priest administering justice. From the 10th century Argentat is known to have had a priory and a priest in a walled city. The town depended on a religious lord, the Prior of Carennac, and a lay lord, the Viscount of Turenne. Guarding his rights the Viscounty did not grant any charter of liberties and the local community had to be content until, in 1615, parish trustees were appointed to manage it. However, from 1263, the Turennes conceded an important market on the Saint Andrew's day to the town which is the oldest fair in Lower Limousin. Argentat sided with the Huguenots in the Wars of religion which created a troubled situation for half a century. In the 17th century, with the Counter-Reformation and the subsequent establishment of the Recollects and the Poor Clares around 1633 and the Ursulines in 1637, the struggles gradually subsided. With the annexation of Viscounty to the Crown in 1738, Argentat became the seat of a sub-delegation of the management of Limoges. The town experienced significant economic growth in the 18th and 19th centuries from Inland navigation by scows, which were known locally as courpet, that allowed the delivery of goods (mainly oak staves for cooperage and carassonne-stakes for grapevines) to the Bordeaux region. This activity began to decline at the end of the 19th century following the outbreak of phylloxera, which devastated the vineyards, and the inauguration of the PO Corrèze railway between Tulle and Argentat in 1904 (this line remained in operation until 1970). Heraldry Administration List of Successive Mayors Twinning Argentat has twinning associations with: Bad König (Germany). Rural community of Sakal (Senegal). Demography In 2012 the commune had 3,005 inhabitants. Culture and heritage Civil heritage There are four sites in the commune that are registered as historical monuments: The Eyrial Manor at Rue Theil (1457) The Barns/Stables next to the hospital (18th century) The Grave de Roland Menhir at La Marque (Neolithic) The Chateau du Bac (16th century). The façade is from the 18th century and the dovecote from the 16th century. Other sites of interest The Dordogne is an impressive sight and flows beneath a viaduct, Le Pont de la République, linking the north and south sections of the town. Heritage House contains a Painting: Portrait of Antoine Veilhan (1650) which is registered as an historical object. The Boatmen's cross The Lestourgie Masonry Pier from the 19th century with a beautiful