LE VILLAGE DE ROUANS

The forms of the name of the commune have changed a lot over time: Rotohenge / Rothoenge in 1036, Rotundum / Rodente between 1038 and 1046, Rouant / Roem between 1114 and 1134, Rouant / Roene / Rouand in 1179, 1269 and 1287, Ruant / Roene / Rouant in 1406, Roant between 1629 and 1633 and Rouans as early as 1706. According to Noël Tonnerre, the first spelling of Rotohenge would be of Visigothic origin, because the cartulary of Saint-Serge mentions the existence of a "villa" of Visigothic foundation between Vue and Rouans. The name comes from the Gallic Rotomagos or Ratumagos meaning wheel market or racecourse. In addition, it can be said that the commune changed its name during the revolutionary period, to be temporarily called Barra-les-Marais. Middle Ages The abbey of Buzay was founded in 1135 by the monks of the order of Cîteaux at the request of Conan III, Duke of Brittany, and his mother Ermengarde d'Anjou. It was during this period that the parish of Rouans developed in an increasing way, starting from the abbey of Buzay, the real nerve centre of Rouans. Bernard de Clairvaux, during his visit around 1144, was unhappy to find the abbey in a state of misery. He then asked the monks to return to the mother abbey of Clairvaux, but an agreement with the Duke of Brittany made them stay. Trade develops with the navigation on the Loire and the Tenu. Modern period At the end of the 15th century, after the union of Brittany with France, the abbey came under the commendation, i.e. it was granted to a layman or a lord by the King of France. From the end of the 16th century, the Gondi family manages the abbey. In the 17th century, its possessions in the country of Retz are important. On February 14, 1713, by order of the King, the Société du canal de Buzay was created, bringing together the residents of the Tenu marshes and the lake of Grand Lieu. Their project included the construction of a canal from Messan to Buzay to facilitate navigation and water management. This canal, known as de Buzay, was completed sixty years later, in 1775. Contemporary period The abbey, of which only the tower remains today, was burnt down during the Vendée wars. It was sold as a national asset. The ruins were then used as a quarry by the owners for the surrounding buildings. During the Second World War, the Tower of Buzay is used by the Germans as a watchtower. The French tried to recover it during the night of 6 August 1944. Milestones in the history of the commune 1135 : foundation of the abbey of Buzay 1713 : creation of the Société du canal de Buzay 1775 : construction of the Buzay canal 1986: shooting of the film " La Grand Chemin " by Jean-Loup Hubert Source: www.shpr.fr