Anthon (French pronunciation: [ɑ̃tɔ̃]) is a commune in the Isère department in southeastern France.

Anthon
The town hall of Anthon
The town hall of Anthon
Coat of arms of Anthon
Location of Anthon
Map
Anthon is located in France
Anthon
Anthon
Anthon is located in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Anthon
Anthon
Coordinates: 45°47′30″N 5°10′14″E / 45.7917°N 5.1706°E / 45.7917; 5.1706
CountryFrance
RegionAuvergne-Rhône-Alpes
DepartmentIsère
ArrondissementLa Tour-du-Pin
CantonCharvieu-Chavagneux
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Cédric Camp[1]
Area
1
8.82 km2 (3.41 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
1,120
 • Density130/km2 (330/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
38011 /38280
Elevation182–249 m (597–817 ft)
(avg. 200 m or 660 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Geography edit

Anthon stands on the left bank of the river Rhône opposite its confluence with the Ain, about 30 kilometres upstream from the centre of Lyon. Its inhabitants are Anthonois.

History edit

The place was originally established as a town by one Antonius Nepos. The only one we have named in Roman history was the fellow consul of Cicero in 62 BCE. He was Caius Antonius Nepos, uncle of the triumvir Marcus Antonius and second son of Marcus Antonius Orator.

Caius Antonius Nepos was condemned for misappropriation of public funds and exiled in 59 BCE. He found refuge in Cephellenia according to some and in Gaul according to others. We might assume therefore that Anthon was the place.

A poem of about 450 CE, by Sidonius Apollinaris celebrates the wines of Anthon.

The Lords of Anthon have been from time immemorial, the tenants of this land. Nowhere in the period of Charlemagne's empire, nor in those around that period is there an indication of their having obtained it. We are therefore left to conclude that they have held the land since Antiquity.

Guichard I brought fame on himself during the First Crusade in 1096. His distant descendant, Louis d'Anthon disappeared in 1326; the manor was awarded to his younger sister, who ceded it to her aunt, spouse of Hugues de Genève.

It passed next to the Saluces. The d'Anthons had as a coat of arms (blazon): "gules, dragon or with human head."

The d'Anthon family survived some time through a cadet branch, the Varaxs which died out in the fifteenth century. The descent of Louis d'Anthon is not known. Several branches of the d'Anthons or Dantons claim descent from him.

There was also the "Battle of Anthon" which took place on 11 June 1430. Louis de Chalon, strengthened by his impressive numerical superiority with his 4 000 men, calmly advanced to the aid of the château de Colombier but he did not know that it had already been captured. He set out on the way from Anton to Colombier which winds through the woods but there were 1,600 soldiers from the Dauphiné (that is to say his enemies) lying in ambush in the thickets near the village of Janneyrias.

The Orangist (supporting the House of Orange), strung out along the narrow path, was sorely surprised throughout. The powerful Orangist cavalry was caught in a trap. Soon, there was general confusion and they were heading for Anthon; every man for himself. The fugitives abandoned arms and baggage and ran away through the wood. More than 200 men drowned themselves in trying to cross the tumultuous Rhône. That is how the 'Battle of Anthon' ended, with the Dauphiné saved.

Administration edit

List of mayors
period name party background
2001-2008 Pierre Robert
2008-2014 Bruno Bon
Earlier data not available.

Population edit

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1968 225—    
1975 264+2.31%
1982 333+3.37%
1990 697+9.67%
1999 917+3.09%
2007 943+0.35%
2012 1,017+1.52%
2017 1,061+0.85%
Source: INSEE[3]

Sights edit

  • Ancient tower
  • 19th century church

Personalities edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 2 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021". The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE

External links edit