators abandoned [[polyculture]] (cereals and fruit trees) to turn to the production of meat and milk. 95% of the Limargue land is exploited, 20% of the land on the plateau is for sheep while the remaining 80% is left fallow.

Fairs were very important up to the 19th century and equalled those of [[Figeac]] and [[Gramat]]. A market hall was built in 1884 for the sale of [[cereal]]s, [[chestnut]]s, [[apple]]s and [[nut (fruit)|nut]]s. These products declined in the 20th century as a result of evolution in transport, the mechanisation of farms, and trading by the farmer. Since 1968 the council has taken steps to revive the market for sheep. In 1980 studies were carried out for the implementation of a covered sheep market which was inaugurated in July 1997 in the industrial zone. It trades between 1,500 and 2,000 animals every Monday.<ref name="Carayol"/>

Assier has a cattle market<ref>[http://www.oaba.fr/pdf/reglementations/MarchesBestiauxDEF.pdf ''Cattle markets - Security of people - protection of animals''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125045511/http://www.oaba.fr/pdf/reglementations/MarchesBestiauxDEF.pdf |date=January 25, 2014 }}, Gilles Rousseau and Dr. Jean-Pierre Kieffer, OABA (''Œuvre d’Assistance aux Bêtes d’Abattoirs'') and FMBV (''Fédération française des marchés de bétail vif''), oaba website, consulted on 27 January 2010 {{in lang|fr}}</ref> and an agricultural cooperative.

===Trades, services, and crafts===
Many shops and services are available on the town: butchers, bakers, a [[Pâtisserie]], a bar, hairdressers, restaurants, a florist, and a grocery store; as well as tradesmen: roofers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, heating, and a taxi.

A pharmacy is located in the town centre.

===Industrial area===
A company making high quality walnut veneers is established in the industrial zone.<ref>[http://www.france-noyer.com/index.htm France Noyer SAS] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517132144/http://www.france-noyer.com/index.htm |date=May 17, 2014 }}, consulted on 28 December 2009 {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

The cooperative society ''Scop O'Chêne'' was established at Assier as part of its expansion. It manufactures building frames: structures used as assembly modules, and wood furnishings. It had 7 employees in 2009.<ref>[http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2009/04/26/597783-Assier-Scop-O-Chene-ecologique-jusqu-au-dernier-copeau.html ''Assier. Scop O Chêne, ecological to the last shaving''], Lae. B., 2009, La Dépêche, Ladepeche website, consulted on 28 December 2009 {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

==Culture and heritage==

===Civil heritage===
Assier has a number of buildings and structures that are registered as historical monuments:
*'''Old [[Dovecote]]''' at the Chateau (1537)[[File:Logo monument historique - rouge sans texte.svg|18px]]<ref>Ministry of Culture, Mérimée {{Mérimée|PA46000037|PA46000037 Old Dovecote}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref>
*The '''Grange de Bargues''' (16th century)[[File:Logo monument historique - rouge sans texte.svg|18px]]<ref>Ministry of Culture, Mérimée {{Mérimée|PA46000024|PA46000024 Grange de Bargues}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref>
*The '''[[Dolmen]] in the ''Bois des Bœufs'''''[[File:Logo monument historique - rouge sans texte.svg|18px]]<ref name=Dolmen/>
*The '''Chateau''' (16th century)[[File:Logo monument historique - rouge sans texte.svg|18px]]<ref>Ministry of Culture, Mérimée {{Mérimée|PA00094967|PA00094967 Chateau}} {{in lang|fr}}{{Camera}}</ref>

The Chateau contains a number of items that are registered as historical objects:
*The Tomb of Anne de Genouillac (16th century)[[File:Logo monument historique - noir sans texte.svg|18px]]<ref>Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM46000356|PM46000356 Tomb of Anne de Genouillac}} {{in lang|fr}}{{Camera}}</ref>
*3 Paintings: Allegorical compositions with notable people (17th century)[[File:Logo monument historique - noir sans texte.svg|18px]]<ref>Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM46000008|PM46000008 3 Paintings: Allegorical compositions with notable people}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref>
*13 Paintings: Trophies (18th century)[[File:Logo monument historique - noir sans texte.svg|18px]]<ref>Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM46000007|PM46000007 13 Paintings: Trophies}} {{in lang|fr}}{{Camera}}</ref>
*A Door (16th century)[[File:Logo monument historique - noir sans texte.svg|18px]]<ref>Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM46000006|PM46000006 Door}} {{in lang|fr}}{{Camera}}</ref>

<gallery>
Pigeonnier-tourdu château d'Assier.JPG|Old Dovecote at the Chateau
File:Pigeonnier hameau de Mons.JPG|A Dovecote at Mons on the site of the old Commandery
File:Grange de Bargues.JPG|The Grange de Bargues
File:Chateau assier origine.jpg|Plan of the Original Chateau
Schloss Assier Portal 1899.jpg|The Chateau by Eugène Trutat in 1899
File:Chateau d'Assier 02.jpg|View of the chateau
File:Château, Assier, Lot (3097468751).jpg|Inside courtyard of the Chateau
File:Tour chateau assier.jpg|The Chateau tower
Château d'Assier - 20050819.jpg|The Facade of the Chateau
Chateau d'Assier 06.jpg|Remains of the Chateau
</gallery>

===Religious heritage===
The '''Church of Saint-Pierre'''[[File:Logo monument historique - rouge sans texte.svg|18px]]<ref>Ministry of Culture, Mérimée {{Mérimée|PA00094969|PA00094969 Church of Saint-Pierre}} {{in lang|fr}}{{Camera}}</ref> is the only [[Renaissance]] religious building in [[Lot (department)|Lot]]. Begun in 1540 and completed in 1549 the church is in monumental style and solely dedicated to the glory of Galiot de Genouillace with his reclining statue and the epitaph "After death, good name remains".

An outer frieze in low relief surrounds the monument. This profane and warlike decoration is unusual on a religious building. Galiot de Genouillace saw the church as a monument housing his tomb and that of his descendants. The grounds evoke scenes of war with Italy in the passage through the Alps before the victory of the [[Battle of Marignano]].

Jean Bergue remarked in his 1987 study that this artistic and historical masterpiece has visibly deteriorated over a hundred years.<ref>''La frise de l'église d'Assier'' (The Frieze on the Church of Assier), Jean Bergue, Société des Études du Lot, Bulletin of the Society for Literary, Scientific, and Artistic studies of Lot (BSEL) collection, Vol. CVIII (108), January 1987, pp. 1-34, [http://www.quercy.net/institutions/sel/sommaire_bsel.html Read online] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225204540/http://www.quercy.net/institutions/sel/sommaire_bsel.html |date=February 25, 2009 }} {{in lang|fr}}; This article studied the church frieze and its recent degradation. There are many pages of photographs.</ref>

<Gallery>
File:Assier - Frise sculptée de l'église Saint-Pierre - Panneau de la frise sur le ressaut de la porte de la chapelle seigneuriale.JPG|Frieze over the Chapel door
File:Assier - Frise sculptée de l'église Saint-Pierre - Emblème de capitaine de 25 lances - Détail.JPG|Frieze depicting the emblem of the Captain of 25 lances
File:Assier - Frise sculptée de l'église Saint-Pierre- Scène de combat antique - Détail.JPG|Frieze depicting ancient combat
File:Assier - Frise sculptée de l'église Saint-Pierre - Porte de ville.JPG|Frieze depicting the door to the town
File:Frise eglise assier canon.jpg|Detail showing a cannon
File:Frise eglise assier chateau.jpg|Detail showing a château
</Gallery>

The sculptural elements represent the triumph of the artillery with the cannon the most widespread theme namely: the [[Culverin]] bastard, palace sieges, [[round shot]] with three flames, ancillary parts of a very high precision that make this frieze a true archival document on the art of war at the time with no equivalent.

There are [[sword]]s with a [[Fleur-de-lis]] [[Baldric]] recalling the charge by the [[Grand Squire of France]] next to the collar of the [[Order of St. Michael]] which was the highest distinction of the time.

There is a Funeral Chapel north of the first bay of the nave. It contains the tomb of Galiot de Genouillace who is represented on the marble reclining statue in court dress and then in armour leaning on a cannon and surrounded by bullets and bags of gunpowder.

The vault of this chapel is quite remarkable and unique in France: there is only one other example of this architecture in Europe - the monastery of San Domingo at [[Valencia]] in Spain. Both have a vault and a dome with triple ribs and [[Lunette]]s which give the impression of a star with a complicated design or a huge spiderweb canvas in which it is thought the final cut to size of some stones was performed after laying.

The Church of Saint Pierre contains three items which are registered as historical objects:
*The Tomb of Gailliot de Genouillac (16th century)[[File:Logo monument historique - noir sans texte.svg|18px]]<ref>Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM46000005|PM46000005 Tomb of Gailliot de Genouillac}} {{in lang|fr}}{{Camera}}</ref>
*Commemorative plaque (16th century)[[File:Logo monument historique - noir sans texte.svg|18px]]<ref>Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM46000004|PM46000004 Commemorative plaque}} {{in lang|fr}}{{Camera}}</ref>
*Enclosure of the Chapel of Galliot de Genouilhac (16th century)[[File:Logo monument historique - noir sans texte.svg|18px]]<ref>Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM46000003|PM46000003 Enclosure of the Chapel of Galliot de Genouilhac}} {{in lang|fr}}{{Camera}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Eglise assier face (cropped).jpg|The Church of Saint-Pierre
File:Assier - Église Saint-Pierre- Façade occidentale.JPG|South side of the church
File:Statue cote eglise assier.jpg|Statue in a niche on the side of the church
File:Portail eglise assier.jpg|Entrance to the church
File:Eglise d'Assier (Lot) 04.jpg|Inside the church
File:Assier - Église Saint-Pierre - Nef.JPG|The [[Nave]]
File:Assier - Église Saint-Pierre - Vitrail Annonciation.JPG|Stained glass window
File:Eglise d'Assier (Lot) 05.jpg|The Funeral Chapel enclosure
File:Assier - Chapelle funéraire de Galiot de Genouillac à l'église Saint-Pierre - Clôture.jpg|The Funeral Chapel of Galiot de Genouillac
File:Assier - Chapelle funéraire de Galiot de Genouillac à l'église Saint-Pierre - Tombeau de Galiot de Genouillac.jpg|The Tomb of Galiot de Genouillac
File:Assier - Chapelle funéraire de Galiot de Genouillac à l'église Saint-Pierre - Voûte -1.JPG|The ceiling of the Funeral Chapel
</gallery>

==Local life==
[[File:Ecole publique assier.jpg|thumb|The Public School]]

===Education===
The Assier school enrols children from eleven neighbouring communes. In September 2009, the nursery school had two classes and the primary school three. The staff consists of seven teachers and two assistants.<ref>[http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2009/09/08/668286-Assier-Une-rentree-des-ecoles-bien-armee.html ''Assier. Back to school well armed''], September 2009, Online 8 September 2009, La Dépêche du midi, Ladepeche website, consulted on 29 December 2009 {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

===Associations===
A festival of jazz, improvisation, and theatre has taken place every year since 1986 in the chateau, the church, the gardens, and in the squares.<ref>[http://assier.festival.free.fr Assier Festival - Assier in all its conditions], 2009, consulted on 27 January 2010 {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

The REISSA Association (Meetings, Events, Initiatives, Support, Social Activities) manages the events in the village and the ALSH (Home Leisure Without Accommodation) for children.

The ''Cyber-base'' located in the House of services provides access to the Internet for all.<ref>[http://assier.cyber-base.org Cyber-base - Assier - Internet for all], 2009, consulted on 27 January 2010 {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

===Public services===
[[File:Pont bascule assier.jpg|200px|thumb|The public [[bascule bridge]] in Assier]]

Assier has a [[post office]], a [[railway station]], and a public weighbridge near the fairgrounds in the direction of [[Livernon]].

===Health===
In 2009 Assier inaugurated the Causse Medical Centre.<ref name="Medical">[http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2009/04/20/594528-Assier-Maison-medicale-un-appel-aux-jeunes-medecins.html Assier. Medical Centre: an appeal for young doctors], 2009, La Dépêche, Ladepeche website, consulted on 27 January 2010 {{in lang|fr}}</ref> The town also has a pharmacy and a nursing centre in the village centre.

A nursing home for the elderly is located at ''Les Pradels''.

The nearest hospitals are located at [[Figeac]] (21&nbsp;km, 20 minutes by the D653 and D840) and at [[Cahors]] (57&nbsp;km, 52 minutes by the D653).

==Notable people linked to the commune==
*'''Jacques Ricard de Genouillace''' called ''Galiot de Genouillac'', military man and French diplomat of the [[Renaissance]], born in Assier chateau in 1465.
*'''Louis Brives''', French politician born in Assier
*'''[[Robert Hue]]''', French politician, occasional inhabitant of Assier.<ref name="Medical"/>

==See also==
*[[Communes of the Lot department]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/accueil?c=1.8775,44.6761&z=7.92265E-5&l=GEOGRAPHICALGRIDSYSTEMS.MAPS.3D$GEOPORTAIL:OGC:WMTS@aggregate(1)&l=ADMINISTRATIVEUNITS.BOUNDARIES$GEOPORTAIL:OGC:WMTS(1)&permalink=yes Assier on Géoportail], [[Institut géographique national|National Geographic Institute]] (IGN) website {{in lang|fr}}
*[http://rumsey.geogarage.com/maps/cassinige.html?lat=44.6761&lon=1.8775&zoom=13 ''Aßier'' on the 1750 Cassini Map]

{{Commons category|Assier}}
{{Lot communes}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Communes of Lot (department)]]
[[Category:Quercy]]