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| > Coat-of-Arms > Commune description > Origin of name > History > Heritage > Town Hall
Red, with a gold fox rampant; in the top right-hand corner, a blue square with three silver bird wings”. These arms refer to the name of the commune (las volps: the fox) and recall the presence here of the Donnet family. |
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 Commune description
Saint-Sornin is one of the three founding communes of the Pays de Pompadour Community of Communes. |
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| Origin of name
Saint-Sornin Lavolps, formerly Saint-Sernin las Volps (later las Vaux), from Latin vulpibus: foxes. The area was known for having a large fox population. |
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| History
St Saturnin, the first Bishop of Toulouse, seems to have given his name to the commune. Later, the name appeared as Saint Sernin in the 11th century. In the early 19th century, the commune was quite wild, and its inhabitants matched the countryside: rather boorish. This slowed the development of the commune, where people would argue over futile matters. But in 1860, the arrival of the workers building the railway changed people’s thinking, at the same time making possible the first real demographic and economic growth. Numerous workers settled here with their families. Two hamlets in particular expanded: Boissiaux and Enségure. Of the first, only St Roch chapel remains, which is said to have been moved to the hamlet of Lignac around 1820. The second, the first traces of which are said to date from 650 AD, retains some interesting architectural features. |
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| Heritage
• The early 15th-century cruciform church, listed as an Historic Building on 9th February 1927, is under the patronage of St Radegonde, who was Queen of France in the 6th century. Note especially the campanile belfry, the arched doorway with columns and tores, the capitals with oak and kale leaves, the sanctuary and choir vaulting with prismatic ribbing, the altars, statues, and so on. • St Roch Chapel: according to oral tradition, this oratory is said to have been transported to its present location around 1820.Visits upon request, blessing of herds and crops at a Mass celebrated on 16th August, the feast day of St Roch. • St Radegonde’s Spring: St Radegonde, Queen of France in the 6th century, protectress of the harvest, kept wolves away. The waters of this spring, a place of pilgrimage, cured skin complaints and sickly children. • Lakes: open for fishing. • Vieux Moulin Barn: christened ‘Le Moulin des Jeunes’, a leisure and cultural activities centre and meeting-place for young and not-so-young alike. • Cultural & Sports Space: a venue where clubs and societies can meet. • Race course: many equestrian events take place here throughout the year (racing, National Donkey Day, eventing, greyhound racing, etc.). • Municipal camp site: 2-star, in a peaceful, leafy setting close to the lakes. There are also 9 “Chalet Découverte” chalets. Open from June to October. |
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| Town Hall - 19 230 Saint-Sornin Lavolps
Tel: +33 (0)5 55 73 32 61 - Fax: +33 (0)5 55 73 37 02 Opening hours:
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